by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in South Dakota, it can be hard to know where to start. This list ranks **9** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual analyzed 9 colleges using more than 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Here are the top-ranked colleges:
No school ranked higher than Mitchell Technical Institute this year in South Dakota. Located in Mitchell, SD, Mitchell Technical Institute is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,524. Early-career graduates earn a median of $47,686. The median student debt is $12,730.
Out of the 9 colleges in South Dakota in this year's ranking, Southeast Technical Institute landed the #2 spot. Located in Sioux Falls, SD, Southeast Technical Institute is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,650. Southeast Technical Institute graduates report median early-career earnings of $48,654. Students borrow a median of $18,442 to complete a degree here.
Lake Area Technical Institute came in at #3 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in South Dakota. Based in Watertown, SD, Lake Area Technical Institute is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,718. Lake Area Technical Institute graduates report median early-career earnings of $43,424. Graduates carry a median of $13,674 in student loans.
The strong outcomes at South Dakota State University earned it the #4 place in South Dakota. Based in Brookings, SD, South Dakota State University is a public institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Median early-career earnings reach $51,260. Typical student debt is $24,989.
Out of the 9 colleges in South Dakota in this year's ranking, University Of Sioux Falls landed the #5 spot. Based in Sioux Falls, SD, University Of Sioux Falls is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Sioux Falls graduates 62% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $21,750. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,956 early in their careers. University Of Sioux Falls students take on a median of $26,103 in debt.
University Of South Dakota ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Located in Vermillion, SD, University Of South Dakota is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Students from in state pay about $9,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,942 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,566 early in their careers. The median student debt is $26,322.
Dakota State University placed #7 among the best colleges in South Dakota. Located in Madison, SD, Dakota State University is a public institution. Dakota State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, with out-of-state students paying around $12,756. Early-career graduates earn a median of $51,970. Students borrow a median of $28,724 to complete a degree here.
Northern State University landed the #8 spot in South Dakota this year. Based in Aberdeen, SD, Northern State University is a public institution. Northern State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. Students from in state pay about $8,845 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,947. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,824 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,143 to complete a degree here.
Western Dakota Technical Institute placed #9 among the best colleges in South Dakota. Based in Rapid City, SD, Western Dakota Technical Institute is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,839 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $15,620 in student loans.
Black Hills State University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Set in Spearfish, SD, Black Hills State University is a public institution. About 43% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,916, with out-of-state students paying around $12,018. Black Hills State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $42,789. The median student debt is $26,820.
National American University Rapid City placed #11 among the best colleges in South Dakota. National American University Rapid City is a private for-profit school based in Rapid City, SD. Students from in state pay about $16,065 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $47,873. The median student debt is $38,264.
Oglala Lakota College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Set in Kyle, SD, Oglala Lakota College is a public institution. About 9% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $2,684.
Sinte Gleska University placed #13 among the best colleges in South Dakota. Sinte Gleska University is a public school based in Mission, SD. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. In-state tuition and fees average $4,714.
Sisseton Wahpeton College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Based in Sisseton, SD, Sisseton Wahpeton College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,330.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.