The Most Affordable Colleges in South Dakota That Actually Graduate Their Students
University of South Dakota offers the strongest combination of affordability and graduation rate among public colleges in South Dakota, graduating 62% of students within six years at $7,118 in-state tuition. This ranking covers South Dakota’s public four-year colleges, ranked by six-year graduation rate per thousand dollars of in-state tuition, using federal IPEDS data.
| Rank | College | City | 6-Year Grad Rate | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Median ACT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of South Dakota | Vermillion | 62% | $7,118 | $12,768 | 22 |
| 2 | Northern State University | Aberdeen | 55% | $6,736 | $11,936 | 21 |
| 3 | Dakota State University | Madison | 50% | $6,731 | $11,931 | 23 |
| 4 | South Dakota State University | Brookings | 60% | $9,384 | $16,917 | 22 |
| 5 | South Dakota School of Mines and Technology | Rapid City | 58% | $10,640 | $18,840 | 26 |
| 6 | Black Hills State University | Spearfish | 41% | $8,916 | $15,849 | 21 |
1. University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota
University of South Dakota graduates 62% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $7,118 per year. Out-of-state students pay $12,768. Median ACT: 22.
2. Northern State University
Aberdeen, South Dakota
Northern State University graduates 55% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $6,736 per year. Out-of-state students pay $11,936. Median ACT: 21.
3. Dakota State University
Madison, South Dakota
Dakota State University graduates 50% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $6,731 per year. Out-of-state students pay $11,931. Median ACT: 23.
4. South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota
South Dakota State University graduates 60% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $9,384 per year. Out-of-state students pay $16,917. Median ACT: 22.
5. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Rapid City, South Dakota
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates 58% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $10,640 per year. Out-of-state students pay $18,840. Median ACT: 26.
6. Black Hills State University
Spearfish, South Dakota
Black Hills State University graduates 41% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $8,916 per year. Out-of-state students pay $15,849. Median ACT: 21.
How were these colleges ranked?
These rankings score each public four-year college in South Dakota by dividing its six-year graduation rate by its in-state tuition per thousand dollars. A school graduating 60% of students at $10,000 in-state tuition scores 6.0; one graduating 60% at $20,000 scores 3.0. Higher score means more degree completions per dollar spent.
Data comes from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the federal government’s official higher education database. Graduation rates reflect the most recent six-year cohort. Only public four-year bachelor’s-granting institutions with at least 100 students in the graduation cohort are included. The ranking covers 9 qualifying public institutions in South Dakota.
Source: IPEDS — National Center for Education Statistics
Data from IPEDS 2022 reporting year. Published September 2026.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only. Information and conditions are subject to change. Verify current details directly with the relevant source before making any decisions.
