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Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota

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2023 Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota

17 Schools Ranked
$14,692 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$32,022 Avg Student Debt

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. 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. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

The Most Popular Bachelor's Degree 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 17 schools in South Dakota to see which ones were the most popular bachelor's degree programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.

Learn more about these popular schools below:

#1

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
1,977 Total Awards
$9,299 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,563 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named South Dakota State University the most popular school in South Dakota for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Brookings, South Dakota, the fairly large public school handed out 1,977 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $9,299 in tuition and fees if they attend South Dakota State full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,809. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,563 in student loans. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at South Dakota State. In fact, around 81% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full South Dakota State University Report

#2

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
1,333 Total Awards
$9,432 Average Tuition & Fees
$25,445 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means University of South Dakota is a great place for students working on their bachelor’s degree. USD is a medium-sized public school situated in Vermillion, South Dakota. It awarded 1,333 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students from South Dakota who attend USD full time pay an average of $9,432 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,942. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,445 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at USD. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 65% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full University of South Dakota Report

#3

Augustana University

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
567 Total Awards
$35,914 Average Tuition & Fees
$26,115 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 17 schools in South Dakota that were part of this year’s ranking, Augustana University landed the # 3 spot on the list. Augustana Sioux Falls is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 567 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $35,914 to cover tuition and fees at Augustana Sioux Falls. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Augustana Sioux Falls accumulate an average of $26,115 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.

Full Augustana University Report

#4

Black Hills State University

Spearfish, South Dakota
430 Total Awards
$8,916 Average Tuition & Fees
$27,112 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 17 schools in South Dakota that were part of this year’s ranking, Black Hills State University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Spearfish, South Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 430 students in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $8,916 in tuition and fees if they attend BHSU full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,018. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,112 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.

BHSU does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 63% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Black Hills State University

#5

University of Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
375 Total Awards
$19,900 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,830 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means University of Sioux Falls is a great place for students working on their bachelor’s degree. University of Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It awarded 375 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

If you want to attend University of Sioux Falls, expect to pay an average of $19,900 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,830 in student loans. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.

University of Sioux Falls does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 51% took at least some of their classes online.

Full University of Sioux Falls Report

#6

Dakota State University

Madison, South Dakota
364 Total Awards
$9,633 Average Tuition & Fees
$28,863 Avg Student Debt

Dakota State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #6 on the list. Madison, South Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 364 students in 2020-2021.

Full-time students from South Dakota pay an average of $9,633 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Dakota State. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,735. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,863 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 29% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Dakota State. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 73% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Dakota State University

360 Total Awards
$12,110 Average Tuition & Fees
$25,551 Avg Student Debt

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #7 on the list. SD Mines is a public institution located in Rapid City, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 360 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $12,110 in tuition and fees if they attend SD Mines full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $16,530. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $25,551 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 23% of those degree recipients were women.

Online courses are available at SD Mines, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 90% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

#8

Northern State University

Aberdeen, South Dakota
254 Total Awards
$8,845 Average Tuition & Fees
$28,374 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #8, Northern State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. NSU is a public institution located in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 254 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students from South Dakota who attend NSU full time pay an average of $8,845 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,947. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,374 in student loans. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at NSU. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 66% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#10

Dakota Wesleyan University

Mitchell, South Dakota
163 Total Awards
$30,880 Average Tuition & Fees
$30,274 Avg Student Debt

Dakota Wesleyan University ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Schools in South Dakota list. Dakota Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Mitchell, South Dakota. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 163 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $30,880 to cover tuition and fees at Dakota Wesleyan University. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Dakota Wesleyan University accumulate an average of $30,274 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Dakota Wesleyan University does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 10% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Dakota Wesleyan University Report

#11

Presentation College

Aberdeen, South Dakota
152 Total Awards
$22,006 Average Tuition & Fees
$43,547 Avg Student Debt

Presentation College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree programs. Located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, the very small private not-for-profit school awarded 152 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Presentation College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $22,006. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $43,547 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 71% of those degree recipients were women.

Online courses are available at Presentation College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 72% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Presentation College Report

#12

Mount Marty University

Yankton, South Dakota
125 Total Awards
$29,980 Average Tuition & Fees
$31,631 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #12, Mount Marty University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Mount Marty is located in Yankton, South Dakota and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 125 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.

If you want to attend Mount Marty, expect to pay an average of $29,980 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,631 in student loans. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Mount Marty does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 24% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#13

Oglala Lakota College

Kyle, South Dakota
62 Total Awards
$2,684 Average Tuition & Fees
$9,132 Avg Student Debt

Oglala Lakota College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Schools in South Dakota ranking. Located in Kyle, South Dakota, the small public school awarded 62 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees at Oglala Lakota College is $2,684. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $9,132 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Oglala Lakota College. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Read full report on Oglala Lakota College

#15

Sinte Gleska University

Mission, South Dakota
5 Total Awards
$3,154 Average Tuition & Fees

Sinte Gleska University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree programs. Located in Mission, South Dakota, the very small public school awarded 5 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Sinte Gleska University does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $3,154. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Sinte Gleska University Report

#16

Sioux Falls Seminary

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
2 Total Awards

Sioux Falls Seminary did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #16 on the list. Sioux Falls, South Dakota is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 2 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out North American Baptist Seminary. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Read More…

#17

Institute of Lutheran Theology

Brookings, South Dakota
$9,978 Average Tuition & Fees

Institute of Lutheran Theology came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Schools in South Dakota ranking.

If you want to attend ILT, expect to pay an average of $9,978 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.

Full Institute of Lutheran Theology Report

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 17 schools only.

References

  • 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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