2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in South Dakota
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts general studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts general studies students.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in South Dakota
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Northern State University tops our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools in South Dakota. Located in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,947. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $26,143 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $45,824. That is a strong return on a $26,143 median debt. Northern State University admits about 93% of applicants.
Black Hills State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $26,820. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Black Hills State University earn a median of $42,789 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Black Hills State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at South Dakota State University, which ranked #3. 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. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $20,866. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $32,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Dakota came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,432, compared with $12,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,092 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $35,907. That is a strong return on a $30,092 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dakota State University earned it the #5 place for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Madison, Dakota State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,654 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,756. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $37,250 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Dakota State University earn a median of $41,119 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dakota State University admits about 88% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
