by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in South Dakota? This list ranks 13 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. This is our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — see Customize Your Rankings below for aid-adjusted and by-degree views.
So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
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Our analysis looked at 13 schools in South Dakota to find which ones offer the best value. Our ranking is based on objective factors.
We start with the combined cost of average tuition, fees, and room and board — the published sticker price before any financial aid (the No Aid view). Value also depends on the quality of the education, not just the price. So we weigh that cost against outcomes like degree completion, educational resources, student-body caliber, and post-graduation earnings.
The result is a ranking of schools that give you the most for your money. View our full ranking methodology.
Your ideal school depends on your goals and budget. Narrow your list by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. Or choose a degree level:
Explore the best values below:
For return on investment, no school beat Mitchell Technical Institute this year in South Dakota. Based in Mitchell, SD, Mitchell Technical Institute is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,524. The median program debt is $12,730. Median earnings reach $50,743 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
You'll get strong value at Lake Area Technical Institute, which ranked #2 this year. This public school is set in Watertown, SD. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,718. Students borrow a median of $13,674 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,473 ten years after entry. Set against $13,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
You'll get strong value at Oglala Lakota College, which ranked #3 this year. Oglala Lakota College is a public school based in Kyle, SD. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,684. Median earnings reach $22,517 ten years out.
Western Dakota Technical Institute came in at #4 on this year's best-value ranking in South Dakota. Located in Rapid City, SD, Western Dakota Technical Institute is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,294. Students borrow a median of $15,620 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $40,240 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $15,620 median debt.
Out of the 13 schools in South Dakota in this year's value ranking, Sisseton Wahpeton College landed the #5 spot. This public school is set in Sisseton, SD. Students from in state pay about $4,330 in tuition and fees. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $31,546.
Sinte Gleska University placed #6 among the best values in South Dakota. This public school is set in Mission, SD. Students from in state pay about $4,714 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $20,948.
Black Hills State University placed #7 among the best values in South Dakota. Set in Spearfish, SD, Black Hills State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,916, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $26,820. Black Hills State University alumni report median earnings of $46,674 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,820 median debt. About 96% of those who apply are admitted.
Northern State University placed #8 among the best values in South Dakota. Set in Aberdeen, SD, Northern State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,845, compared with $11,947 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,143 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,618. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Technical Institute placed #9 among the best values in South Dakota. Southeast Technical Institute is a public school based in Sioux Falls, SD. Students from in state pay about $7,650 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt is $18,442. Median earnings reach $46,709 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $18,442 median debt.
South Dakota State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Brookings, SD, South Dakota State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,989 in student loans. South Dakota State University alumni report median earnings of $55,070 a decade after entry. Set against $24,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Dakota offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Vermillion, SD, University Of South Dakota is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,432, with out-of-state students paying around $12,942. University Of South Dakota students take on a median of $26,322 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,926 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,322 median debt. About 99% of those who apply are admitted.
Stewart School offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Located in Sioux Falls, SD, Stewart School is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $8,863 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $31,843 ten years out. Set against $8,863 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Black Hills Beauty College landed the #13 spot for value in South Dakota this year. Black Hills Beauty College is a private for-profit school based in Rapid City, SD. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete their program here. Black Hills Beauty College alumni report median earnings of $23,641 a decade after entry. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dakota Wesleyan University placed #14 among the best values in South Dakota. Located in Mitchell, SD, Dakota Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,790. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,728. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dakota Wesleyan University admits about 73% of applicants.
Dakota State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Dakota State University is a public school based in Madison, SD. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,654, compared with $12,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $28,724. Dakota State University alumni report median earnings of $50,970 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 88% of those who apply are admitted.
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology placed #16 among the best values in South Dakota. Set in Rapid City, SD, South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,500, with out-of-state students paying around $14,900. Typical student debt is $26,668. Median earnings reach $72,257 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 80% of those who apply are admitted.
University Of Sioux Falls offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Set in Sioux Falls, SD, University Of Sioux Falls is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,750. University Of Sioux Falls students take on a median of $26,103 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,521. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
National American University Rapid City came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. National American University Rapid City is a private for-profit school based in Rapid City, SD. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,065. Typical student debt is $38,264. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,325 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $38,264 median debt.
Headlines Academy Inc offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Located in Rapid City, SD, Headlines Academy Inc is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $9,619 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $29,547 ten years after entry. Set against $9,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mount Marty College placed #20 among the best values in South Dakota. This private not-for-profit school is set in Yankton, SD. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,600. Mount Marty College students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,179. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Mount Marty College has an acceptance rate of 43%.
Augustana College South Dakota came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Based in Sioux Falls, SD, Augustana College South Dakota is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,160 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,217 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,217 ten years after entry. Set against $26,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
California Intercontinental University came in at #22 in this year's value ranking.
Sioux Falls Seminary came in at #23 in this year's value ranking.
Avera Sacred Heart Hospital came in at #24 in this year's value ranking.
Hot Rod Institute came in at #25 in this year's value ranking.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 13 schools evaluated. References
More about our data sources and methodologies.