Best Public Colleges in South Dakota 2026

Badge for BEST IN SOUTH DAKOTA PUBLIC COLLEGES
By Dr. James Barham
Updated:

Public colleges and universities account for almost 75 percent of all undergraduate students in the U.S. The best public colleges in South Dakota provide broad access to reputable degree programs, affordable tuition, and sprawling educational communities.

Best Public Colleges in South Dakota in 2026

  1. University of South Dakota
  2. South Dakota State University
  3. Black Hills State University
  4. Northern State University
    +1
  5. Dakota State University
    –1

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.

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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

What is the difference between public and private colleges?

Public and private colleges and universities operate under different business models. Public colleges and universities are owned by the state and receive both state and federal funding to operate. Private colleges and universities are private companies with private funding. If you’re looking at the pros and cons of private vs. public colleges, consider that many public colleges provide diverse course offerings, influential professors, and an excellent return on your investment.

Public colleges are schools that receive most of their funding from tax revenues. As a result, the cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public university is often lower than the equivalent cost at a private college — especially for students attending a public school in their home state. Attending a college in-state is usually the cheapest option. Private universities and colleges can be very competitive with their funding opportunities, so do not simply believe that private colleges are always going to be more expensive. According to National Center for Educational Statistics, the average annual cost (tuition, fees, room and board for full-time students) at a public university was slightly over $20,000. In contrast, private universities cost, on average, nearly $43,000 annually. But in the end, the cost of college comes down to each student’s academic and financial situation.

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This list is composed entirely of public colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 5 public universities in South Dakota. To be included in our list of the best public colleges in South Dakota, shcools must receive direct funding from the state, be fully accredited, and offer a broad range of bachelor’s degress.

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Best Public Colleges in South Dakota 2023

  1. #1

    University of South Dakota

    Vermillion , SD
    #1 Best Grad Schools in South Dakota 2026 #1 Best Research Universities in South Dakota 2026 #1 Best Colleges in South Dakota 2026 #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2026

    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: $9,432
    Expenses: $15,207
    Starting Salary: $49,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of South Dakota known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  2. #2

    South Dakota State University

    Brookings , SD
    #2 Best Grad Schools in South Dakota 2026 #2 Best Research Universities in South Dakota 2026 #2 Best Colleges in South Dakota 2026 #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2026

    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: $9,299
    Expenses: $15,445
    Starting Salary: $50,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is South Dakota State University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  3. #3

    Black Hills State University

    Spearfish , SD
    #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in South Dakota 2026 #1 Best Small Colleges in South Dakota 2026 #3 Best Colleges in South Dakota 2026 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    97%

    Graduation

    44%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1027/21

    Career Outlook for degree at Black Hills State University

    Cost of Degree: $8,916
    Expenses: $13,100
    Starting Salary: $40,500
    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:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  4. #4

    Northern State University

    Aberdeen , SD
    #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in South Dakota 2026 #6 Best Small Colleges in South Dakota 2026 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in South Dakota 2026 #8 Best Colleges in South Dakota 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    51%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    975/21

    Career Outlook for degree at Northern State University

    Cost of Degree: $8,845
    Expenses: $14,500
    Starting Salary: $37,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 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:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  6. #5

    Dakota State University

    Madison , SD
    #4 Best Grad Schools in South Dakota 2026 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in South Dakota 2026 #7 Best Small Colleges in South Dakota 2026 #7 Most Affordable Colleges in South Dakota 2026

    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: $9,633
    Expenses: $16,476
    Starting Salary: $43,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 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:

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South Dakota’s Best Public College in Your Area of Interest

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2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 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. Northern State University
  3. South Dakota State University
  4. Black Hills State University
  5. Dakota State University

South Dakota’s public colleges serve a mix of regional and statewide needs—combining undergraduate-focused liberal arts institutions, research universities, and technical/community colleges. This guide highlights the state’s strongest public options and explains what distinguishes them: program breadth, affordability, campus resources, and ties to local industries such as agriculture, education, and mining. Use these comparisons to match institutional strengths to your priorities—academic programs, hands-on learning, or preparation for a regional workforce—rather than relying solely on reputation.

For a broader view, see our directory of public colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top public colleges in every state.

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