Best Christian Colleges in South Dakota 2024

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For prospective college students looking for schools that align with their Christian faith and demonstrate academic excellence, here are the best Christian colleges and universities in South Dakota.

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

The following list of the best Christian schools consists entirely of colleges and universities that offer four-year undergraduate degrees. We’ve identified 4 Christian colleges in South Dakota. In order to be included in this ranking list of best Christian colleges and universities, a school must self-identify as Christian, be fully accredited, and offer a broad range of bachelor degree programs.

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Best Christian Colleges in South Dakota 2023

  1. #1

    Augustana University

    Sioux Falls , SD
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $37K

    Acceptance

    66%

    Graduation

    76%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1217/24

    Career Outlook for degree at Augustana University

    Cost of Degree: $37,342
    Expenses: $16,048
    Starting Salary: $49,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Augustana University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  2. #2

    University of Sioux Falls

    Sioux Falls , SD
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $20K

    Acceptance

    76%

    Graduation

    59%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Sioux Falls

    Cost of Degree: $20,290
    Expenses: $13,040
    Starting Salary: $44,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 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:

  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $32K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1185/21

    Career Outlook for degree at Dakota Wesleyan University

    Cost of Degree: $31,890
    Expenses: $10,800
    Starting Salary: $40,900
    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:

    Most Influential Alumni

  4. Tuition + fees

    $32K

    Acceptance

    68%

    Graduation

    57%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Mount Marty University

    Cost of Degree: $31,500
    Expenses: $14,532
    Starting Salary: $39,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 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:

    Most Influential Alumni

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South Dakota’s Best Christian Colleges in Your Area of Interest

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. Augustana University
  2. Dakota Wesleyan University
  3. University of Sioux Falls
  4. Mount Marty University
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