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State Overview

Colleges in South Dakota: 10 Ranked by Earnings, Tuition & Graduation Rate

Every college in South Dakota with verified College Scorecard data, ranked three ways below: by graduate earnings, by in-state tuition and by graduation rate. 14 institutions in total.

Institutions

14

Avg In-State Tuition

$16,336

Avg Out-of-State

$17,930

Avg Earnings

$43,651

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Quick answer

According to College Scorecard data on CollegeFactbook.com, South Dakota has 14 degree-granting colleges and universities with average in-state tuition of $16,336 and average graduate earnings of $43,651 ten years after entry.

State Overview

South Dakota has 14 institutions of higher education. The average in-state tuition is $16,335.54, while the average out-of-state tuition is $17,929.69. The average graduate earnings for students is $43,650.83.

The data suggests that South Dakota offers a relatively affordable higher education experience, especially for in-state students. The average graduate earnings indicate a positive return on investment for students.

Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data

Schools by Type

Popular Majors in South Dakota

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

863 graduates

Business Administration, Management and Operations

846 graduates

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods

416 graduates

Biology, General

329 graduates

Health and Physical Education/Fitness

328 graduates

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

256 graduates

Psychology, General

232 graduates

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas

230 graduates

Computer and Information Sciences, General

228 graduates

Mechanical Engineering

205 graduates

Accounting and Related Services

202 graduates

Educational Administration and Supervision

189 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Salary Business Administration, Management and Operations Salary Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Salary

Cost Comparison

SD Avg In-State $16,336
SD Avg Out-of-State $17,930

Cost Analysis

South Dakota's average in-state tuition of $16,336 compares to an average out-of-state tuition of $17,930. The average graduate from a South Dakota institution earns $43,651 within 5 years of graduation.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are 14 colleges and universities in South Dakota, including public, private non-profit, and for-profit institutions.

Best Colleges in South Dakota, Ranked by Data

Three orderings of the same 10 colleges, straight from College Scorecard: who earns most after graduating, who charges least in-state, and who graduates the largest share. No editorial weighting.

Best colleges in South Dakota by graduate earnings

  1. 1 South Dakota School of Mines and Technology $62,863 median, 5 yrs · Rapid City
  2. 2 Augustana University $49,826 median, 5 yrs · Sioux Falls
  3. 3 South Dakota State University $49,564 median, 5 yrs · Brookings
  4. 4 Dakota Wesleyan University $49,432 median, 5 yrs · Mitchell
  5. 5 Mount Marty University $46,984 median, 5 yrs · Yankton
  6. 6 University of Sioux Falls $46,712 median, 5 yrs · Sioux Falls
  7. 7 University of South Dakota $46,290 median, 5 yrs · Vermillion
  8. 8 Dakota State University $46,146 median, 5 yrs · Madison
  9. 9 Northern State University $41,536 median, 5 yrs · Aberdeen
  10. 10 Black Hills State University $38,927 median, 5 yrs · Spearfish

Cheapest colleges in South Dakota by in-state tuition

  1. 1 Northern State University $8,845 / year · Aberdeen
  2. 2 Black Hills State University $9,000 / year · Spearfish
  3. 3 South Dakota State University $9,299 / year · Brookings
  4. 4 University of South Dakota $9,432 / year · Vermillion
  5. 5 Dakota State University $9,633 / year · Madison
  6. 6 South Dakota School of Mines and Technology $10,400 / year · Rapid City
  7. 7 University of Sioux Falls $20,740 / year · Sioux Falls
  8. 8 Dakota Wesleyan University $32,890 / year · Mitchell
  9. 9 Mount Marty University $33,100 / year · Yankton
  10. 10 Augustana University $39,190 / year · Sioux Falls

Best colleges in South Dakota by graduation rate

  1. 1 Augustana University 76 % graduate · Sioux Falls
  2. 2 University of Sioux Falls 60 % graduate · Sioux Falls
  3. 3 South Dakota State University 60 % graduate · Brookings
  4. 4 University of South Dakota 59 % graduate · Vermillion
  5. 5 Mount Marty University 59 % graduate · Yankton
  6. 6 South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 57 % graduate · Rapid City
  7. 7 Northern State University 52 % graduate · Aberdeen
  8. 8 Dakota Wesleyan University 50 % graduate · Mitchell
  9. 9 Dakota State University 49 % graduate · Madison
  10. 10 Black Hills State University 42 % graduate · Spearfish

National rankings: highest earning · most affordable · best graduation rate · best ROI.