by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the graduate school options in South Dakota, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. This list ranks **8** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed 8 graduate schools 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 is the early-career salary range across the top-ranked graduate schools:
Explore the leading graduate schools below:
Augustana College South Dakota earned the #1 spot in this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in South Dakota. Based in Sioux Falls, SD, Augustana College South Dakota is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,160. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $50,088. Graduates carry a median of $26,217 in student loans.
Out of the 8 graduate schools in South Dakota in this year's ranking, South Dakota State University landed the #2 spot. South Dakota State University is a public school based in Brookings, SD. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $51,260. Graduates carry a median of $24,989 in student loans.
University Of South Dakota came in at #3 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in South Dakota. Set in Vermillion, SD, University Of South Dakota is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. In-state tuition and fees average $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. University Of South Dakota students take on a median of $26,322 in debt.
The strong outcomes at South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology earned it the #4 place in South Dakota. Set in Rapid City, SD, South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a public institution. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 52%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Graduates carry a median of $26,668 in student loans.
Out of the 8 graduate schools in South Dakota in this year's ranking, Dakota State University landed the #5 spot. This public school is set in Madison, SD. Dakota State University graduates 49% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,654, compared with $12,756 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $51,970. The median student debt is $28,724.
University Of Sioux Falls did well this year, earning the #6 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Sioux Falls, SD. About 62% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. This private not-for-profit school is set in Mitchell, SD. About 48% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,790. Median early-career earnings reach $71,856. Graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans.
Mount Marty College did well this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Yankton, SD, Mount Marty College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Students from in state pay about $34,600 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $108,425. Mount Marty College students take on a median of $27,000 in debt.
Northern State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Based in Aberdeen, SD, Northern State University is a public institution. Northern State University graduates 55% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,845, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Black Hills State University placed #10 among the best graduate schools in South Dakota. This public school is set in Spearfish, SD. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,916, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. Black Hills State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $42,789. Students borrow a median of $26,820 to complete a degree here.
National American University Rapid City landed the #11 spot in South Dakota this year. 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. Early-career graduates earn a median of $47,873. Graduates carry a median of $38,264 in student loans.
Oglala Lakota College came in at #12 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Kyle, SD. Roughly 9% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $2,684.
Sinte Gleska University did well this year, earning the #13 position. Sinte Gleska University is a public school based in Mission, SD. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $4,714.
California Intercontinental University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Set 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.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
The ranking above is published 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
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.