2024 South Dakota Colleges Graduation Rate Comparison
For the academic year 2022-2023, the average graduation rate at South Dakota colleges is 45.1%. The graduation rate is calculated by number of completers by dividing number of candidates. The completers have completed their degree/certificate within 150% of normal time, for example within 6 years for 4-years BS degree program. The average transfer-out rate is 16.4% and the average retention rate is 74.1% (full-time students).
South Dakota College Graduation, Transfer-out, Retention Rate Statistics
The next list shows the colleges with the highest and lowest graduation rate and more relative statistics. For that, we include only 4-year colleges and having more than 500 enrolled students.
- Augustana University has the highest graduation rate of 75% and Oglala Lakota College has the lowest graduation rate of 6% and .
- Presentation College has the highest transfer-out rate of 36% and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has the lowest transfer-out rate of 5% and .
- Sinte Gleska University has the highest retention rate of 100% and National American University-Rapid City has the lowest retention rate of 33% and .
Graduation Rate Comparison Between South Dakota Colleges
The following table lists South Dakota colleges with graduation, transfer-out, and retention rate. The graduation rate is based on the number of completers who completed their program within 150% normal time (i.e. within 6 years for 4 years B.S. degrees).
You can sort the table by column by clicking/touching column titles and narrow down the college list by using the buttons below.
| College Name | Graduation Rate | Transfer-out Rate | Retention Rate (full-time) | Retention Rate (part-time) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augustana University Sioux Falls, SD Private, 4 years four-years | 75% | 16% | 82% | 100 |
| Black Hills State University Spearfish, SD Public, 4 years four-years | 44% | - | 71% | 38 |
| Dakota State University Madison, SD Public, 4 years four-years | 48% | - | 74% | 77 |
| Dakota Wesleyan University Mitchell, SD Private, 4 years four-years | 53% | - | 69% | - |
| Lake Area Technical College Watertown, SD Public, 2-4 years | 70% | 4% | 81% | 43 |
| Mitchell Technical College Mitchell, SD Public, 2-4 years | 70% | 5% | 81% | 64 |
| Mount Marty University Yankton, SD Private, 4 years four-years | 56% | 23% | 71% | 60 |
| National American University-Rapid City Rapid City, SD Private, 4 years four-years | 33% | - | 33% | 21 |
| Northern State University Aberdeen, SD Public, 4 years four-years | 50% | 25% | 74% | 50 |
| Oglala Lakota College Kyle, SD Public, 4 years four-years | 6% | 16% | 67% | 29 |
| Presentation College Aberdeen, SD Private, 4 years four-years | 26% | 36% | 51% | - |
| South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Rapid City, SD Public, 4 years four-years | 55% | 5% | 83% | 63 |
| South Dakota State University Brookings, SD Public, 4 years four-years | 59% | - | 79% | 39 |
| Sinte Gleska University Mission, SD Public, 4 years four-years | 9% | - | 100% | 63 |
| University of Sioux Falls Sioux Falls, SD Private, 4 years four-years | 59% | 28% | 74% | 100 |
| Sisseton Wahpeton College Sisseton, SD Public, 4 years four-years | 6% | - | - | - |
| Southeast Technical College Sioux Falls, SD Public, 2-4 years | 58% | 8% | 72% | 67 |
| University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD Public, 4 years four-years | 57% | 25% | 82% | 53 |
| Western Dakota Technical College Rapid City, SD Public, 2-4 years | 52% | 6% | 66% | 56 |
| National American University-Ellsworth Box Elder, SD Private, 4 years four-years | 16% | - | - | 50 |
| Average | 45% | 16% | 74% | 59 |