# Best Colleges in South Dakota

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 14 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-south-dakota

## Methodology

Composite score for institutions in South Dakota

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

Choosing a college is a significant decision, especially in a state like South Dakota, where education can shape future career opportunities. The schools on this list share a commitment to preparing students for success in the workforce, with strong programs that lead to solid earnings after graduation. On average, graduates from these institutions earn around $51,666 annually, which is a compelling figure for anyone weighing their options.

What sets the top colleges apart are their graduation rates, debt levels, and post-graduation earnings. For instance, institutions with higher graduation rates tend to correlate with better earning potential. The list below highlights the schools that excel in these areas, showing how to balance financial considerations against the likelihood of completing a degree and landing a well-paying job afterward.

Take Mitchell Technical College and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, for example. While Mitchell Technical College has a higher graduation rate at 74% compared to the School of Mines' 56%, the latter boasts significantly higher average earnings of $72,257 upon graduation. Understanding these nuances can help students and families make informed choices that align with their career goals and financial realities.

## Key Findings

- Mitchell Technical College graduates earn an average of $50,743, with a 74% graduation rate.
- South Dakota School of Mines and Technology offers the highest earnings at $72,257, but has a 56% graduation rate.
- Northern State University has a lower average earning of $47,618, with a 51% graduation rate.
- Lake Area Technical College graduates face a debt of only $12,000, while South Dakota State University's graduates leave with $23,250.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Mitchell Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mitchell-technical-college) | Mitchell, SD | 74% | $50,743 | $13,460 | $12,000 | 0.24x |
| 2 | [Lake Area Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lake-area-technical-college) | Watertown, SD | 69% | $45,473 | $15,979 | $12,000 | 0.26x |
| 3 | [University of Sioux Falls](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-sioux-falls) | Sioux Falls, SD | 62% | $54,521 | $21,383 | $23,249 | 0.43x |
| 4 | [Southeast Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southeast-technical-college) | Sioux Falls, SD | 56% | $46,709 | $17,400 | $12,000 | 0.26x |
| 5 | [University of South Dakota](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-south-dakota) | Vermillion, SD | 61% | $51,926 | $19,858 | $23,592 | 0.45x |
| 6 | [Mount Marty University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mount-marty-university) | Yankton, SD | 56% | $48,179 | $22,227 | $26,396 | 0.55x |
| 7 | [Western Dakota Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/western-dakota-technical-college) | Rapid City, SD | 54% | $40,240 | $12,670 | $15,000 | 0.37x |
| 8 | [South Dakota School of Mines and Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/south-dakota-school-of-mines-and-technology) | Rapid City, SD | 56% | $72,257 | $20,183 | $27,000 | 0.37x |
| 9 | [Augustana University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/augustana-university) | Sioux Falls, SD | 74% | $59,217 | $23,894 | $25,000 | 0.42x |
| 10 | [South Dakota State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/south-dakota-state-university) | Brookings, SD | 61% | $55,070 | $19,841 | $23,250 | 0.42x |
| 11 | [Northern State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northern-state-university) | Aberdeen, SD | 51% | $47,618 | $15,812 | $22,320 | 0.47x |
| 12 | [Dakota State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/dakota-state-university) | Madison, SD | 50% | $50,970 | $21,057 | $23,500 | 0.46x |
| 13 | [Dakota Wesleyan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/dakota-wesleyan-university) | Mitchell, SD | 47% | $53,728 | $19,735 | $27,000 | 0.5x |
| 14 | [Black Hills State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/black-hills-state-university) | Spearfish, SD | 40% | $46,674 | $15,911 | $26,000 | 0.56x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Colleges in South Dakota." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-south-dakota

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.