Best Colleges in South Dakota – 2024
July 3, 2024
Fewer than one million people live in South Dakota so it may come as a surprise that the state boasts more than a dozen 4-year colleges and universities. Of course, not all schools are created equal, so we’ve done the work of evaluating which universities belong on the Mount Rushmore of South Dakota higher education (with only three heads in this case). The following list of the best colleges in South Dakota is meant to give you an idea of how to narrow down your search and find the perfect-fit institution to meet your unique needs. The data in each profile card is intended to give a better sense of the academic offerings and outcomes at each institution.
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Click here to read our methodology for the Best Colleges in South Dakota. As you鈥檒l see, some schools with spectacular (and deserved) reputations simply do not happen to fare well on metrics such as student-to-faculty ratio or spending per student. We understand that a list based solely on prestige/general reputation would look different than what you will find below.
Best Colleges in South Dakota
Here鈥檚 a quick preview of the top South Dakota-based institutions that made our list. Detailed profiles and stats can be found when you scroll below.
1) University of South Dakota
2) South Dakota State University
3) Augustana University
All of the Best Colleges in South Dakota profiled below have a history of sending graduates to the most desirable employers and graduate schools in the country. 国产第一福利影院草草 will provide you with鈥攚hen available鈥攅ach school鈥檚:
- Enrollment
- Cost of Attendance
- Acceptance Rate
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- 惭别诲颈补苍听
- Retention Rate
- Graduation Rate
We will also include a longer write-up of each school’s:
- Academic Highlights 鈥� Includes facts like student-to-faculty ratio, average class size, number of majors offered, and most popular majors.
- Professional Outcomes 鈥� Includes info on the rate of positive outcomes, companies employing alumni, and graduate school acceptances.
Also view our:
University of South Dakota
- Vermillion, South Dakota
Academic Highlights: As South Dakota鈥檚 sole public liberal arts university and home to the state鈥檚 only medical school, USD offers a distinctive combination of breadth and personalized education. With 200+ undergraduate programs and a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students benefit from small-class advantages (72% of classes have fewer than 30 students) alongside extensive research opportunities. The university鈥檚 global reach鈥�200+ study abroad programs across six continents鈥攑repares graduates to engage with an interconnected world while maintaining strong ties to regional communities.
Professional Outcomes: USD graduates achieve strong career outcomes, with 57% employed and 28% pursuing advanced education. Half of working alumni earn salaries between $40,000鈥�$59,000, while 63% of those continuing education choose USD鈥檚 own graduate programs鈥攁 testament to institutional quality. Alumni are primarily concentrated in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Sioux City, contributing to South Dakota鈥檚 workforce. An impressive 88% of graduates express satisfaction with their USD education, reflecting the university鈥檚 commitment to student success.
- Enrollment: 7,095
- Cost of Attendance: $24,639 (In-State); $28,149 (Out-of-State)
- Median SAT: 1195
- Median ACT: 22
- Acceptance Rate: 99%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
South Dakota State University
- Brookings, South Dakota
Academic Highlights:聽As South Dakota’s flagship comprehensive university, SDSU offers students 88 majors and 106 minors within a vibrant academic community representing 47 states and 77 countries. The university champions undergraduate research through its annual Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Day and the Journal of Undergraduate Research, providing exceptional opportunities for hands-on learning. This research-focused approach, combined with the resources of the state’s largest university, creates an ideal environment for students to develop both specialized knowledge and practical skills.
Professional Outcomes: SDSU graduates form the backbone of South Dakota’s professional workforce, with most establishing careers in the Greater Sioux Falls region and the Brookings area. Alumni hold key positions at leading employers, including Sanford Health, Avera Health, and Daktronics, while others contribute to state government. These outcomes demonstrate how SDSU’s combination of comprehensive academics, undergraduate research opportunities, and strong regional connections prepares graduates to meet the workforce needs of the Upper Midwest while maintaining the university’s vital role as an economic driver for the state.
- Enrollment: 10,184
- Cost of Attendance: $25,099 (In-State); $28,609 (Out-of-State)
- Median SAT: 1150
- Median ACT: 22
- Acceptance Rate: 99%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
Augustana University
- Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Academic Highlights: Augustana University offers students an impressive selection of 100 majors, minors, and pre-professional programs in a highly personalized learning environment. With an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio and average class size of just 21 students, learners benefit from close mentorship by expert faculty鈥�85% of whom hold terminal degrees in their fields. This academically rigorous environment attracts a diverse student body from 41 states and 54 countries.
Professional Outcomes: Augustana graduates achieve remarkable career outcomes, with 99% of the Class of 2024 employed or enrolled in graduate programs within six months of graduation. Alumni secured positions at 132 distinct organizations, with top employers including leading regional institutions like Sanford Health and Avera Health. The class reported a strong median salary of $54,500, with 61% choosing to launch their careers in South Dakota, including 55% in the thriving Sioux Falls metro area. For those pursuing advanced study, 26% enrolled at prestigious institutions ranging from Texas A&M to Tufts University, demonstrating Augustana’s ability to prepare students for both immediate career success and competitive graduate programs.
- Enrollment: 1,871
- Cost of Attendance: $56,140
- Median SAT: 1160
- Median ACT: 24
- Acceptance Rate: 66%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
We hope you have found our list of the Best Colleges in South Dakota to be useful and informative as you continue your college search process. We also invite you to check out some of our other resources and tools including:
