South Dakota Best College Rankings
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ranked first and South Dakota State University ranked second in South Dakota college rankings. The 2025 average tuition & fees of the South Dakota best colleges is $15,191 for South Dakota residents and $18,132 for out-of-state students. The average acceptance rate is 83.06% and the average SAT score is 1,180. The average number of student population is 3,884 and the average student to faculty ratio is 15 to 1.
Below statements summarize the average statistics of tuition, admission, and more academic factors for South Dakota best colleges. For the statistics, we only include 4 years colleges such as national universities and liberal arts colleges.
- The average undergraduate tuition & fees is $18,132 and Augustana University has the highest tuition & fees of $40,160 and California Intercontinental University has the lowest tuition & fees of $9,504.
- The average graduate tuition & fees is $15,991 and Augustana University has the highest tuition & fees of $40,830 and University of Sioux Falls has the lowest tuition & fees of $7,470.
- The average SAT score is 1,180 and Dakota State University has the highest SAT score of 1,320 and Black Hills State University has the lowest score of 1,060.
- The average acceptance rate is 83.06% and Mount Marty University has the tightest (lowest) rate of 43% and University of South Dakota has the loosest (lowest) rate of 99%.
- The average student population is 3,884 and South Dakota State University has the most students of 12,056 and California Intercontinental University has the fewest students of 623.
- The average graduation rate is 52.36% and Augustana University has the highest rate of 73% and California Intercontinental University has the lowest rate of 10%.
South Dakota Best Colleges Comparison
The below table compares the 11 best colleges in South Dakota with important academic factors. You can sort the table by touching/clicking a column name that you want to sort.
| Rank | College Name | Undergraduate Tuition & Fees | Graduate Tuition & Fees | SAT Score | Acceptance Rate | Population | Graduation Rate | Student to Faculty Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Rapid City, SD | $14,900 | $14,600 | 1,230 | 79.9% | 2,576 | 53% | 12 to 1 |
| 2 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SD | $12,809 | $16,917 | 1,130 | 98.3% | 12,056 | 62% | 17 to 1 |
| 3 | University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD | $12,942 | $12,768 | 1,205 | 98.8% | 10,619 | 60% | 16 to 1 |
| 4 | Dakota State University Madison, SD | $12,756 | $11,931 | 1,320 | 88.1% | 3,774 | 51% | 18 to 1 |
| 5 | Black Hills State University Spearfish, SD | $12,018 | $15,849 | 1,060 | 96.3% | 3,346 | 43% | 17 to 1 |
| 6 | Augustana University Sioux Falls, SD | $40,160 | $40,830 | 1,255 | 67.8% | 2,390 | 73% | 12 to 1 |
| 7 | Northern State University Aberdeen, SD | $11,947 | $11,936 | 1,060 | 93.0% | 3,708 | 49% | 19 to 1 |
| 8 | University of Sioux Falls Sioux Falls, SD | $21,750 | $7,470 | - | 82.9% | 1,450 | 63% | 18 to 1 |
| 9 | National American University-Rapid City Rapid City, SD | $16,065 | $16,425 | - | - | 903 | 60% | 6 to 1 |
| 10 | Mount Marty University Yankton, SD | $34,600 | $16,499 | - | 42.6% | 1,284 | 52% | 12 to 1 |
| 11 | California Intercontinental University Sioux Falls, SD | $9,504 | $10,674 | - | - | 623 | 10% | 16 to 1 |
| Average | $18,132 | $15,991 | 1,180 | 83.1% | 3,884 | 52% | 15 to 1 |
South Dakota Colleges by Ranking and School Type