Here are the most affordable colleges and universities in South Dakota. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you, at a price you can afford.
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.
There are 7 colleges and universities in South Dakota with stated tuitions and fees under $20,000/year. The following list of the most affordable colleges and universities in South Dakota is composed entirely of schools offering bachelor’s degree programs, have stated tuition and fees near or under the national average of $16,000/year, and are fully accredited colleges.
These schools are ranked by academic excellence, and all under $20,000/year.
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
60%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
1085/22
University of South Dakota’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
59%
Student body
10K
Median SAT/ACT
1155/22
South Dakota State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$16K
Graduation
19%
Student body
1K
National American University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
39%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1070/21
Black Hills State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
84%
Graduation
49%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1137/22
Dakota State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
79%
Graduation
45%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1085/22
Northern State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$20K
Acceptance
92%
Graduation
58%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1150/22
University of Sioux Falls’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
