by our College Data Analytics TeamAugustana College South Dakota ranks #1 of 13 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges in South Dakota ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 13 colleges average a 51% six-year graduation rate and $63,995 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 **13** colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual evaluated 13 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.
Augustana College South Dakota leads the 13 ranked colleges in South Dakota, followed by South Dakota State University (#2) and University Of South Dakota (#3). Explore the leading colleges below:
No school ranked higher than Augustana College South Dakota this year in South Dakota. Located in Sioux Falls, SD, Augustana College South Dakota is a private not-for-profit institution. Augustana College South Dakota graduates 73% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,160. Augustana College South Dakota graduates report median early-career earnings of $50,088. Students borrow a median of $26,217 to complete a degree here.
You'll be in good company at South Dakota State University, which ranked #2 this year. South Dakota State University is a public school based in Brookings, SD. South Dakota State University graduates 62% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $51,260. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete a degree here.
Out of the 13 colleges in South Dakota in this year's ranking, University Of South Dakota landed the #3 spot. Based in Vermillion, SD, University Of South Dakota is a public institution. University Of South Dakota graduates 60% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,432, with out-of-state students paying around $12,942. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,566 early in their careers. The median student debt is $26,322.
You'll be in good company at South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology, which ranked #4 this year. This public school is set in Rapid City, SD. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,500, while out-of-state students pay about $14,900. Median early-career earnings reach $75,838. The median student debt is $26,668.
You'll be in good company at Dakota State University, which ranked #5 this year. Dakota State University is a public school based in Madison, SD. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,654, with out-of-state students paying around $12,756. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $51,970. Typical student debt is $28,724.
University Of Sioux Falls did well this year, earning the #6 position. Based in Sioux Falls, SD, University Of Sioux Falls is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,750. University Of Sioux Falls graduates report median early-career earnings of $46,956. Graduates carry a median of $26,103 in student loans.
Mount Marty College came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Mount Marty College is a private not-for-profit school based in Yankton, SD. Mount Marty College graduates 52% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,600. Mount Marty College graduates report median early-career earnings of $108,425. Mount Marty College students take on a median of $27,000 in debt.
Dakota Wesleyan University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Mitchell, SD. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. In-state tuition and fees run about $33,790. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $71,856. Dakota Wesleyan University students take on a median of $31,000 in debt.
Northern State University placed #9 among the best colleges in South Dakota. Set in Aberdeen, SD, Northern State University is a public institution. Northern State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,947. Early-career graduates earn a median of $45,824. Students borrow a median of $26,143 to complete a degree here.
Black Hills State University placed #10 among the best colleges in South Dakota. Located in Spearfish, SD, Black Hills State University is a public institution. Black Hills State University graduates 43% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,916, with out-of-state students paying around $12,018. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $42,789. Typical student debt is $26,820.
National American University Rapid City did well this year, earning the #11 position. Set in Rapid City, SD, National American University Rapid City is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,065 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $47,873. National American University Rapid City students take on a median of $38,264 in debt.
Oglala Lakota College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Oglala Lakota College is a public school based in Kyle, SD. Oglala Lakota College posts a six-year graduation rate of 9%. In-state tuition and fees average $2,684.
Sinte Gleska University landed the #13 spot in South Dakota this year. Located in Mission, SD, Sinte Gleska University is a public institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $4,714.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This list is compiled 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.