2026 Best Science & Tech Schools in South Dakota
Looking for the best Science & Tech degree programs in South Dakota? We have ranked 27 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor analyzed 18 schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Science & Tech Degree Schools in South Dakota
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Leading the list is Augustana College South Dakota, our #1 Science & Tech school in South Dakota. Based in Sioux Falls, SD, Augustana College South Dakota is a private not-for-profit institution. Augustana College South Dakota posts a six-year graduation rate of 73%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,160. Students borrow a median of $26,217 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read more about Augustana College South Dakota
Out of the 18 schools in South Dakota in this year's ranking, South Dakota State University landed the #2 spot. Set 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, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,989 in student loans. More on South Dakota State University
A rank of #3 makes Northern State University one of the top choices in South Dakota. Based in Aberdeen, SD, Northern State University is a public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,845, compared with $11,947 for out-of-state students. Northern State University Science & Tech students take on a median of $26,143 in debt. Get the full Northern State University report
The strong Science & Tech programs at Dakota State University earned it the #4 place in South Dakota. Located in Madison, SD, Dakota State University is a public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,654 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,756 for out-of-state students. The median Science & Tech program debt is $28,724. Read the full report on Dakota State University
A rank of #5 makes Lake Area Technical Institute one of the top choices in South Dakota. Located in Watertown, SD, Lake Area Technical Institute is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,718. Graduates carry a median of $13,674 in student loans. More on Lake Area Technical Institute
Southeast Technical Institute came in at #6 in this year's ranking. 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 Science & Tech students take on a median of $18,442 in debt. Get the full Southeast Technical Institute report
Mitchell Technical Institute came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Based in Mitchell, SD, Mitchell Technical Institute is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,524. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $12,730. See the full Mitchell Technical Institute profile
University Of South Dakota did well this year, earning the #8 position. Based in Vermillion, SD, University Of South Dakota is a public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,432, compared with $12,942 for out-of-state students. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $26,322. See the full University Of South Dakota profile
University Of Sioux Falls came in at #9 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Sioux Falls, SD. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,750. The median Science & Tech program debt is $26,103. Read the full report on University Of Sioux Falls
National American University Rapid City placed #10 among Science & Tech schools in South Dakota. Located 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. Students borrow a median of $38,264 to complete their Science & Tech program here. See the full National American University Rapid City profile
Black Hills State University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Set in Spearfish, SD, Black Hills State University is a public institution. About 43% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,916, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Graduates carry a median of $26,820 in student loans. Get the full Black Hills State University report
Western Dakota Technical Institute ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Located in Rapid City, SD, Western Dakota Technical Institute is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,294. The median Science & Tech program debt is $15,620. See the full Western Dakota Technical Institute profile
California Intercontinental University placed #13 among Science & Tech schools in South Dakota. Get the full California Intercontinental University report
Sioux Falls Seminary did well this year, earning the #14 position. More on Sioux Falls Seminary
Sisseton Wahpeton College placed #15 among Science & Tech schools in South Dakota. More on Sisseton Wahpeton College
Sinte Gleska University landed the #16 spot in South Dakota this year. See the full Sinte Gleska University profile
Sanford Medical Center came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Sanford Medical Center
Dakota Wesleyan University did well this year, earning the #18 position. Get the full Dakota Wesleyan University report
Oglala Lakota College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Read the full report on Oglala Lakota College
Institute Of Lutheran Theology came in at #20 in this year's ranking. See the full Institute Of Lutheran Theology profile
Mount Marty College placed #21 among Science & Tech schools in South Dakota. More on Mount Marty College
Avera Sacred Heart Hospital landed the #22 spot in South Dakota this year. Read the full report on Avera Sacred Heart Hospital
Hot Rod Institute came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Get the full Hot Rod Institute report
Headlines Academy Inc ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. More on Headlines Academy Inc
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology did well this year, earning the #25 position. Get the full South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology report
Rest of the Top 15% Best Science & Tech Degree Schools in South Dakota
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Black Hills Beauty College landed the #26 spot in South Dakota this year. Read more about Black Hills Beauty College
Stewart School
Stewart School placed #27 among Science & Tech schools in South Dakota. Get the full Stewart School report
More Science & Tech Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 18 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 27 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.