Best Colleges in South Dakota

All 20 colleges in South Dakota, ranked by overall quality and led by Augustana University, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and Mitchell Technical College. 13 public, 7 private. median out-of-state tuition $11,947. lowest in-state tuition $2,684 at Oglala Lakota College. Each school below shows its acceptance rate, tuition and average SAT.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best college in South Dakota?

Based on our overall rankings, Augustana University is the top-ranked college in South Dakota. Other strong choices include South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Mitchell Technical College, South Dakota State University.

How many colleges are in South Dakota?

We track 20 four-year colleges in South Dakota, including 13 public institutions and 7 private ones.

How much does college cost in South Dakota?

The average out-of-state tuition across colleges we track in South Dakota is approximately $11,947 per year. In-state students at public schools typically pay significantly less, and most schools offer financial aid that reduces the effective cost.

What are the best public colleges in South Dakota?

The best public colleges in South Dakota include South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Mitchell Technical College, South Dakota State University. Public universities typically offer lower tuition for in-state residents.

What are the best private colleges in South Dakota?

The best private colleges in South Dakota include Augustana University, University of Sioux Falls, Dakota Wesleyan University. Private colleges may offer more generous financial aid despite higher sticker prices.

How are these South Dakota rankings determined?

Our overall rankings are calculated independently from publicly available data including U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS, and aggregated student-experience signals — not from US News or any other publication.

1. Augustana University — Sioux Falls, SD · 67.8% acceptance · SAT 1,195 · $40,160 tuition · 73% grad rate
2. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology — Rapid City, SD · 79.9% acceptance · SAT 1,245 · $14,900 tuition · 53% grad rate
3. Mitchell Technical College — Mitchell, SD · $7,524 tuition · 76% grad rate
4. South Dakota State University — Brookings, SD · 98.3% acceptance · SAT 1,120 · $12,809 tuition · 62% grad rate
5. University of Sioux Falls — Sioux Falls, SD · 82.9% acceptance · $21,750 tuition · 63% grad rate
6. Lake Area Technical College — Watertown, SD · $6,718 tuition · 73% grad rate
7. University of South Dakota — Vermillion, SD · 98.8% acceptance · SAT 1,125 · $12,942 tuition · 60% grad rate
8. Dakota Wesleyan University — Mitchell, SD · 73.4% acceptance · $33,790 tuition · 48% grad rate
9. Dakota State University — Madison, SD · 88.1% acceptance · SAT 1,215 · $12,756 tuition · 51% grad rate
10. Mount Marty University — Yankton, SD · 42.6% acceptance · SAT 1,120 · $34,600 tuition · 52% grad rate
11. Southeast Technical College — Sioux Falls, SD · $7,650 tuition · 59% grad rate
12. Northern State University — Aberdeen, SD · 93% acceptance · SAT 1,089 · $11,947 tuition · 49% grad rate
13. Western Dakota Technical College — Rapid City, SD · $8,294 tuition · 54% grad rate
14. Black Hills State University — Spearfish, SD · 96.3% acceptance · SAT 1,087 · $11,866 tuition · 43% grad rate
15. Sinte Gleska University — Mission, SD · $4,714 tuition · 6% grad rate
16. National American University-Rapid City — Rapid City, SD · $16,065 tuition · 20% grad rate
17. Oglala Lakota College — Kyle, SD · $2,684 tuition · 9% grad rate
18. Kairos University — Sioux Falls, SD · 84.6% acceptance · $3,600 tuition
19. Sisseton Wahpeton College — Sisseton, SD · $4,330 tuition · 21% grad rate
20. California Intercontinental University — Sioux Falls, SD

Best Colleges in South Dakota on PickACampus