2027 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in South Dakota

[Secondary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong secondary education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value secondary education schools.
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2027 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in South Dakota
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in secondary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Secondary Education Schools
Northern State University earned the #1 spot for value among secondary education schools in South Dakota. Set in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,845, compared with $11,947 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,242 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Northern State University generally make around $46,042. Set against $24,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern State University admits about 93% of applicants.
Sinte Gleska University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #2 spot this year. Sinte Gleska University is a small public school located in the rural area of Mission. Students from in state pay about $4,714 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $20,948 ten years out.
Black Hills State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the town of Spearfish, Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,916 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,312 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $51,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at University Of South Dakota, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,432 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,942. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of University Of South Dakota earn a median of $46,542 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dakota State University earned it the #5 place for secondary education. Dakota State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,654, compared with $12,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,600 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Dakota State University earn a median of $51,970 early in their careers. Set against $26,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dakota State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Sioux Falls came in at #6 for value in secondary education this year. University Of Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,750. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Sioux Falls generally make around $40,171. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Marty College earned the #7 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the town of Yankton, Mount Marty College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,600. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $45,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Augustana College South Dakota came in at #8 for value in secondary education this year. Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $40,160. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Augustana College South Dakota generally make around $50,088. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Augustana College South Dakota admits about 68% of applicants.
More Secondary Education Rankings
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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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.