by our College Data Analytics TeamWhen pursuing a degree in today's world, there are many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we're committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in South Dakota ranking. This list may shock you as many typically expensive schools are very generous with need-based financial aid.
See What's Included in This Value Report:
After analyzing 13 schools in South Dakota, we came up with our list of those that offered the best value programs. Instead of depending on subjective information to rank the best value schools, we focus on objective factors in our analysis. More specifically, the following explains what we consider and why.
When determining the value of a school in our Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in South Dakota ranking, we first look at its average net price of a student coming from a family that makes $0-$30k a year. The net price is defined as the sum of room and board, tuition, and fees minus any financial aid that the student receives. But, a school that excels in providing value for your money must also be a great school overall as well.
To take this into account we include a school's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a host of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
To learn more, visit our best value ranking methodology page.
Keep scrolling for the top schools in this ranking or select one of the other rankings methods below.
If you know what major you want to study, check out our list of the best value schools by major. If you're interested in other degree levels, you can view one of the lists below.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2024 rankings named Lake Area Technical Institute the best value (income $0-$30k) school in South Dakota. LATI is a small public school situated in Watertown, South Dakota.
Lake Area Technical Institute has the honor of being ranked #2 in South Dakota for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $10,854.
Out of the 13 schools in South Dakota that were part of this year’s ranking, Mitchell Technical College landed the #2 spot on the list. Mitchell, South Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. It is a public school.
Mitchell Technical College has the honor of being ranked #7 in South Dakota for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $9,397.
Out of the 13 schools in South Dakota that were part of this year’s ranking, South Dakota State University landed the #3 spot on the list. South Dakota State is a fairly large public school situated in Brookings, South Dakota.
Not only is South Dakota State University a great value, but it is also ranked #1 in South Dakota for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $13,901.
A rank of #4 on our Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in South Dakota list means Dakota State University is a great place for students working on their degree. Dakota State University is a small public school located in Madison, South Dakota.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Dakota State University is ranked #6 for quality in the state of South Dakota. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $14,239.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of South Dakota. It ranked #5 on our 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in South Dakota list. USD is a public institution located in Vermillion, South Dakota.
University of South Dakota has the honor of being ranked #5 in South Dakota for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $14,873.
Northern State University landed the #6 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in South Dakota ranking. NSU is located in Aberdeen, South Dakota and has a small student population. It is a public school.
Not only is Northern State University a great value, but it is also ranked #9 in South Dakota for overall quality. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $12,686.
With a ranking of #7, Southeast Technical College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in South Dakota list. Sioux Falls, South Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. It is a public school.
Southeast Technical College has the honor of being ranked #8 in South Dakota for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $0-$30k per year is $14,544.
Black Hills State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in South Dakota ranking, coming in at #8. BHSU is located in Spearfish, South Dakota and has a small student population. It is a public school.
Not only is Black Hills State University a great value, but it is also ranked #12 in South Dakota for overall quality. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $12,147.
Mount Marty University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in South Dakota list. Mount Marty is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Yankton, South Dakota.
Not only is Mount Marty University a great value, but it is also ranked #3 in South Dakota for overall quality. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $18,823.
National American University - Rapid City did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in South Dakota ranking, coming in at #10. National American University - Rapid City is a small private for-profit school situated in Rapid City, South Dakota.
National American University - Rapid City has the honor of being ranked #10 in South Dakota for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $15,938.
Read full value report on National American University - Rapid City
Western Dakota Technical Institute ranked #11 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in South Dakota list. Western Dakota Tech is a public institution located in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Western Dakota Technical Institute has the honor of being ranked #13 in South Dakota for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $11,988.
With a ranking of #12, University of Sioux Falls did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in South Dakota list. Sioux Falls, South Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. It is a private not-for-profit school.
Not only is University of Sioux Falls a great value, but it is also ranked #11 in South Dakota for overall quality. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $17,861.
With a ranking of #13, Augustana University did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (Income $0-$30k) in South Dakota list. Located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the school is a small private not-for-profit institution.
In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Augustana University is ranked #4 for quality in the state of South Dakota. Students from families who make $0-$30k a year pay an annual average net price of $23,515.
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Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 13 schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.