by our College Data Analytics TeamSouth Dakota State University ranks #1 of 15 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Associate’s Degree Colleges in South Dakota ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 15 colleges average a 49% six-year graduation rate and $54,263 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in South Dakota, it can be hard to know where to start. We have ranked **15** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual analyzed 15 colleges on more than 20 objective measures 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.
South Dakota State University leads the 15 ranked colleges in South Dakota, followed by Mitchell Technical Institute (#2) and Southeast Technical Institute (#3). Learn more about these excellent colleges below:
South Dakota State University tops our 2027 ranking of the best colleges in South Dakota. Located in Brookings, SD, South Dakota State University is a public institution. South Dakota State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 62%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. South Dakota State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $51,260. Typical student debt is $24,989.
Out of the 15 colleges in South Dakota in this year's ranking, Mitchell Technical Institute landed the #2 spot. Located in Mitchell, SD, Mitchell Technical Institute is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,524 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,686 early in their careers. The median student debt is $12,730.
You'll be in good company at Southeast Technical Institute, which ranked #3 this year. Set in Sioux Falls, SD, Southeast Technical Institute is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,650. Median early-career earnings reach $48,654. The median student debt is $18,442.
Out of the 15 colleges in South Dakota in this year's ranking, Lake Area Technical Institute landed the #4 spot. This public school is set in Watertown, SD. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,718. Median early-career earnings reach $43,424. Lake Area Technical Institute students take on a median of $13,674 in debt.
University Of Sioux Falls came in at #5 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in South Dakota. University Of Sioux Falls is a private not-for-profit school based in Sioux Falls, SD. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,750. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $46,956. Students borrow a median of $26,103 to complete a degree here.
Dakota State University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Set 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,756. Dakota State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $51,970. Graduates carry a median of $28,724 in student loans.
University Of South Dakota placed #7 among the best colleges in South Dakota. This public school is set in Vermillion, SD. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Students from in state pay about $9,432 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,942. Median early-career earnings reach $51,566. Students borrow a median of $26,322 to complete a degree here.
Northern State University landed the #8 spot in South Dakota this year. Located in Aberdeen, SD, Northern State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,947. Early-career graduates earn a median of $45,824. Graduates carry a median of $26,143 in student loans.
Black Hills State University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Based in Spearfish, SD, Black Hills State University is a public institution. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,916, with out-of-state students paying around $12,018. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,789 early in their careers. Black Hills State University students take on a median of $26,820 in debt.
Western Dakota Technical Institute landed the #10 spot in South Dakota this year. Western Dakota Technical Institute is a public school based in Rapid City, SD. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Median early-career earnings reach $37,839. The median student debt is $15,620.
National American University Rapid City ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. 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. Early-career graduates earn a median of $47,873. The median student debt is $38,264.
Oglala Lakota College landed the #12 spot in South Dakota this year. Oglala Lakota College is a public school based in Kyle, SD. About 9% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,684.
Sinte Gleska University did well this year, earning the #13 position. Sinte Gleska University is a public school based in Mission, SD. Sinte Gleska University graduates 50% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,714.
Sisseton Wahpeton College came in at #14 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Sisseton, SD. Students from in state pay about $4,330 in tuition and fees.
California Intercontinental University did well this year, earning the #15 position. Located in Sioux Falls, SD, California Intercontinental University is a private for-profit institution. Early-career graduates earn a median of $104,340.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Rankings consider 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.