After South Dakota State University: graduation, pay and debt
Brookings, South Dakota · Public · 9,198 undergrads
60% of South Dakota State University students finish within six years, the typical student earns $58,802 ten years after starting and graduates leave with $21,008 in federal loans at the median.
The short answers
$58.8k
median pay 10 years after starting college.
60%
finish within six years.
42%
finish in four years.
84%
of first-years come back for year two.
$21k
median federal debt at graduation.
76%
of borrowers were paying down their loans three years after leaving.
All the federal numbers
Finishing
Finished in four yearsIPEDS, fall 2023
42%
Finished within six yearsIPEDS, fall 2023
60%
First-years who came back for year twoCollege Scorecard, fall 2024
84%
Men who finished within six yearsIPEDS, students who started in 2017
54%
Women who finished within six yearsIPEDS, students who started in 2017
65%
Students in that six-year groupIPEDS, students who started in 2017
2,200
Earned a degree or certificate here within eight yearsIPEDS, full-time students who started in 2015
60%
Still enrolled here after eight yearsIPEDS, full-time students who started in 2015
24%
Students in that eight-year groupIPEDS, full-time students who started in 2015
2,210
Pay after college
Median pay 6 years after starting collegeCollege Scorecard
$54,220
Median pay 10 years after starting collegeCollege Scorecard, 2022-23
$58,802
Earning more than $25,000 six years after startingCollege Scorecard, earlier release
77%
Debt and paying it back
Median federal debt, students who graduatedCollege Scorecard, 2024-25
$21,008
Median federal debt, everyone who borrowed (finished or not)College Scorecard, earlier release
$16,246
Median federal debt, students with a Pell GrantCollege Scorecard, earlier release
$18,250
Median federal debt, students without a Pell GrantCollege Scorecard, earlier release
$14,791
Paying down their loans 3 years after leavingCollege Scorecard, 2024-25
76%
Paying down their loans 5 years after leavingCollege Scorecard, earlier release
80%
Paying down their loans 7 years after leavingCollege Scorecard, earlier release
85%
Where these numbers come from
- Admit rate and applicants: IPEDS, fall 2024 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
- Cost, pay and debt: College Scorecard, 2024-25 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
Updated Oct 31, 2026Spot a mistake?How we get our numbers