2026 Best General Studies Schools in South Dakota
General Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools to find the best for general studies students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for General Studies in South Dakota
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in General Studies
University Of South Dakota tops our 2026 ranking of the best general studies schools. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of South Dakota awarded about 60 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from University Of South Dakota earn around $35,907 in the first couple years of their career. University Of South Dakota graduates carry a median of $30,092 in student loans.
See the full general studies program report for University Of South Dakota
South Dakota State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general studies, ranking #2. This large public university is located in the town of Brookings. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. South Dakota State University awarded about 97 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $32,134. South Dakota State University graduates carry a median of $20,866 in student loans.
See the full general studies program report for South Dakota State University
A rank of #3 makes Northern State University one of the top schools for general studies. Set in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Northern State University awarded about 18 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Northern State University earn a median of $45,824 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,143 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general studies program at Northern State University
Dakota State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Located in the town of Madison, Dakota State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 26 general studies degrees were awarded at Dakota State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $41,119 in their early career. Dakota State University graduates carry a median of $37,250 in student loans.
See the full general studies program report for Dakota State University
A rank of #5 makes Black Hills State University one of the top schools for general studies. Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Spearfish. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. There were roughly 33 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Black Hills State University in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Black Hills State University earn a median of $42,789 early in their careers. Black Hills State University graduates carry a median of $26,820 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general studies from Black Hills State University
More General Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 12 schools evaluated.
- 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.
