South Dakota Best College Rankings
Dakota State University ranked first and South Dakota State University ranked second in South Dakota college rankings. The 2024 average tuition & fees of the South Dakota best colleges is $14,345 for South Dakota residents and $16,613 for out-of-state students. The average acceptance rate is 87.57% and the average SAT score is 1,178. The average number of student population is 4,863 and the average student to faculty ratio is 16 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 $16,613 and Mount Marty University has the highest tuition & fees of $33,100 and Northern State University has the lowest tuition & fees of $11,947.
- The average graduate tuition & fees is $13,000 and South Dakota State University has the highest tuition & fees of $16,917 and University of Sioux Falls has the lowest tuition & fees of $7,335.
- The average SAT score is 1,178 and University of South Dakota has the highest SAT score of 1,195 and South Dakota State University has the lowest score of 1,150.
- The average acceptance rate is 87.57% and Mount Marty University has the tightest (lowest) rate of 48% and University of South Dakota has the loosest (lowest) rate of 99%.
- The average student population is 4,863 and South Dakota State University has the most students of 11,327 and Mount Marty University has the fewest students of 1,252.
- The average graduation rate is 54.71% and University of South Dakota has the highest rate of 61% and Black Hills State University has the lowest rate of 39%.
South Dakota Best Colleges Comparison
The below table compares the 7 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 | Dakota State University Madison, SD | $12,735 | $11,931 | 1,190 | 97.9% | 3,241 | 49% | 18 to 1 |
| 2 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SD | $12,809 | $16,917 | 1,150 | 98.7% | 11,327 | 60% | 18 to 1 |
| 3 | University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD | $12,942 | $12,768 | 1,195 | 99.0% | 9,856 | 61% | 14 to 1 |
| 4 | Black Hills State University Spearfish, SD | $12,018 | $15,849 | - | 94.4% | 3,425 | 39% | 18 to 1 |
| 5 | Northern State University Aberdeen, SD | $11,947 | $11,936 | - | 92.8% | 3,344 | 52% | 16 to 1 |
| 6 | University of Sioux Falls Sioux Falls, SD | $20,740 | $7,335 | - | 82.1% | 1,594 | 61% | 17 to 1 |
| 7 | Mount Marty University Yankton, SD | $33,100 | $14,264 | - | 48.1% | 1,252 | 61% | 13 to 1 |
| Average | $16,613 | $13,000 | 1,178 | 87.6% | 4,863 | 55% | 16 to 1 |
South Dakota Colleges by Ranking and School Type