by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in South Dakota, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. This list ranks **13** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed 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.
The best college for you depends on what you want to study. Narrow your list by location and field of study, or explore other rankings below. Or choose a degree level:
Looking to pit your favorite colleges against each other? Check out College Combat to weigh schools on the factors you care about most.
Explore the leading colleges below:
Augustana College South Dakota earned the #1 spot in this year's Best Colleges ranking in South Dakota. Based in Sioux Falls, SD, Augustana College South Dakota is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $40,160 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,088 early in their careers. The median student debt is $26,217.
You'll be in good company at Mitchell Technical Institute, which ranked #2 this year. Based in Mitchell, SD, Mitchell Technical Institute is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,524. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,686 early in their careers. The median student debt is $12,730.
The strong outcomes at South Dakota State University earned it the #3 place in South Dakota. Based in Brookings, SD, South Dakota State University is a public institution. South Dakota State University graduates 62% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $51,260. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete a degree here.
You'll be in good company at University Of South Dakota, which ranked #4 this year. Based in Vermillion, SD, University Of South Dakota is a public institution. University Of South Dakota graduates 60% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $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. University Of South Dakota students take on a median of $26,322 in debt.
Southeast Technical Institute came in at #5 on this year's Best Colleges ranking 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. Southeast Technical Institute graduates report median early-career earnings of $48,654. Typical student debt is $18,442.
Lake Area Technical Institute landed the #6 spot in South Dakota this year. 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. The median student debt is $13,674.
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Set in Rapid City, SD, South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a public institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,500, with out-of-state students paying around $14,900. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology graduates report median early-career earnings of $75,838. Students borrow a median of $26,668 to complete a degree here.
Dakota State University did well this year, earning the #8 position. Dakota State University is a public school based in Madison, SD. About 49% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,654, compared with $12,756 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $51,970. Typical student debt is $28,724.
University Of Sioux Falls landed the #9 spot in South Dakota this year. 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. University Of Sioux Falls graduates report median early-career earnings of $46,956. Students borrow a median of $26,103 to complete a degree here.
Dakota Wesleyan University did well this year, earning the #10 position. Located in Mitchell, SD, Dakota Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,790. Dakota Wesleyan University graduates report median early-career earnings of $71,856. Dakota Wesleyan University students take on a median of $31,000 in debt.
Mount Marty College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. This private not-for-profit school is set in Yankton, SD. About 52% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,600. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $108,425. The median student debt is $27,000.
Northern State University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Set in Aberdeen, SD, Northern State University is a public institution. Northern State University graduates 55% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,845, compared with $11,947 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,824 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $26,143.
Western Dakota Technical Institute placed #13 among the best colleges 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,839 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,620 to complete a degree here.
Black Hills State University landed the #14 spot in South Dakota this year. Set in Spearfish, SD, Black Hills State University is a public institution. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,916, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. Black Hills State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $42,789. Graduates carry a median of $26,820 in student loans.
National American University Rapid City came in at #15 in this year's 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,873 early in their careers. National American University Rapid City students take on a median of $38,264 in debt.
Oglala Lakota College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Oglala Lakota College is a public school based in Kyle, SD. The six-year graduation rate is 9%. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,684.
Sinte Gleska University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Mission, SD. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. Students from in state pay about $4,714 in tuition and fees.
Sanford Medical Center ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Based in Sioux Falls, SD, Sanford Medical Center is a private not-for-profit institution.
Sisseton Wahpeton College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. This public school is set in Sisseton, SD. Students from in state pay about $4,330 in tuition and fees.
Stewart School placed #20 among the best colleges in South Dakota. Located in Sioux Falls, SD, Stewart School is a private for-profit institution. Median early-career earnings reach $22,684. Graduates carry a median of $8,863 in student loans.
Black Hills Beauty College placed #21 among the best colleges in South Dakota. Black Hills Beauty College is a private for-profit school based in Rapid City, SD. Graduates go on to earn a median of $24,068 early in their careers. Black Hills Beauty College students take on a median of $12,500 in debt.
California Intercontinental University landed the #22 spot in South Dakota this year. Located in Sioux Falls, SD, California Intercontinental University is a private for-profit institution. California Intercontinental University graduates report median early-career earnings of $104,340.
Headlines Academy Inc did well this year, earning the #23 position. Located in Rapid City, SD, Headlines Academy Inc is a private for-profit institution. Early-career graduates earn a median of $23,191. The median student debt is $9,619.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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
More about our data sources and methodologies.