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Best Schools in South Dakota

2023 Best Schools in South Dakota

12 Schools Ranked
$50,520 Average Earnings
$19,316 Avg Student Debt

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamp with offerings that you might find attractive.

The Best Schools in South Dakota ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 12 schools in South Dakota to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Schools in South Dakota

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Augustana University

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
721 Total Awards
$50,088 Average Earnings

Our analysis found Augustana University to be the best school for students in South Dakota. Augustana Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It awarded 721 degrees in .

Once they receive their degree, Augustana Sioux Falls graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,088 during the early year of their career.

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#2

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
2,530 Total Awards
$51,260 Average Earnings
$26,366 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend South Dakota State University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Schools in South Dakota list. South Dakota State University is a fairly large public school located in Brookings, South Dakota that handed out 2,530 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,366 in student loans. During the early years of their career, South Dakota State graduates make an average of $51,260 annually.

Full South Dakota State University Report

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#3

Northern State University

Aberdeen, South Dakota
473 Total Awards
$45,824 Average Earnings

Out of the 12 schools in South Dakota that were part of this year’s ranking, Northern State University landed the # 3 spot on the list. NSU is a public institution located in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 473 degrees in .

During the early years of their career, NSU graduates make an average of $45,824 annually.

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#4

Dakota State University

Madison, South Dakota
663 Total Awards
$51,970 Average Earnings
$23,346 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Dakota State University is a great place for students. Dakota State is a public institution located in Madison, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 663 degrees in .

On average, students take out $23,346 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Dakota State graduates make an average of $51,970 annually.

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#5

Lake Area Technical Institute

Watertown, South Dakota
939 Total Awards
$43,424 Average Earnings
$10,306 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 12 schools in South Dakota that were part of this year’s ranking, Lake Area Technical Institute landed the # 5 spot on the list. LATI is a small public school situated in Watertown, South Dakota. It awarded 939 degrees in .

Degree recipients from LATI accumulate an average of $10,306 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, LATI graduates make an average of $43,424 annually.

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#6

Southeast Technical College

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
924 Total Awards
$48,654 Average Earnings

Southeast Technical College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in South Dakota ranking. Southeast Tech is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and has a small student population. In , this school awarded 924 degrees to qualified students.

After graduating from Southeast Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,654 during the early years of their career.

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#7

Mitchell Technical College

Mitchell, South Dakota
519 Total Awards
$47,686 Average Earnings
$14,071 Avg Student Debt

Mitchell Technical College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Mitchell Tech is located in Mitchell, South Dakota and has a small student population. In , this school awarded 519 degrees to qualified students.

Degree recipients from Mitchell Tech accumulate an average of $14,071 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Mitchell Tech graduates make an average of $47,686 annually.

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#8

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
2,178 Total Awards
$51,566 Average Earnings
$19,237 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #8, University of South Dakota did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. University of South Dakota is a medium-sized public school located in Vermillion, South Dakota that handed out 2,178 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,237 in student loans. During the early years of their career, USD graduates make an average of $51,566 annually.

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#9

University of Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
492 Total Awards
$46,956 Average Earnings
$26,359 Avg Student Debt

University of Sioux Falls landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 492 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,359 in student loans. During the early years of their career, University of Sioux Falls graduates make an average of $46,956 annually.

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#11

Black Hills State University

Spearfish, South Dakota
521 Total Awards
$42,789 Average Earnings
$15,682 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #11, Black Hills State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. BHSU is located in Spearfish, South Dakota and has a small student population. In , this school awarded 521 degrees to qualified students.

Degree recipients from BHSU accumulate an average of $15,682 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, BHSU graduates make an average of $42,789 annually.

Full Black Hills State University Report

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#12

Western Dakota Technical Institute

Rapid City, South Dakota
431 Total Awards
$37,839 Average Earnings

Western Dakota Technical Institute ranked #12 on this year’s Best Schools in South Dakota list. Western Dakota Technical Institute is a small public school located in Rapid City, South Dakota that handed out 431 degrees in .

After graduating from Western Dakota Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,839 during the early years of their career.

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 12 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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