2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in South Dakota

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The two-year student loan default rate measures how many graduates from the institution go into default on their student loans with two years of graduation. This is a complicated metric with many factors, but in general colleges and universities with high student loan default rates may indicate that students have trouble finding employment or well-paying jobs after college. This may mean that the institution has a less-established reputation with employers or that it graduates a higher percentage of students with degrees in lower-wage fields of study.

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Rank	Institution	Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year)	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	South Dakota State University	2.7	98.34	1,020 – 1,220	18233	49564	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in South Dakota South Dakota State University Brookings, SD South Dakota State University is the largest university in the state. Each year, the school receives around 7,300 applications. 94% of enrolled students get grant aid, $4,327 on average. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse is the most commonly chosen major by far. Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 2.7 % Acceptance Rate 98.3% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $18,233 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,564
2	Augustana University	3	67.75	1,090 – 1,290	25280	49826	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in South Dakota Augustana University Sioux Falls, SD At Augustana University, navy blue and gold are the official colors of the Vikings, who compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Education, General, and Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse are the most popular majors on campus, and the school has a 11 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio....Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 3.0 % Acceptance Rate 67.8% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $25,280 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,826
3	University of Sioux Falls	3.4	82.98	970 – 1,140	21049	46712	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in South Dakota University of Sioux Falls Sioux Falls, SD Based in Sioux Falls, the University of Sioux Falls accepted 83% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 100% of students at the University of Sioux Falls currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more......Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 3.4 % Acceptance Rate 83.0% SAT Score 970 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $21,049 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,712
4	South Dakota School of Mines and Technology	3.7	85.25	1,180 – 1,350	20243	62863	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in South Dakota South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Rapid City, SD Located in Rapid City, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology accepted 85% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires $20 for undergraduate applications and $35 for graduate applications. About 77% of students attending South Dakota School of Mines and Technology currently receive......Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 3.7 % Acceptance Rate 85.3% SAT Score 1,180 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $20,243 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $62,863
5	University of South Dakota	4.3	98.78	1,020 – 1,220	18466	46290	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in South Dakota University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD Based in Vermillion, the University of South Dakota accepts 99% of applicants. Undergraduates have to send in $20 to apply. About 70% of students at the University of South Dakota currently receive grant aid from the school. 79% of students continued studying at the University of South Dakota after completing their first year....Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 4.3 % Acceptance Rate 98.8% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $18,466 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,290
6	Mount Marty University	5.2	42.57	970 – 1,210	23163	46984	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in South Dakota Mount Marty University Yankton, SD Mount Marty University is highly selective and has a 12 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. A NAIA Division II school, most of the 487 athletes compete in the Great Plains Athletic Conference. They're known as the Lancers and wear navy blue and gold. Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 5.2 % Acceptance Rate 42.6% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $23,163 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,984
7	Northern State University	6.2	93.17	970 – 1,180	16873	41536	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in South Dakota Northern State University Aberdeen, SD Located in Aberdeen, Northern State University’s acceptance rate is 93% and requests $20 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 83% of students at Northern State University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The first year retention rate is 77%....Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 6.2 % Acceptance Rate 93.2% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $16,873 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,536
8	Dakota State University	6.3	88.14	1,070 – 1,320	19115	46146	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in South Dakota Dakota State University Madison, SD Based in Madison, Dakota State University accepts 88% of applicants. Undergraduates have to pay $20 to apply. About 79% of students at Dakota State University currently receive institutional grant aid. At Dakota State University, there is a 75% first year retention rate and around 28% of undergraduates will earn a degree......Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 6.3 % Acceptance Rate 88.1% SAT Score 1,070 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $19,115 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,146
9	Black Hills State University	6.4	95.31	970 – 1,180	16474	38927	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in South Dakota Black Hills State University Spearfish, SD Based in Spearfish, Black Hills State University’s acceptance rate is 95%. They request $20 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 58% of students at Black Hills State University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 6.4 % Acceptance Rate 95.3% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $16,474 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,927
10	Dakota Wesleyan University	7.8	72.77	970 – 1,250	21901	49432	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in South Dakota Dakota Wesleyan University Mitchell, SD Dakota Wesleyan University dates back to 1885 and its campus today is on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s fairly selective, and 840 out of 1,150 applicants received acceptance letters last year. DWU is a NAIA Division I school in the Great Plains Athletic Conference. Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 7.8 % Acceptance Rate 72.8% SAT Score 970 – 1,250 Avg. Net Price $21,901 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,432
11	National American University-Rapid City	14.9	48.14	--	22086	29641	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Student Loan Default Rate in South Dakota National American University-Rapid City Rapid City, SD Found in Rapid City, National American University-Rapid City accepted 48% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 0% of students attending National American University-Rapid City will receive institutional grant aid. At National American......Read more Student Loan Default Rate (2 Year) 14.9 % Acceptance Rate 48.1% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $22,086 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $29,641