Best Colleges in South Dakota 2023

Best Colleges in South Dakota 2023
By James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Here are the best colleges and universities in South Dakota. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you.

10 Best Colleges in South Dakota

Sort by:
  1. University of South Dakota
    2. 44%
  2. South Dakota State University
    3. 37%
  3. Augustana University
    4. 27%
  4. Black Hills State University
    5. 24%
  5. Dakota Wesleyan University
    6. 24%
  6. National American University
    7. 23%
  7. University of Sioux Falls
    8. 22%
  8. Northern State University
    9. 21%
  9. Dakota State University
    10. 20%
  10. Mount Marty University
    11. 11%
  1. Black Hills State University
    2. 97%
  2. South Dakota State University
    3. 87%
  3. University of South Dakota
    4. 87%
  4. Dakota State University
    5. 86%
  5. Northern State University
    6. 80%
  6. University of Sioux Falls
    7. 77%
  7. Dakota Wesleyan University
    8. 76%
  8. Augustana University
    9. 72%
  9. Mount Marty University
    10. 67%
  1. Dakota State University
    2. 18 to 1
  2. Northern State University
    3. 18 to 1
  3. University of Sioux Falls
    4. 17 to 1
  4. South Dakota State University
    5. 17 to 1
  5. Black Hills State University
    6. 16 to 1
  6. University of South Dakota
    7. 15 to 1
  7. Dakota Wesleyan University
    8. 12 to 1
  8. Augustana University
    9. 12 to 1
  9. Mount Marty University
    10. 12 to 1
  10. National American University
    11. 7 to 1
  1. Augustana University
    2. $35,914
  2. Dakota Wesleyan University
    3. $30,880
  3. Mount Marty University
    4. $29,980
  4. University of Sioux Falls
    5. $19,900
  5. National American University
    6. $15,660
  6. University of South Dakota
    7. $7,773
  7. South Dakota State University
    8. $7,773
  8. Black Hills State University
    9. $7,616
  9. Dakota State University
    10. $7,616
  10. Northern State University
    11. $7,616
  1. Augustana University
    2. $35,716
  2. Dakota Wesleyan University
    3. $15,300
  3. National American University
    4. $15,000
  4. Mount Marty University
    5. $8,375
  5. South Dakota State University
    6. $8,164
  6. Black Hills State University
    7. $7,998
  7. University of Sioux Falls
    8. $7,110
  8. University of South Dakota
    9. $6,123
  9. Dakota State University
    10. $5,999
  10. Northern State University
    11. $5,999
  1. Mount Marty University
    2. 11%
  2. Dakota State University
    3. 20%
  3. Northern State University
    4. 21%
  4. University of Sioux Falls
    5. 22%
  5. National American University
    6. 23%
  6. Dakota Wesleyan University
    7. 24%
  7. Black Hills State University
    8. 24%
  8. Augustana University
    9. 27%
  9. South Dakota State University
    10. 37%
  10. University of South Dakota
    11. 44%
  1. Mount Marty University
    2. 67%
  2. Augustana University
    3. 72%
  3. Dakota Wesleyan University
    4. 76%
  4. University of Sioux Falls
    5. 77%
  5. Northern State University
    6. 80%
  6. Dakota State University
    7. 86%
  7. University of South Dakota
    8. 87%
  8. South Dakota State University
    9. 87%
  9. Black Hills State University
    10. 97%
  1. National American University
    2. 7 to 1
  2. Dakota Wesleyan University
    3. 12 to 1
  3. Augustana University
    4. 12 to 1
  4. Mount Marty University
    5. 12 to 1
  5. University of South Dakota
    6. 15 to 1
  6. Black Hills State University
    7. 16 to 1
  7. University of Sioux Falls
    8. 17 to 1
  8. South Dakota State University
    9. 17 to 1
  9. Dakota State University
    10. 18 to 1
  10. Northern State University
    11. 18 to 1
  1. Black Hills State University
    2. $7,616
  2. Dakota State University
    3. $7,616
  3. Northern State University
    4. $7,616
  4. University of South Dakota
    5. $7,773
  5. South Dakota State University
    6. $7,773
  6. National American University
    7. $15,660
  7. University of Sioux Falls
    8. $19,900
  8. Mount Marty University
    9. $29,980
  9. Dakota Wesleyan University
    10. $30,880
  10. Augustana University
    11. $35,914
  1. Dakota State University
    2. $5,999
  2. Northern State University
    3. $5,999
  3. University of South Dakota
    4. $6,123
  4. University of Sioux Falls
    5. $7,110
  5. Black Hills State University
    6. $7,998
  6. South Dakota State University
    7. $8,164
  7. Mount Marty University
    8. $8,375
  8. National American University
    9. $15,000
  9. Dakota Wesleyan University
    10. $15,300
  10. Augustana University
    11. $35,716

Colleges and Universities in South Dakota

Almost 20 higher education institutions award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in the state, and only two schools exceed 5,000 in student population. The average college tuition in the state is $8,450, which is under the national average. Of the 11 public institutions, South Dakota State University is the largest with just over 10,000 students, and it has a tuition of $9,000.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

With a comparable tuition, the University of South Dakota is the second largest and located in Vermillion. Students can earn degrees in areas such as earth science, physics, and engineering. Eight private schools offer degrees ranging in tuition from $3,000 to $33,000. Many of these universities are religiously affiliated, Augustana University being the largest and most expensive. This Lutheran university is located in Sioux Falls and offers programs in economics, psychology, and biology. The most affordable colleges, Oglala Lakota College and Sinte Gleska University, are both tribal institutions charging $3,000 in fees.

Two monuments are carved into the rock of the Black Hills: Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial. In addition to its majestic mountains, South Dakota’s lands are some of the richest in fossils. Badlands National Park is home to unique rock formations as well as the fossils of saber-toothed cats, three-toed horses, and ancient marine animals. With vast plains and unique mountains, South Dakota offers a stunning setting for students looking to earn their degree in The Mount Rushmore State.

Find out more about the top programs and higher education opportunities available in South Dakota.


What are South Dakota’s Colleges & Universities?

South Dakota’s Best Overall

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

South Dakota' Best Colleges and Universities Badge
Download Badge

We’ve identified 10 colleges and universities in South Dakota that meet our criteria. This list of the top colleges in South Dakota below focuses on schools that offer bachelor’s degrees. The ranking features fully accredited public and private colleges and universities in South Dakota.

Back to Top

Best Colleges in South Dakota 2022

  4. #4

    National American University

    Rapid City , SD
    #2 Best Private Colleges in South Dakota 2023 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in South Dakota 2023 #2 Best Small Colleges in South Dakota 2023 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in South Dakota 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $16K

    Graduation

    11%

    Student body

    1K

    What is National American University known for?

    National American University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    National American University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Management
    • Required Credits: 180
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Paralegal Studies
    • Required Credits: 180.5
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Professional Legal Studies
    • Required Credits: 180
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
Back to Top

South Dakota’s Best Colleges in Your Area of Interest

Anthropology Biology Business Chemistry Commun­ications Computer Science Criminal Justice Earth Sciences Economics Education Engineering History Law Literature Mathematics Medical Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Work Sociology
2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

  1. University of South Dakota
  2. South Dakota State University
  3. Northern State University
  4. Augustana University
  5. Black Hills State University
  6. University of Sioux Falls
  7. Dakota Wesleyan University
  8. Dakota State University
  9. Mount Marty University
This website uses cookies to enhance the user experience. Read the Privacy Policy for more.