South Dakota Engineering Degrees

South Dakota is infamous for being home to Mount Rushmore and other tourist destinations. The tourism industry is one of the dominant markets in South Dakota, with thousands of tourists exploring the state to see its natural beauty.

South Dakota also has a strong agricultural industry and, more recently, has become the headquarters for many national financial firms.

Engineering Education in South Dakota

College departments provide concentrations in engineering programs that correspond to professions in the engineering industry. For example, many colleges offer a mechanical engineering concentration or sets of mechanical engineering classes for students interested in the corresponding profession.

In South Dakota, students who want a certificate or associate’s degree in engineering can attend one of five technical institutes or community colleges, including the Southeast Technical Institute. There is also Sinte Gleska University, a private university for Native American students, which provides engineering associate’s programs.

In addition, there are three public universities that provide bachelor’s programs in engineering: South Dakota State University, the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and Black Hills State University. Augustana College, a private college in Sioux Falls, also offers a bachelor’s program in engineering.

The University of South Dakota provides a graduate program in engineering, along with South Dakota State University and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Outlook for Engineering Jobs in South Dakota

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) explains that there are 4,360 engineering jobs in South Dakota’s engineering sector. The BLS further adds that the average annual salary of South Dakota engineers calculated to $57,920.

Career trends vary in South Dakota, such as civil engineers earning $66,060 with 830 employed versus 370 industrial engineers earning $71,970.

Despite a strong agricultural sector, the BLS reports that there are only 40 agricultural engineers earning $57,620 a year.

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