2026 Rankings · SD

Best Colleges in South Dakota

23 ranked colleges in South Dakota out of 5,439 nationally

23
Schools in SD
17
Full Data Rankings
6
Partial Data Rankings
5,439
Ranked Nationally

Top Colleges in South Dakota

Showing 1-10 of 23 schools
#1 in SD #223 nationally
#1

Mitchell, SD

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
70.5 / 100
70.5
Completion
66.1%
76%
Retention
84%
73%
Productivity
522 completions
64%

Mitchell Technical College scores above average in the overall ranking at 71, ranking in the 89th percentile for student faculty ratio.

The college enrolls 1,186 students with in-state tuition of $4,092 (excl. fees).

66% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 76th percentile nationally for completion.

#2 in SD #366 nationally
#2

Watertown, SD

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
67.7 / 100
67.7
Completion
62.9%
72%
Retention
83%
70%
Productivity
847 completions
57%

Lake Area Technical College scores above average in the overall ranking at 68, ranking in the 81th percentile for student faculty ratio.

The college enrolls 2,312 students with in-state tuition of $3,720 (excl. fees).

63% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 72nd percentile nationally for completion.

#3 in SD #795 nationally
#3

Brookings, SD

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
60.7 / 100
60.7
Completion
47.4%
48%
Retention
83%
70%
Productivity
2679 completions
23%

South Dakota State University scores above average in the overall ranking at 61, ranking in the 97th percentile for program breadth.

The college enrolls 12,056 students with in-state tuition of $7,773 (excl. fees).

47% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 48th percentile nationally for completion.

#4 in SD #829 nationally
#4

Sioux Falls, SD

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
60.4 / 100
60.4
Completion
59.1%
67%
Retention
75%
51%
Productivity
487 completions
52%

University of Sioux Falls scores above average in the overall ranking at 60.

The college enrolls 1,450 students with in-state tuition of $20,340 (excl. fees).

59% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 67th percentile nationally for completion.

#5 in SD #863 nationally
#5

Sioux Falls, SD

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
60 / 100
60
Completion
65.8%
76%
Retention
84%
73%
Productivity
642 completions
37%

Augustana University scores above average in the overall ranking at 60, ranking in the 81th percentile for program breadth.

The college enrolls 2,390 students with in-state tuition of $38,150 (excl. fees).

66% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 76th percentile nationally for completion.

#6 in SD #937 nationally
#6

Sioux Falls, SD

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
58.9 / 100
58.9
Completion
62.4%
71%
Retention
71%
41%
Productivity
1006 completions
58%

Southeast Technical College has a overall ranking score of 59.

The college enrolls 2,659 students with in-state tuition of $3,720 (excl. fees).

62% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 71st percentile nationally for completion.

#7 in SD #1040 nationally
#7

Vermillion, SD

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
57.7 / 100
57.7
Completion
48.8%
51%
Retention
80%
63%
Productivity
2198 completions
19%

University of South Dakota has a overall ranking score of 58, ranking in the 91th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 10,619 students with in-state tuition of $7,773 (excl. fees).

49% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 51st percentile nationally for completion.

#8 in SD #1322 nationally
#8

Rapid City, SD

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
54.3 / 100
54.3
Completion
46.2%
46%
Retention
84%
73%
Productivity
502 completions
16%

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has a overall ranking score of 54, ranking in the 89th percentile for student faculty ratio.

The college enrolls 2,576 students with in-state tuition of $7,800 (excl. fees).

46% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 46th percentile nationally for completion.

#9 in SD #1540 nationally
#9

Mitchell, SD

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
51.3 / 100
51.3
Completion
50.3%
54%
Retention
69%
37%
Productivity
234 completions
35%

Dakota Wesleyan University has a overall ranking score of 51, ranking in the 82th percentile for student faculty ratio.

The college enrolls 892 students with in-state tuition of $31,700 (excl. fees).

50% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 54th percentile nationally for completion.

#10 in SD #1870 nationally
#10

Yankton, SD

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
47.1 / 100
47.1
Completion
54.1%
60%
Retention
70%
39%
Productivity
246 completions
16%

Mount Marty University has a overall ranking score of 47.

The college enrolls 1,284 students with in-state tuition of $30,250 (excl. fees).

54% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 60th percentile nationally for completion.

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