2026 College Rankings

Best Colleges in South Dakota

About

The Top 50 Best Colleges in the US is College Raptor’s most prestigious rankings list. Updated annually, these schools are celebrated for their rich histories, stunning campuses, excellent academics, and vibrant student life. The institutions on this list are known for both academic excellence and impressive extracurricular opportunities, making them “dream schools” for students around the world. Use these rankings as a jumping-off point for you to create your own personalized rankings using our college match tool.

Methodology

Each of these rankings is based on an analysis of data about the school’s selectivity, financial health, graduation rates, student success, and more. We’ve outlined our full methodology here.

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Rank	Institution	Undergraduates	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Augustana University	2003	67.75	1,090 – 1,290	25280	49826	#1 2026 Best Colleges 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 Undergraduates 2,003 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
2	University of South Dakota	7619	98.78	1,020 – 1,220	18466	46290	#2 2026 Best Colleges 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 Undergraduates 7,619 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
3	Mount Marty University	1022	42.57	970 – 1,210	23163	46984	#3 2026 Best Colleges 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. Undergraduates 1,022 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
4	South Dakota State University	10728	98.34	1,020 – 1,220	18233	49564	#4 2026 Best Colleges 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. Undergraduates 10,728 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
5	University of Sioux Falls	1241	82.98	970 – 1,140	21049	46712	#5 2026 Best Colleges 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 Undergraduates 1,241 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
6	Dakota Wesleyan University	767	72.77	970 – 1,250	21901	49432	#6 2026 Best Colleges 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. Undergraduates 767 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
7	Northern State University	3169	93.17	970 – 1,180	16873	41536	#7 2026 Best Colleges 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 Undergraduates 3,169 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	South Dakota School of Mines and Technology	2170	85.25	1,180 – 1,350	20243	62863	#8 2026 Best Colleges 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 Undergraduates 2,170 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
9	Dakota State University	3066	88.14	1,070 – 1,320	19115	46146	#9 2026 Best Colleges 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 Undergraduates 3,066 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
10	Black Hills State University	3279	95.31	970 – 1,180	16474	38927	#10 2026 Best Colleges 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 Undergraduates 3,279 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
11	Oglala Lakota College	1180	92.79	--	3563	20536	#11 2026 Best Colleges in South Dakota Oglala Lakota College Kyle, SD Found in Kyle, Oglala Lakota College accepted 93% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request unknown for undergraduate applications and $15 for graduate applications. About 79% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Undergraduates 1,180 Acceptance Rate 92.8% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $3,563 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $20,536
12	National American University-Rapid City	836	48.14	--	22086	29641	#12 2026 Best Colleges 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 Undergraduates 836 Acceptance Rate 48.1% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $22,086 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $29,641
13	Sinte Gleska University	607	98.71	--	7439	15889	#13 2026 Best Colleges in South Dakota Sinte Gleska University Mission, SD Undergraduates 607 Acceptance Rate 98.7% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $7,439 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $15,889