Computer Software and Media Applications at Dakota State University
SD · Bachelor's Degree · CIP 11.08
Executive Summary
Graduates with a Computer Software and Media Applications degree from Dakota State University earn a median salary of $47,892 within five years of graduation. Adjusted for the cost of living in SD, this represents a national purchasing power equivalent of $51,058. The degree typically pays for itself in 13.8 years.
Quick Insights
How this degree looks at a glance
A fast read on salary range, break-even speed, living-cost impact, and where bachelor's graduates from this school usually land.
Salary Ranges
Starting Range
$38,186
Typical Career
$47,892
Top Performers
$60,682
Estimated break-even: 13.8 years.
Debt-to-Income Check
$319
Estimated comfortable monthly loan payment
Typical monthly pay is approximately $3,991. Most students can comfortably afford about a $319 monthly loan payment with this degree.
Comparison Bench
This degree earns 1.2x more than the average US high school graduate and 0.6x more than the average college graduate.
Purchasing Power Context
A dollar in South Dakota buys what costs $0.94 nationally.
Industry Breadcrumbs
Top industries for bachelor's graduates from this school: Educational Services, Finance & Insurance, Health Care & Social Assistance.
Where Bachelor's Graduates from This School Work
Institution-wide industry mix for bachelor's graduates, 5 years after graduation. This is not major-specific. Source: Census PSEO Flows.
5-Year Median Salary — National Purchasing Power Equivalent
$51,058
Nominal: $47,892 in South Dakota (COL 93.8% of national avg) · 6.6% higher purchasing power
10-Year Earnings Curve
Break-Even Timeline
How long until cumulative earnings advantage exceeds total college investment (tuition + opportunity cost vs. entering workforce directly after high school).
Total Investment
$155,168
4yr tuition + 4yr opportunity cost
HS Graduate Baseline
$38,792/yr
BLS 2023 median, HS diploma
View Raw Data: Median Earnings by Year
| Timeframe | 25th Pct. | Median (50th) | 75th Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Year After Graduation | $25,551 | $34,626 | $44,600 |
| 5 Years After Graduation | $38,186 | $47,892 | $60,682 |
| 10 Years After Graduation | $43,722 | $57,105 | $80,258 |
Source: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO), 2025 release. Earnings shown for Bachelor's degree graduates (all cohorts combined).
How We Calculate Purchasing Power
The median salary of $47,892 is reported by the US Census Bureau's Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) dataset for graduates working in SD, which has a cost-of-living index of 93.8% of the national average.
Formula: Adjusted Salary = Nominal × (1.0 ÷ COL Index)
= $47,892 × (1.0 ÷ 0.9380)
= $51,058 National Average equivalent.
COL index source: BLS Regional Consumer Price Index & MIT Living Wage Project, 2023. Full methodology →
Career Verdict
The top industries for graduates include Educational Services (21.9%), Finance & Insurance (14.6%), and Health Care & Social Assistance (12.0%), reflecting a diverse range of opportunities. The estimated break-even point for graduates compared to those with only a high school diploma is approximately 13.8 years, suggesting a significant return on investment over time. Overall, pursuing a degree in this field at Dakota State University appears to offer a favorable long-term financial outlook.
AI-assisted editorial analysis based on Census PSEO data. Fact-checked against source data.
Compare with Another School
See how the Computer Software and Media Applications degree at Dakota State University stacks up against another institution side-by-side.
Data sources: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO). Cost-of-living index: BLS Regional CPI & MIT Living Wage Project. Cost of attendance: IPEDS. For informational use only; data may be suppressed for small cohort sizes.
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