Best Grad Schools in South Dakota 2025
Best Grad Schools in South Dakota
- University of South Dakota
- South Dakota State University
- National American University
- Dakota State University
- University of South Dakota
- South Dakota State University
- National American University
- Dakota State University
- South Dakota State University 18 to 1
- Dakota State University 18 to 1
- University of South Dakota 14 to 1
- National American University 6 to 1
- National American University $16,065
- University of South Dakota $7,773
- South Dakota State University $7,773
- Dakota State University $7,616
- National American University $15,750
- South Dakota State University $8,164
- University of South Dakota $6,123
- Dakota State University $5,999
- Dakota State University
- National American University
- South Dakota State University
- University of South Dakota
- Dakota State University
- National American University
- South Dakota State University
- University of South Dakota
- National American University 6 to 1
- University of South Dakota 14 to 1
- South Dakota State University 18 to 1
- Dakota State University 18 to 1
- Dakota State University $7,616
- University of South Dakota $7,773
- South Dakota State University $7,773
- National American University $16,065
- Dakota State University $5,999
- University of South Dakota $6,123
- South Dakota State University $8,164
- National American University $15,750
2025 Ranking Update
Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or last ground for the 2025 school year.
There are no changes to our 2025 ranking of the best liberal arts colleges in South Dakota.
There are 4 doctorate-granting graduate schools in South Dakota. Our ranking of the best graduate schools in the South Dakota is composed of both private and public schools. To be included, schools must be fully accredited non-profit institutions, and must offer doctoral degrees and a broad array of graduate degrees.
Best Grad Schools in South Dakota
- #1 Best Research Universities in South Dakota 2024 #1 Best Colleges in South Dakota 2025 #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in South Dakota 2024
Other Rankings
- #1 Best Public Colleges in South Dakota 2024
- #1 Best Online Master's Programs in South Dakota 2024
- #1 Best Online Associate Degrees in South Dakota 2024
- #1 Best Online Colleges in South Dakota 2024
- #1 Best Online MBA Programs in South Dakota
- #2 Best Online Master's Programs in Wyoming 2024
- #3 Best Online MBA Programs in Wyoming
- #5 Best Online MBA Programs in Montana
- #6 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's of Nursing Degree Programs 2025
- #10 Top 18 Most Affordable No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs 2025
- #13 Most Affordable Online Computer Science PhDs (Doctorates) 2025
- #3 Top 20 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's in Counseling 2025
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
99%
Graduation
57%
Student body
12K
Median SAT/ACT
1160/22
Career Outlook for degree at University of South Dakota
Cost of Degree: $9,432Expenses: $15,207Starting Salary: $49,500Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of South Dakota known for?
University of South Dakota’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Best Research Universities in South Dakota 2024 #2 Best Colleges in South Dakota 2025 #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in South Dakota 2024
Other Rankings
- #2 Best Public Colleges in South Dakota 2024
- #2 Best Online Master's Programs in South Dakota 2024
- #2 Best Online Associate Degrees in South Dakota 2024
- #2 Best Online Colleges in South Dakota 2024
- #7 Best Online Degree Completion Programs for Returning Students 2025
- #12 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's of Nursing Degree Programs 2025
- #14 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Master's of Nursing Programs 2025
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
59%
Student body
14K
Median SAT/ACT
1132/22
Career Outlook for degree at South Dakota State University
Cost of Degree: $9,299Expenses: $15,445Starting Salary: $50,200Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is South Dakota State University known for?
South Dakota State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in South Dakota 2025 #2 Best Small Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #2 Best Private Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in South Dakota 2024
Other Rankings
- #4 Best Colleges in South Dakota 2025
- #3 Best Online Colleges in South Dakota 2024
- #4 Best Online Colleges in New Mexico 2024
- #5 Best Online MBA Programs in South Dakota
- #10 Best Online Master's Programs in South Dakota 2024
- #11 Best Online Master's Programs in South Dakota 2024
- #19 Best Online Bachelor's in Construction Management Degree Programs
Tuition + fees
$16K
Graduation
33%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at National American University
Cost of Degree: $16,065Starting Salary: $39,500What is National American University known for?
National American University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- #4 Best Small Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #4 Best Public Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in South Dakota 2025
Other Rankings
- #9 Best Colleges in South Dakota 2025
- #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in South Dakota
- #2 Best Online MBA Programs in South Dakota
- #3 Best Online Associate Degrees in South Dakota 2024
- #5 Best Online Colleges in South Dakota 2024
- #6 Best Online Master's Programs in South Dakota 2024
- #6 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Wyoming
- #10 Top 10 Best Online PhD of Information Technology Programs (Doctorates)
- #10 Best Online PhD of Computer Science Degree Programs (Doctorates) 2025
- #10 Fastest Accelerated Online Doctorate of Cybersecurity
- #15 Top 15 Most Affordable Online Information Technology PhD Programs
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
79%
Graduation
49%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1090/23
Career Outlook for degree at Dakota State University
Cost of Degree: $9,633Expenses: $16,476Starting Salary: $43,100Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Dakota State University known for?
Dakota State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
South Dakota’s Best Grad School for Your Area of Interest
Resources for Prospective Grad Students
Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.