Is a research university right for me?–

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students. Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines. Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you. If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel. Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well. Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Is a liberal arts college right for me?–

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students. Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom). Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships, but also more pleasurable walks across campus. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers. Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Is an online college right for me?–

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available. Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degress you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no disctinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online. Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whehter you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college. Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands. Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain. Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands balancing work and life, or becuase the online colleges afford them the chance to attend a better school without moving. If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are aynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc. The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors. Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions. If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find, well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in South Dakota 2024

BEST IN SOUTH DAKOTA LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES

By James Barham

Published: May 4, 2021
Updated: Oct 26, 2023

Liberal arts colleges are a great option for students seeking a well-rounded education in an intimate campus setting. The best liberal arts colleges in South Dakota offer a diverse selection of degree programs with opportunities for a highly individualized educational experience.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in South Dakota

Black Hills State University
National American University
Dakota Wesleyan University
University of Sioux Falls
Northern State University
Augustana University
Dakota State University
Mount Marty University

Black Hills State University 97%
Dakota State University 86%
Northern State University 80%
University of Sioux Falls 77%
Dakota Wesleyan University 76%
Augustana University 72%
Mount Marty University 67%

Dakota State University 18 to 1
Northern State University 18 to 1
University of Sioux Falls 17 to 1
Black Hills State University 16 to 1
Dakota Wesleyan University 12 to 1
Augustana University 12 to 1
Mount Marty University 12 to 1
National American University 7 to 1

Augustana University $35,914
Dakota Wesleyan University $30,880
Mount Marty University $29,980
University of Sioux Falls $19,900
National American University $15,660
Black Hills State University $7,616
Dakota State University $7,616
Northern State University $7,616

Augustana University $35,716
Dakota Wesleyan University $15,300
National American University $15,000
Mount Marty University $8,375
Black Hills State University $7,998
University of Sioux Falls $7,110
Dakota State University $5,999
Northern State University $5,999

Mount Marty University
Dakota State University
Augustana University
Northern State University
University of Sioux Falls
Dakota Wesleyan University
National American University
Black Hills State University

Mount Marty University 67%
Augustana University 72%
Dakota Wesleyan University 76%
University of Sioux Falls 77%
Northern State University 80%
Dakota State University 86%
Black Hills State University 97%

National American University 7 to 1
Dakota Wesleyan University 12 to 1
Augustana University 12 to 1
Mount Marty University 12 to 1
Black Hills State University 16 to 1
University of Sioux Falls 17 to 1
Dakota State University 18 to 1
Northern State University 18 to 1

Black Hills State University $7,616
Dakota State University $7,616
Northern State University $7,616
National American University $15,660
University of Sioux Falls $19,900
Mount Marty University $29,980
Dakota Wesleyan University $30,880
Augustana University $35,914

Dakota State University $5,999
Northern State University $5,999
University of Sioux Falls $7,110
Black Hills State University $7,998
Mount Marty University $8,375
National American University $15,000
Dakota Wesleyan University $15,300
Augustana University $35,716

Table of Contents

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

How do we determine South Dakota's best liberal arts colleges?

Methodology

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great! If you are serious about finding the best colleges and universities for a bachelor’s degree, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching and whether their graduates are themselves advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence in their fields of study.

Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Concentrated Influence provides a ranking that is freer from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

To rank the influence of schools, we first determine the influence of scholars and professionals based on the number of citations and publications they have had over the past 10 years. In addition to publications and citations, we consider the web links to and from these sources, and the page views of those sources. We then match the influential people to their alma maters and institutions of employment, so that their influence is attributed to those schools. Our machine-learning Influence Ranking algorithm produces a numerical score of academic achievements, merits, and citations across Wikipedia, wikidata, Crossref, Semantic Scholar and an ever-growing body of data. If you are interested in exploring how and why we rank by influence, explore our methodology in more depth.

A liberal arts college is a school that puts a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. We’ve identified 8 liberal arts colleges in South Dakota. To be ranked among the best liberal arts colleges in South Dakota, schools must fully accredited institutions.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in South Dakota 2023

#1
Augustana University
Sioux Falls , SD
#1 Best Christian Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #1 Best Small Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #1 Best Private Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #3 Best Colleges in South Dakota 2024
Other Rankings
- #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #3 Best Online Master's Programs in South Dakota 2024
Tuition + fees
$36K
Acceptance
72%
Graduation
71%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1222/25
Career Outlook for degree at Augustana University
Cost of Degree: $35,914
Expenses: $16,358
Starting Salary: $43,363
Salary after 4 years: $51,181
Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Augustana University known for?

Augustana University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Sociology
Nursing
Biology
Physics
Literature
Social Work
Psychology
History
Political Science
Education

Most Influential Alumni

Damien Fair
Patricia Peck Gossel
Eric Hinderaker
David Soul
Compare school
#2
National American University
Rapid City , SD
#2 Best Small Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #2 Best Private Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #3 Best Grad Schools in South Dakota 2024 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in South Dakota 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$16K
Graduation
11%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at National American University
Cost of Degree: $15,660
Starting Salary: $46,141
What is National American University known for?

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

Criminal Justice
Business
Computer Science
Medical
Nursing
Education
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
Compare school
#3
Black Hills State University
Spearfish , SD
#3 Best Small Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #3 Best Public Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in South Dakota 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
42%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1120/21
Career Outlook for degree at Black Hills State University
Cost of Degree: $8,916
Expenses: $13,100
Starting Salary: $39,388
Salary after 4 years: $40,867
Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Black Hills State University known for?

Black Hills State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Sociology
Chemistry
Literature
Communications
Mathematics
Physics
Education
Business
Psychology
Biology

Most Influential Alumni

Gregory Schopen
Brian Shaw
Colleen Cutschall
Compare school
#4
Dakota State University
Madison , SD
#4 Best Grad Schools in South Dakota 2024 #4 Best Small Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #4 Best Public Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in South Dakota 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
47%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1100/22
Career Outlook for degree at Dakota State University
Cost of Degree: $9,633
Expenses: $13,222
Starting Salary: $56,547
Salary after 4 years: $59,976
Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Dakota State University known for?

Dakota State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Computer Science
Biology
Physics
Business
Education
Mathematics
Medical
Literature
Compare school
#5
Northern State University
Aberdeen , SD
#5 Best Small Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #5 Best Public Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #7 Best Colleges in South Dakota 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
80%
Graduation
48%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1065/22
Career Outlook for degree at Northern State University
Cost of Degree: $8,845
Expenses: $14,650
Starting Salary: $40,452
Salary after 4 years: $48,683
Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Northern State University known for?

Northern State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Chemistry
Literature
Mathematics
Education
Psychology
Political Science
Criminal Justice
Biology
Sociology
Medical

Most Influential Alumni

Kristi Noem
Benjamin Victor
Arthur Amiotte
Craig Smith
Compare school
#6
University of Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls , SD
#2 Best Christian Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #3 Best Private Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #6 Best Small Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #7 Most Affordable Colleges in South Dakota 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$20K
Acceptance
77%
Graduation
58%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Sioux Falls
Cost of Degree: $19,900
Expenses: $12,770
Starting Salary: $44,071
Salary after 4 years: $50,862
Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is University of Sioux Falls known for?

University of Sioux Falls’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Communications
Social Work
Education
History
Nursing
Political Science
Business
Chemistry
Sociology
Psychology
Compare school
#7
Dakota Wesleyan University
Mitchell , SD
#3 Best Christian Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #4 Best Private Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #7 Best Small Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #9 Best Colleges in South Dakota 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$31K
Acceptance
76%
Graduation
55%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
1030/20
Career Outlook for degree at Dakota Wesleyan University
Cost of Degree: $30,880
Expenses: $10,400
Starting Salary: $67,135
Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Dakota Wesleyan University known for?

Dakota Wesleyan University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Biology
Economics
Political Science
History
Nursing
Psychology
Medical
Communications
Mathematics
Religious Studies

Most Influential Alumni

George McGovern
Raymond Carhart
Dorothy Schwieder
Halsey Stevens
Clarion Hardy
Compare school
#8
Mount Marty University
Yankton , SD
#4 Best Christian Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #5 Best Private Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #8 Best Small Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #10 Best Colleges in South Dakota 2024
Tuition + fees
$30K
Acceptance
67%
Graduation
61%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Mount Marty University
Cost of Degree: $29,980
Expenses: $14,236
Starting Salary: $82,741
Salary after 4 years: $84,435
Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Mount Marty University known for?

Mount Marty University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Criminal Justice
Literature
Religious Studies
Nursing
Psychology
Mathematics
Medical
History
Biology
Education

Most Influential Alumni

Kristi Noem
Compare school

Build your own college rankings

South Dakota’s Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Your Area of Interest

Frequently Asked Questions About Research Universities, Liberal Arts Colleges, Online Colleges

In pursuing a bachelor’s degree, you will need to choose between three kinds of schools: research universities, liberal arts colleges, and online colleges.

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students.

Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines. Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you. If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel.

Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well.
Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Learn more about research universities by reading about the best research universities in the US.

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree.

Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students. Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom).
Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships, but also more pleasurable walks across campus. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers. Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Learn more about liberal arts colleges by reading about the best liberal arts colleges in the US.

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available. Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degress you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no disctinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online. Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whehter you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college.

Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands. Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain.
Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands balancing work and life, or becuase the online colleges afford them the chance to attend a better school without moving. If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are aynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc.
The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors. Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions.

If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

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.

Check out our directory of liberal arts colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top liberal arts schools in every state.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in South Dakota 2024

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in South Dakota

Colleges and Universities in South Dakota

What are South Dakota’s Colleges & Universities?

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in South Dakota 2023

Career Outlook for degree at Augustana University

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at National American University

National American University’s Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Black Hills State University

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Dakota State University

Career Outlook for degree at Northern State University

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at University of Sioux Falls

Career Outlook for degree at Dakota Wesleyan University

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Mount Marty University

Most Influential Alumni

South Dakota’s Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Your Area of Interest