South Dakota may be a relatively sparsely populated state, but it is full of great educational opportunities. The state has terrific, traditional colleges and universities, and the online opportunities expand your degree possibilities beyond your wildest imagination. Which are the best colleges and universities in South Dakota? That’s up to you but hopefully we can help you decide.
Education has more to do with how students engage with their professors and the material than any objective measure can show. That is why there is virtually no difference in student outcomes between online and traditional courses. If you buckle down, study the material, and engage with your instructors, your education and career will reflect the effort. In fact, smaller schools and even online universities might have an edge over some of their larger, traditional counterparts.
One interesting fact about South Dakota schools is that the state is part of a consortium of western states. They have agreed to allow students from each member state to pay in-state tuition when attending another state's public schools.
How Much Can You Make by Earning a Degree in South Dakota?
Earning a degree in South Dakota can significantly boost your earning potential. While salaries vary across industries and experience levels, having a higher education credential generally leads to better job prospects and increased income.
The average salary in South Dakota is $55,189 per year, with the most typical earnings around $37,000 annually. These figures provide a baseline for understanding the state's wage landscape. However, your specific field of study and career path will greatly influence your earning potential.
South Dakota's job market offers diverse opportunities across sectors like healthcare, business management, and education. By pursuing a degree aligned with high-demand industries, you can position yourself for higher-paying roles and long-term career growth in the Mount Rushmore State.
Education Level & National Average Median Compensation
| NO FORMAL EDUCATION | HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA | ASSOCIATE DEGREE | BACHELOR’S DEGREE | MASTER’S DEGREE | DOCTORAL DEGREE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $36,816* | $46,748* | $55,016* | $77,636* | $90,324* | $109,668* |
Best Associate Degree Programs in South Dakota
Mitchell Technical College
Score: 94.54
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,524
- Out-of-State:$7,524
- Net Price: $12,868
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 71%
- Total Enrollment: 1,132
- Undergrad Students: 1,132
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $41,300
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Lake Area Technical College
Score: 89.03
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,718
- Out-of-State:$6,718
- Net Price: $12,554
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 2,179
- Undergrad Students: 2,179
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $37,800
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Western Dakota Technical College
Score: 71.31
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,008
- Out-of-State:$8,008
- Net Price: $13,723
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
- Total Enrollment: 1,047
- Undergrad Students: 1,047
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $35,800
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
Top 10 Best Bachelor's Programs in South Dakota
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
Score: 81.79
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,400
- Out-of-State:$14,800
- Net Price: $20,243
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 58%
- Total Enrollment: 2,492
- Undergrad Students: 2,170
- Graduate Students: 322
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
South Dakota State University
Score: 80.95
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,299
- Out-of-State:$12,809
- Net Price: $18,233
- Acceptance Rate: 99%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 11,498
- Undergrad Students: 10,177
- Graduate Students: 1,321
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Mount Marty University
Score: 78.16
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $33,100
- Out-of-State:$33,100
- Net Price: $23,163
- Acceptance Rate: 48%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 1,314
- Undergrad Students: 1,096
- Graduate Students: 218
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Northern State University
Score: 77.69
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,845
- Out-of-State:$11,947
- Net Price: $16,873
- Acceptance Rate: 93%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Total Enrollment: 3,521
- Undergrad Students: 2,932
- Graduate Students: 589
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
University of South Dakota
Score: 77.57
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,432
- Out-of-State:$12,942
- Net Price: $18,466
- Acceptance Rate: 99%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 9,868
- Undergrad Students: 7,095
- Graduate Students: 2,773
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Augustana University
Score: 77.4
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $39,190
- Out-of-State:$39,190
- Net Price: $25,280
- Acceptance Rate: 59%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 2,158
- Undergrad Students: 1,871
- Graduate Students: 287
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
National American University-Rapid City
Score: 75.08
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,065
- Out-of-State:$16,065
- Net Price: $22,086
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 1,026
- Undergrad Students: 836
- Graduate Students: 190
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 6:1
Dakota State University
Score: 74.2
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,633
- Out-of-State:$12,735
- Net Price: $19,115
- Acceptance Rate: 98%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 3,508
- Undergrad Students: 2,950
- Graduate Students: 558
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
University of Sioux Falls
Score: 71.52
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $20,740
- Out-of-State:$20,740
- Net Price: $21,049
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 1,509
- Undergrad Students: 1,276
- Graduate Students: 233
- Grads Salary: $64,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Black Hills State University
Score: 71.08
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,000
- Out-of-State:$12,100
- Net Price: $16,474
- Acceptance Rate: 94%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 39%
- Total Enrollment: 3,475
- Undergrad Students: 3,279
- Graduate Students: 196
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Top 10 Best Master's Programs in South Dakota
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
Score: 81.79
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,100
- Out-of-State:$12,200
- Net Price: $20,243
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 58%
- Total Enrollment: 2,492
- Undergrad Students: 2,170
- Graduate Students: 322
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
South Dakota State University
Score: 80.95
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,164
- Out-of-State:$15,697
- Net Price: $18,233
- Acceptance Rate: 99%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 11,498
- Undergrad Students: 10,177
- Graduate Students: 1,321
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Mount Marty University
Score: 78.16
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,769
- Out-of-State:$12,769
- Net Price: $23,163
- Acceptance Rate: 48%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 1,314
- Undergrad Students: 1,096
- Graduate Students: 218
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Northern State University
Score: 77.69
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,999
- Out-of-State:$11,199
- Net Price: $16,873
- Acceptance Rate: 93%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Total Enrollment: 3,521
- Undergrad Students: 2,932
- Graduate Students: 589
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
University of South Dakota
Score: 77.57
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,123
- Out-of-State:$11,773
- Net Price: $18,466
- Acceptance Rate: 99%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 9,868
- Undergrad Students: 7,095
- Graduate Students: 2,773
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Augustana University
Score: 77.4
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $38,800
- Out-of-State:$38,800
- Net Price: $25,280
- Acceptance Rate: 59%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 2,158
- Undergrad Students: 1,871
- Graduate Students: 287
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
National American University-Rapid City
Score: 75.08
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,750
- Out-of-State:$15,750
- Net Price: $22,086
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 1,026
- Undergrad Students: 836
- Graduate Students: 190
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 6:1
Dakota State University
Score: 74.2
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,999
- Out-of-State:$11,199
- Net Price: $19,115
- Acceptance Rate: 98%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 3,508
- Undergrad Students: 2,950
- Graduate Students: 558
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
University of Sioux Falls
Score: 71.52
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,335
- Out-of-State:$7,335
- Net Price: $21,049
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 1,509
- Undergrad Students: 1,276
- Graduate Students: 233
- Grads Salary: $64,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Black Hills State University
Score: 71.08
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,998
- Out-of-State:$14,931
- Net Price: $16,474
- Acceptance Rate: 94%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 39%
- Total Enrollment: 3,475
- Undergrad Students: 3,279
- Graduate Students: 196
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Scholarships for South Dakota College Students
Scholarships and Grants are a great way to help pay for your college education. Since they will never need to be repaid, they never accrue interest. You might find that there are many scholarships that pay a small amount, such as $500. That might pay for one term's worth of supplies, but the real value comes later. Be sure to add every scholarship award to your resume. Future employers will take note, especially if you win a scholarship in an industry or occupation specific area.
EMFS
Erickson Merkel Foundation Scholarships
Amount: $500-$1,500
Deadline: March 31
This scholarship fund awards students between $500 and $1,500. To qualify, you should be a resident of South Dakota, among other Midwestern states. Your application should include an essay that discusses your efforts to reduce your college loan debt and how you intend to benefit your community.
MDSDDS
Midwest Dairy – South Dakota Division Scholarships
https://www.midwestdairy.com/for-farmers/scholarships/
Amount: $3,500 (2 Awards – Juniors & Seniors); $1,000 (3 Awards – Freshmen)
Deadline: March 15
If you intend on majoring in Dairy Science at South Dakota State University in Brookings, this is a great scholarship to pursue. Midwest Dairy awards a total of five scholarships to Dairy students – two $3,500 scholarships for upper class students (Juniors and Seniors) and then three $1,000 scholarships for incoming first year students. When you apply be sure to demonstrate financial need, upstanding character, leadership qualities, and academic achievement.
CTNS
Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship
https://www.sdbor.edu/student-information/scholarships/CTNS/Pages/default.aspx
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
The South Dakota Board of Regents administers this scholarship for budding educators. If you love children and want to help create tomorrow's leaders, this scholarship is for you. You will need to verify in writing that you will work as a South Dakota teacher for a minimum of five years. Qualifying students must be entering their Junior year and must also show a minimum of a 2.8 GPA. You must reapply to qualify for funds to cover your senior year. Before you apply, be certain to check with the Board of Regents to ascertain what teaching areas are currently considered critical. As a rule of thumb, school districts frequently need science and math teachers, but they may need other areas, too.
DCSP
Dakota Corps Scholarship Program
https://www.sdbor.edu/dakotacorps/Pages/How-Do-I-Apply.aspx
Amount: Varies
Deadline: February 1
This is a scholarship awarded by the state of South Dakota as an effort to retain the state's top talent. To apply, you must have a minimum GPA of 2.8, composite ACT scores of 27 (or the SAT equivalent), and agree to remain in the state and work in a critical need occupation. Qualifying occupations include:
- High School Math Teacher
- High School Science Teacher
- Accountants and Auditors
- Engineer (except mining)
- Information Technology
- Registered Nurse
JSS
Jump Start Scholarship
https://www.sdbor.edu/student-information/scholarships/Jump-Start-Scholarship/Pages/default.aspx
Amount: $1,500
Deadline: Varies
If you are in a hurry to get out of high school and graduate in three or fewer years you can apply to this scholarship fund. The South Dakota legislature instituted this scholarship to replay students for saving the state money in the public-school system. The award is $1,500 and will be distributed evenly between your first two terms of a college located in South Dakota.
SDOS
South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship
https://sdos.sdbor.edu/Pages/default.aspx
Amount: $1,300 (1st, 2nd, & 3rd year of attendance); $2,600 (4th year of attendance)
Deadline: Varies
This scholarship awards $6,500 over the course of four years to a top South Dakota student. Each year, students receive their award disbursed in two equal payments. You must complete your education in eight consecutive fall and spring semesters. You should attend a South Dakota institution such as: Black Hills State University, University of South Dakota, or South Dakota State University, among others.
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