South Dakota

Colleges in South Dakota: what they cost, and what graduates earn

10 South Dakota universities with published federal data, teaching about 26,597 students. Median in-state tuition $10,077, median graduate earnings $52,827 ten years after entry.

Median tuition$10,077in-state, before aid
Median earnings$52,82710 yrs after entry
Paying loans down70%national 65%
Median SAT1125where published

Cheapest universities in South DakotaLowest published in-state tuition.

UniversityIn-stateEarningsDebtRepayingSAT
Black Hills State University Spearfish $8,764 $46,674 $26,000 62% 1087
Northern State University Aberdeen $8,845 $47,618 $22,320 65% 1089
South Dakota State University Brookings $9,299 $55,070 $23,250 76% 1120
University of South Dakota Vermillion $9,432 $51,926 $23,592 69% 1125
Dakota State University Madison $9,654 $50,970 $23,500 67% 1215
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Rapid City $10,500 $72,257 $27,000 79% 1245
National American University-Rapid City Rapid City $16,065 $37,325 $29,020 24% —
University of Sioux Falls Sioux Falls $21,750 $54,521 $23,249 74% —

Highest graduate earnings in South DakotaMedian pay ten years after entry.

UniversityIn-stateEarningsDebtRepayingSAT
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Rapid City $10,500 $72,257 $27,000 79% 1245
Augustana University Sioux Falls $40,160 $59,217 $25,000 83% 1195
South Dakota State University Brookings $9,299 $55,070 $23,250 76% 1120
University of Sioux Falls Sioux Falls $21,750 $54,521 $23,249 74% —
Dakota Wesleyan University Mitchell $33,790 $53,728 $27,000 70% —
University of South Dakota Vermillion $9,432 $51,926 $23,592 69% 1125
Dakota State University Madison $9,654 $50,970 $23,500 67% 1215
Northern State University Aberdeen $8,845 $47,618 $22,320 65% 1089

Fastest debt payback in South DakotaYears of salary premium needed to clear the median debt.

UniversityIn-stateEarningsDebtRepayingSAT
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Rapid City $10,500 $72,257 $27,000 79% 1245
Augustana University Sioux Falls $40,160 $59,217 $25,000 83% 1195
South Dakota State University Brookings $9,299 $55,070 $23,250 76% 1120
University of Sioux Falls Sioux Falls $21,750 $54,521 $23,249 74% —
Dakota Wesleyan University Mitchell $33,790 $53,728 $27,000 70% —
University of South Dakota Vermillion $9,432 $51,926 $23,592 69% 1125
Dakota State University Madison $9,654 $50,970 $23,500 67% 1215
Northern State University Aberdeen $8,845 $47,618 $22,320 65% 1089

Most selective universities in South DakotaHighest average SAT of admitted students.

UniversityIn-stateEarningsDebtRepayingSAT
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Rapid City $10,500 $72,257 $27,000 79% 1245
Dakota State University Madison $9,654 $50,970 $23,500 67% 1215
Augustana University Sioux Falls $40,160 $59,217 $25,000 83% 1195
University of South Dakota Vermillion $9,432 $51,926 $23,592 69% 1125
South Dakota State University Brookings $9,299 $55,070 $23,250 76% 1120
Northern State University Aberdeen $8,845 $47,618 $22,320 65% 1089
Black Hills State University Spearfish $8,764 $46,674 $26,000 62% 1087

Scholarships at South Dakota universities

Aid you never repay is the cheapest money in the whole calculation.

Augustana University Global Leaders Scholarships, USA 2023
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Every South Dakota university we hold data for

Augustana University Black Hills State University Dakota State University Dakota Wesleyan University National American University-Rapid City Northern State University South Dakota School of Mines and Technology South Dakota State University University of Sioux Falls University of South Dakota

Studying in South Dakota: common questions

How much does college cost in South Dakota?
The median South Dakota university charges $10,077 in-state and $13,921 out-of-state, with a full cost of attendance around $25,569. After aid, families under $30,000 pay a median $15,251.
What do graduates of South Dakota universities earn?
A median $52,827 ten years after entry, against median debt of $24,296.
Do students in South Dakota repay their loans?
70% of borrowers at the median South Dakota university are paying their balance down three years after leaving, against 65% nationally.
What SAT score do South Dakota universities expect?
The median South Dakota university that publishes scores reports an average SAT of 1125. Many are test-optional and publish nothing.
All states South Dakota debt vs salary Cheapest US tuition Which degree pays best

Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Universities without published figures are not listed.