by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in South Dakota, narrowing things down is no easy task. Our ranking highlights **10** colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual evaluated 10 colleges across over 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.
Explore the leading colleges below:
Augustana College South Dakota tops our 2026 ranking of the best colleges in South Dakota. This private not-for-profit school is set in Sioux Falls, SD. Augustana College South Dakota posts a six-year graduation rate of 73%. Students from in state pay about $40,160 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $50,088. The median student debt is $26,217.
You'll be in good company at South Dakota State University, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Brookings, SD, South Dakota State University is a public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $51,260. South Dakota State University students take on a median of $24,989 in debt.
The strong outcomes at University Of South Dakota earned it the #3 place in South Dakota. University Of South Dakota is a public school based in Vermillion, SD. About 60% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,432, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,566 early in their careers. The median student debt is $26,322.
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology came in at #4 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in South Dakota. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a public school based in Rapid City, SD. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,500, while out-of-state students pay about $14,900. Median early-career earnings reach $75,838. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology students take on a median of $26,668 in debt.
Out of the 10 colleges in South Dakota in this year's ranking, Dakota State University landed the #5 spot. Based in Madison, SD, Dakota State University is a public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,654, with out-of-state students paying around $12,756. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,970 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $28,724.
University Of Sioux Falls came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Set in Sioux Falls, SD, University Of Sioux Falls is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,750. Median early-career earnings reach $46,956. University Of Sioux Falls students take on a median of $26,103 in debt.
Dakota Wesleyan University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Dakota Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit school based in Mitchell, SD. Dakota Wesleyan University posts a six-year graduation rate of 48%. In-state tuition and fees average $33,790. Median early-career earnings reach $71,856. Dakota Wesleyan University students take on a median of $31,000 in debt.
Mount Marty College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Mount Marty College is a private not-for-profit school based in Yankton, SD. Mount Marty College posts a six-year graduation rate of 52%. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,600. Early-career graduates earn a median of $108,425. The median student debt is $27,000.
Northern State University landed the #9 spot in South Dakota this year. Northern State University is a public school based in Aberdeen, SD. About 55% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,947. Early-career graduates earn a median of $45,824. The median student debt is $26,143.
Black Hills State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Set in Spearfish, SD, Black Hills State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,916, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $42,789. Students borrow a median of $26,820 to complete a degree here.
National American University Rapid City placed #11 among the best colleges in South Dakota. Set in Rapid City, SD, National American University Rapid City is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,065. National American University Rapid City graduates report median early-career earnings of $47,873. The median student debt is $38,264.
Oglala Lakota College placed #12 among the best colleges in South Dakota. Located in Kyle, SD, Oglala Lakota College is a public institution. About 9% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $2,684 in tuition and fees.
Sinte Gleska University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. This public school is set in Mission, SD. About 50% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,714.
Sisseton Wahpeton College did well this year, earning the #14 position. Based in Sisseton, SD, Sisseton Wahpeton College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,330.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
These rankings are produced 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
See our data sources and methodologies.