Here are the top colleges that you should consider in South Dakota. The school list below shows tuition after financial aid, acceptance rates, recent graduate salaries and more.
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South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Rapid City, SD. It has an enrollment of 1,976 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 80.48%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $19,592. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 11 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1266.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 27.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
Recent Graduate Salaries
(Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)
- Computer and Information Sciences, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $61,020
- Chemical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $69,338
- Civil Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $60,523
- Mechanical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $67,789
- Mining and Mineral Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $74,953
- Industrial Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $63,005
- Geological/Geophysical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $50,856
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology School Spirit
School spirit at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is very high and is an important part of the culture on campus. The university has a strong focus on STEM education and innovation, and students take great pride in their academic achievements and research accomplishments. The athletics programs, especially the men’s and women’s basketball teams, are also very popular among students, and there are many opportunities to get involved in clubs and organizations that promote school spirit and community engagement. Additionally, the university hosts a number of events throughout the year, such as homecoming, welcome week, and spirit week, which are designed to bring students together and celebrate their Miner pride.
Learn more about South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
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Augustana University
Augustana University is a four-year, full-time, selective, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Sioux Falls, SD. It has an enrollment of 1,658 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 71.82%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $27,055. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 11 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1215.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 25.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
Recent Graduate Salaries
(Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)
- Education, General. (Master’s Degree) – $48,883
- Special Education and Teaching. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,009
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,928
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $43,426
- American Sign Language. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,993
- English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,925
- Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,009
- Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,851
- Sociology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,569
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $57,724
- Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $44,666
- Business/Corporate Communications. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,060
- History. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,848
Augustana University School Spirit
Augustana University is known for having a strong school spirit. Students are proud to be part of the Augustana community and actively participate in various campus activities and events. The university has multiple traditions such as Viking Days, a week-long celebration in October that includes a parade, pep rallies, and athletic competitions. The school also has a vibrant athletics program, and students show their support by attending games and cheering on their teams. Overall, students at Augustana University are enthusiastic about being part of their school and embody a strong school spirit.
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Dakota State University
Dakota State University is a four-year, medium full-time, inclusive, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Madison, SD. It has an enrollment of 1,910 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 85.61%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $18,619. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1133.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 23.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
Recent Graduate Salaries
(Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)
- Computer and Information Sciences, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $55,964
- Information Science/Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $55,964
- Information Science/Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $76,460
- Computer Software and Media Applications. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,598
- Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $51,035
- Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. (Master’s Degree) – $84,653
- Special Education and Teaching. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,721
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,153
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,682
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $22,192
- Health and Medical Administrative Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,205
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $46,087
- Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,369
Dakota State University School Spirit
Dakota State University (DSU) boasts a very vibrant school spirit and a strong sense of community. Events such as Trojan Days, Homecoming, and the Madathon (a 24-hour festival of gaming, movies, and other activities) are just a few examples of the many events that celebrate school pride and bring people together. DSU also has a strong athletic program, with many students attending football, basketball, and other sporting events to support their teams. Additionally, students at DSU can join a variety of student organizations, clubs, and intramural sports teams, which can further enhance their school spirit and sense of belonging to the university community.
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University of South Dakota
University of South Dakota is a four-year, full-time, selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Vermillion, SD. It has an enrollment of 5,328 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 87.01%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $19,415. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1122.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 22.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
Recent Graduate Salaries
(Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)
- Communication and Media Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,423
- Computer and Information Sciences, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $62,012
- Educational Administration and Supervision. (Master’s Degree) – $62,260
- Educational Administration and Supervision. (Doctoral Degree) – $97,071
- Special Education and Teaching. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,369
- Special Education and Teaching. (Master’s Degree) – $43,798
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,739
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Master’s Degree) – $42,123
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,048
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,476
- Law. (First Professional Degree) – $52,941
- English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,494
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,439
- Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,967
- International/Global Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $24,035
- Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,650
- Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,616
- Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. (Master’s Degree) – $45,149
- Criminal Justice and Corrections. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,249
- Human Services, General. (Master’s Degree) – $57,318
- Public Administration. (Master’s Degree) – $70,456
- Social Work. (Master’s Degree) – $42,073
- Anthropology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $19,227
- Economics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,729
- Political Science and Government. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,060
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $24,730
- Fine and Studio Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,228
- Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,660
- Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. (Master’s Degree) – $51,607
- Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $54,252
- Health and Medical Administrative Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $44,021
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. (Master’s Degree) – $100,951
- Medicine. (First Professional Degree) – $57,860
- Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,854
- Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. (Master’s Degree) – $39,369
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. (Master’s Degree) – $62,632
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. (First Professional Degree) – $65,170
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Associate’s Degree) – $47,473
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $57,693
- Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,289
- Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Master’s Degree) – $68,778
- Accounting and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,641
- Accounting and Related Services. (Master’s Degree) – $62,012
- Finance and Financial Management Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $44,971
- Marketing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,565
- History. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,055
University of South Dakota School Spirit
The University of South Dakota has a passionate and lively school spirit. The university has a strong community and a rich tradition of supporting its athletic teams and attending various events held on campus. Students come together to cheer on the Coyotes at sporting events and participate in various student organizations that enhance campus life, such as the Student Government Association, Greek organizations, and more. USD also hosts a variety of events throughout the year that promote school spirit and community involvement, including homecoming week, Coyoteopoly, Coyote Day of Service, and more. Overall, the school spirit at the University of South Dakota is vibrant and inclusive, fostering a strong sense of pride among students, alumni, and the community.
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South Dakota State University
South Dakota State University is a four-year, full-time, selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Brookings, SD. It has an enrollment of 8,651 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 87.43%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $18,402. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1119.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 22.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
Recent Graduate Salaries
(Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)
- Agriculture, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,369
- Agricultural Business and Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $45,340
- Agricultural Mechanization. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $47,520
- Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,568
- Agricultural Public Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $45,529
- Animal Sciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,441
- Plant Sciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $55,151
- Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,423
- Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management. (Master’s Degree) – $52,107
- Communication and Media Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,960
- Journalism. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,119
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,213
- Computer and Information Sciences, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $74,845
- Student Counseling and Personnel Services. (Master’s Degree) – $40,089
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,925
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,485
- Civil Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $59,124
- Civil Engineering. (Master’s Degree) – $67,660
- Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $74,576
- Mechanical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $61,322
- Construction Engineering Technologies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $56,776
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,126
- Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,072
- Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,726
- Apparel and Textiles. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
- English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,409
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Associate’s Degree) – $26,353
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,009
- Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
- Mathematics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,193
- Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,755
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,856
- Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,033
- Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. (Master’s Degree) – $40,140
- Economics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,682
- Political Science and Government. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,409
- Sociology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,526
- Design and Applied Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,416
- Fine and Studio Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,236
- Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $56,234
- Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. (First Professional Degree) – $117,014
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $57,860
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (First Professional Degree) – $92,277
- Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $43,798
- Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,424
- Hospitality Administration/Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,704
- History. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,424
South Dakota State University School Spirit
South Dakota State University has a strong school spirit, with a variety of opportunities for students to engage in campus life and connect with the Jackrabbit community. The university has a Division I athletics program, with popular sports such as football, basketball, volleyball, and wrestling, which attract many students, alumni, and fans to games and events. Additionally, SDSU has a wide range of student organizations and clubs, including the Jackrabbit Spirit Squad, which is responsible for promoting school spirit at sporting events and other university activities. Many students also participate in the annual homecoming celebration, which includes a parade, football game, and an array of spirit events. Overall, South Dakota State University offers a vibrant and active campus culture that fosters a strong sense of school pride and community.
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Northern State University
Northern State University is a four-year, full-time, inclusive, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Aberdeen, SD. It has an enrollment of 1,344 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 79.82%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $16,810. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1086.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 21.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
Recent Graduate Salaries
(Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)
- Curriculum and Instruction. (Master’s Degree) – $43,575
- Student Counseling and Personnel Services. (Master’s Degree) – $44,021
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,523
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,289
- English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $20,824
- Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,289
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,060
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness. (Master’s Degree) – $34,526
- Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,439
- Sociology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,060
- Fine and Studio Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,598
- Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,728
- Accounting and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,682
- Finance and Financial Management Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,123
- Marketing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
Northern State University School Spirit
Northern State University, located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, has a strong school spirit. The university currently sponsors 15 NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletic teams that compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, and many students attend games and events to support their fellow Wolves. In addition to athletics, there are also over 100 student organizations on campus that allow students to get involved and show their school spirit. The annual Gypsy Day student-led parade and festival is also a highlight of the NSU community, bringing together students, alumni, and community members in celebration. Overall, Northern State University has a great sense of pride and camaraderie among its students, faculty, and staff.
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Black Hills State University
Black Hills State University is a four-year, medium full-time, inclusive, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Spearfish, SD. It has an enrollment of 2,042 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 97.25%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $16,448. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1065.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 21.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
Recent Graduate Salaries
(Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)
- Special Education and Teaching. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,725
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,768
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Master’s Degree) – $38,289
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,768
- Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,967
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,669
- Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,295
- Community Organization and Advocacy. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,138
- Sociology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,881
- Design and Applied Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,038
- Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,914
- History. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $22,824
Black Hills State University School Spirit
Black Hills State University offers a variety of food choices for students, including options for those with dietary restrictions. The on-campus dining locations include a cafeteria-style dining hall, a cafe, a convenience store, and a grill. The dining hall and cafe offer a range of options, including vegetarian and gluten-free meals, as well as snacks and drinks. Additionally, there are several dining options available off-campus in the nearby Spearfish community. Overall, the food choices at Black Hills State University are diverse and cater to the needs of their students.