Best Colleges in South Dakota
The top colleges in South Dakota by graduate outcomes, plus all 26 schools compared on cost, admissions, and earnings.
Best Colleges in South Dakota, Ranked
The top 8 four-year colleges in South Dakota by graduation rate and 10-year graduate earnings, from federal College Scorecard data. A data-backed shortlist to start from, not a substitute for finding the right fit.
- 1Augustana UniversitySioux Falls · Private nonprofit73%Grad$23,894Net Price$49,500Earnings
- 2South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologyRapid City · Public53%Grad$20,183Net Price$62,400Earnings
- 3Mitchell Technical CollegeMitchell · Public74%Grad$13,460Net Price$45,400Earnings
- 4South Dakota State UniversityBrookings · Public62%Grad$19,841Net Price$50,200Earnings
- 5University of South DakotaVermillion · Public60%Grad$19,858Net Price$49,500Earnings
- 6University of Sioux FallsSioux Falls · Private nonprofit63%Grad$21,383Net Price$44,800Earnings
- 7Lake Area Technical CollegeWatertown · Public69%Grad$15,979Net Price$38,900Earnings
- 8Southeast Technical CollegeSioux Falls · Public56%Grad$17,400Net Price$40,700Earnings
Public Universities(10)
South Dakota State University
Brookings · Public
University of South Dakota
Vermillion · Public
Southeast Technical College
Sioux Falls · Public
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Rapid City · Public
Dakota State University
Madison · Public
Black Hills State University
Spearfish · Public
Lake Area Technical College
Watertown · Public
Northern State University
Aberdeen · Public
Mitchell Technical College
Mitchell · Public
Western Dakota Technical College
Rapid City · Public
Private Colleges & Universities(12)
Augustana University
Sioux Falls · Private nonprofit
University of Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls · Private nonprofit
National American University-Rapid City
Rapid City · Private for-profit
Mount Marty University
Yankton · Private nonprofit
Dakota Wesleyan University
Mitchell · Private nonprofit
California Intercontinental University
Sioux Falls · Private for-profit
Stewart School
Sioux Falls · Private for-profit
Salon Professional Academy
Rapid City · Private for-profit
Paul Mitchell the School-Rapid City
Rapid City · Private for-profit
Sanford Medical Center
Sioux Falls · Private nonprofit
Avera McKennan Hospital School of Radiologic Technology
Sioux Falls · Private nonprofit
Avera Sacred Heart Hospital
Yankton · Private nonprofit
Community & 2-Year Colleges(4)
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Updated regularly via automated sync. Contact schools directly for current requirements and costs.