2027 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in South Dakota

[Biology Studies](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biology-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value biology studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in South Dakota
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biology studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Biology Studies Schools
Northern State University tops our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools in South Dakota. Northern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Aberdeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,947. Students borrow a median of $25,300 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $45,824. Set against $25,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Black Hills State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the town of Spearfish, Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,916 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $20,619. Biology Studies graduates of Black Hills State University earn a median of $33,518 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #3 spot this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $32,940. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Dakota earned it the #4 place for biology studies. Located in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,432, with out-of-state students paying around $12,942. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $30,167. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Rapid City, South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,500 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,900. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $26,668 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $75,838. Set against $26,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Sioux Falls earned the #6 position for value in biology studies this year. University Of Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux Falls. Students from in state pay about $21,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,196 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Sioux Falls generally make around $46,229. That is a strong return on a $25,196 median debt. University Of Sioux Falls admits about 83% of applicants.
Augustana College South Dakota landed the #7 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,160. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $50,088. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Augustana College South Dakota admits about 68% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.