Best South Dakota Colleges & Universities for 2017

Higher education attainment in South Dakota has increased at a slow but steady pace since 2011. At that time, 39.4 percent of residents in the state held a college degree or credential; by 2014, that number had risen to 45.1 percent. A great deal of work is still needed in order to meet the growing demand of industries in the state. However, the numerous South Dakota colleges are poised to meet that demand through a variety of programs. Students interested in attending college in South Dakota can get a good overview of the higher education landscape through this guide. We looked at tuition rates, financial aid packages, alumni compensation, cost of living in metropolitan areas and college planning tools offered by the state.

South Dakota College Rankings: Best of 2017

With all the important factors that contribute to selecting a school, researching colleges can quickly become overwhelming. To aid in the college search, we have compiled the list below that ranks South Dakota colleges and universities based on factors like tuition cost and graduation rates. Check out the top-ranking schools in South Dakota for the 2017 school year below.

Methodology +

• 2-Year Colleges
• 4-Year Colleges

Rank	School Name	Score	Tuition Fees	Alumni Earnings	Student/Teacher Ratio	Gift Financial Aid	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate	# Online Programs	# Total Programs	Placement Services	Credit for Experience
1	Mitchell Technical Institute	99.84	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $38,000	13:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 25%	64%	N/A	4	40	Yes	Yes
2	Lake Area Technical Institute	99.82	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $35,000	13:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 30%	65%	N/A	0	35	Yes	Yes
3	Southeast Technical Institute	99.77	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $36,000	20:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 5%	37%	N/A	8	51	Yes	Yes
4	Western Dakota Technical Institute	98.85	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $31,000	12:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. N/A	44%	N/A	4	37	Yes	Yes
5	Kilian Community College	87.01	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $22,200	7:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 27%	6%	N/A	0	17	No	Yes
6	Sisseton Wahpeton College	86.00	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $20,900	10:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. N/A	7%	N/A	0	16	No	No

Rank	School Name	Score	Tuition Fees	Alumni Earnings	Student/Teacher Ratio	Gift Financial Aid	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate	# Online Programs	# Total Programs	Placement Services	Credit for Experience
1	Augustana College	99.70	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $42,600	10:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 100%	66%	61%	1	52	Yes	Yes
2	South Dakota State University	96.62	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $40,600	17:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 53%	56%	92%	16	124	Yes	Yes
3	University of South Dakota	94.28	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $39,500	17:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 63%	45%	89%	11	100	Yes	Yes
4	University of Sioux Falls	94.21	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $36,900	14:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 100%	48%	97%	3	47	Yes	Yes
5	South Dakota School of Mines and Technology	94.02	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $52,300	15:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 60%	55%	88%	3	31	Yes	No
6	Dakota Wesleyan University	93.07	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $34,100	9:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 98%	41%	73%	4	46	Yes	Yes
7	Mount Marty College	92.94	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $32,300	10:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 92%	51%	72%	0	41	Yes	Yes
8	Presentation College	91.25	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $37,100	10:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 99%	44%	57%	6	12	No	Yes
9	Northern State University	91.06	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $33,200	18:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 67%	46%	83%	16	47	Yes	Yes
10	Dakota State University	89.99	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $37,400	16:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 58%	42%	84%	17	35	Yes	Yes
11	Black Hills State University	88.02	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $34,400	20:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 38%	37%	94%	6	57	Yes	No
12	Sinte Gleska University	86.63	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $21,400	12:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 69%	33%	N/A	0	25	No	No
13	Oglala Lakota College	86.00	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $20,000	7:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 77%	1%	N/A	3	13	No	No

Find & Compare Colleges in South Dakota

Want to dive a bit deeper than the rankings list? This search tool lets students to do just that by allowing them sort schools by various factors like student population, location and acceptance rates. The results can then be compared side by side to provide an even more comprehensive look at the potential colleges in South Dakota.

Evaluating the Cost of College in South Dakota

Understanding tuition and financial aid is one of the most important steps a student can take toward understanding the cost of college. These charts feature average tuition rates in the state, the average financial aid award and how many students actually receive those awards. By combining all of this information, prospective students can gain a better understanding of what they can expect to pay to attend college in South Dakota.

Most Affordable Colleges in South Dakota

Solely looking at tuition will not accurately display the costs of attending a college. Instead, students should look at the net price, which is the cost of attendance minus any financial aid awarded. The following six South Dakota schools are the most affordable in terms of the lowest net price.

• 1
  
  Oglala Lakota College$3,662
• 2
  
  Black Hills State University$13,407
• 3
  
  Northern State University$14,387

• 4
  
  Dakota State University$14,431
• 5
  
  Sinte Gleska University$15,089
• 6
  
  University of South Dakota$15,442

Average
Annual Net
Price

Cost for students awarded federal financial aid, after school and government aid is deducted. At public colleges, only applies to in-state students.

South Dakota College Net Price vs. National Average

$16,511

Average Annual Net Price

$18,073

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

South Dakota Colleges with Top Alumni Earnings

How much will students make upon graduation? Though that answer depends on numerous factors, including the field of work the student chooses, there are some colleges that tend to produce alumni with higher salaries. These six colleges in South Dakota have the highest paid alumni ten years after their graduation.

• 1
  
  South Dakota School of Mines and Technology$52,300
• 2
  
  Augustana College$42,600
• 3
  
  South Dakota State University$40,600

• 4
  
  University of South Dakota$39,500
• 5
  
  Dakota State University$37,400
• 6
  
  Presentation College$37,100

Annual
Median Earnings
10 Years
After Entering
College

Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.

South Dakota Alumni Salaries vs. National Average

$35,523

Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After Entering College

$42,759

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Best South Dakota Colleges for Low Student Loan Debt

High student loan payments can quickly negate the thrill of a great paycheck. These colleges in South Dakota produce alumni with the lowest amounts of student debt in the state. In addition, we have compared them to the national average, so students considering a student loan can see exactly where they stand.

• 1
  
  University of South Dakota$24,000
• 2
  
  Dakota State University$24,933
• 3
  
  Presentation College$25,000

• 4
  
  South Dakota State University$25,000
• 5
  
  University of Sioux Falls$25,000
• 6
  
  Northern State University$25,654

Median
Federal Student
Loan Debt After
Graduation

Only for undergraduates who completed college; does not include Parent-PLUS loans.

South Dakota College Grad Debt Vs. National Average

$25,830

Median Federal Student Loan Debt After Graduation

$23,145

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Cost of Living in South Dakota: Housing, Healthcare and Other Expenses

When considering the cost of school, students often overlook the cost of living, which can affect a student’s budget greatly. South Dakota boasts a cost of living that is lower than the national average, and the costs of housing and transportation are particularly attractive when compared to that of other states. We have examined the cost of living in metropolitan areas of South Dakota, as well as the entire state, to help students gauge expenses for attending a college in South Dakota.

Source: The Council for Community and Economic Research

Accreditation for South Dakota Colleges

Prospective students should consider a school’s accreditation status. Accreditation is vitally important, as it means an independent accrediting body has evaluated the school and found it to fulfill the requirements of a quality education. A degree earned from an accredited school typically holds a great deal of weight and allows students more opportunities for financial aid and for easier credit transfers.

Schools in South Dakota are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, which is responsible for the accreditation of colleges in 19 states in the North Central region. In addition to this accreditation, schools can also opt for accreditation for specific programs. Here are a few examples:

• The National Association of Schools of Music, Commission on Accreditation accredits all music programs, both degree granting and non-degree granting, at Augustana University.
• The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education accredits bachelor’s and graduate programs in teacher education at Black Hills State University.

Popular Cities to Attend College in South Dakota

Brookings

With a population of over 22,000, Brookings is the fourth most populous city in South Dakota, and the second largest manufacturing community in the state. From its historic buildings to its shops to its tasty restaurants, Brookings has a little something for everyone.

College Name	School Type	Annual Net Price	Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After College Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.
South Dakota State University	Public	$15,538	$40,600
Nine colleges make up this large university in the heart of Brookings. As the state's largest and most comprehensive higher education institution, SDSU serves over 12,500 students. Those students can choose from 73 majors, 36 specializations, 33 master's programs and 15 PhD programs, as well as two professional doctorates. Online and off-campus courses provide students with a more flexible way to obtain their education.

Sioux Falls

Known as the "Heart of America," Sioux Falls is nestled on the banks of the Big Sioux River on the borders of Minnesota and Iowa. The city itself has a population of over 173,000, and the greater metropolitan area is home to over 250,000 people. Major employers include those in healthcare, grocery, banking and food products.

College Name	School Type	Annual Net Price	Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After College Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.
Augustana University	Private not-for-profit	$18,621	$42,600
Founded by the Lutheran Church in 1860, Augustana welcomes students of all faiths and religions. Today, the college serves over 1,800 students in 53 majors, 41 minors and 15 pre-professional programs for undergraduates, as well as graduate and continuing education programs. Most students live on the 100-acre campus.
Southeast Technical Institute	Public	$12,271	$36,000
Students seeking an associate degree, diploma or certificate can take advantage of one of the more than 50 programs at Southeast Technical Institute. Programs are focused with the intention of all students graduating within 24 months of enrollment. In fact, Southeast Tech turns out the third largest graduating class in the state, not to mention it is one of the most affordable post-secondary institutions in the state.
University of Sioux Falls	Private not-for-profit	$19,372	$36,900
This Christian, liberal arts school affiliated with the Southern Baptist church has a 98 percent placement rate for graduates. A 14-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio fosters intimate classroom settings for students in over 80 programs. Of the almost 1,500 students, 100 percent of them received financial aid as an incoming freshman. With well over 100 clubs and within an easy day's drive to several Midwestern cities, USF offers plenty of opportunities for fun.

Source: College Scorecard

South Dakota College Resources

Students interested in South Dakota colleges can find a wealth of resources at the following links: