2025 Best Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota
It's not easy to decide which school to attend when you have so many options available. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our Best Bachelor's Degree Colleges in South Dakota ranking is part of that endeavor.
What's on This Page: * Our Methodology
Finding Your Best School Match
Our analysis looked at 10 schools in South Dakota to determine which ones have the best bachelor's degree programs. Our ranking methodology focuses on different objective factors to make this determination of the best schools. In the next few paragraphs, we'll talk a little about what we use in our analysis and why.
Average Earnings
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of bachelor's graduates during the early years of their career. After all, your degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.
Taking Out Student Loans
Another factor that we look at to determine a school's ranking is the average debt load that students take on while they are working on their bachelor's degree.
We consider this number in conjunction with average post-graduation earnings to gauge the difficulty bachelor's recipients will have paying back their loans.
More Ranking Factors That Are Important
We also analyze a number of other factors in addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt when coming up with our yearly Best Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking.
On a broad level, other factors that go into our rankings include such things as the demand of the school, the student body caliber, if the school has online options, and the educational resources provided by the school.
To learn more, visit our best colleges ranking methodology page.
More Rankings to View
You may also want to
narrow this list by location to find the best bachelor's degree schools nearest you. Also, check out our other
college rankings to help you with your college decision.
Top Bachelor's Degree Schools in South Dakota
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
2,023
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$46,960
Average Early-Career Earnings
$12,675
Average Student Debt
South Dakota State University tops this year’s ranking as the best school for bachelor’s degrees in South Dakota for overall quality. Located in Brookings, South Dakota, the fairly large public school handed out 2,023 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State go into careers with an average salary of $46,960 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $12,675 after getting their degree.
Learn More About South Dakota State University
353
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$48,035
Average Early-Career Earnings
$15,164
Average Student Debt
Out of the 10 bachelor’s degree schools in South Dakota that were part of this year’s ranking, Dakota State University landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Madison, South Dakota, the small public school handed out 353 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Dakota State go into careers with an average salary of $48,035 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $15,164 in student loans.
Full Dakota State University Report
1,293
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$42,106
Average Early-Career Earnings
$15,152
Average Student Debt
A rank of #3 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree in South Dakota list means University of South Dakota is a great place for students working on their degree. Vermillion, South Dakota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,293 students in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from USD is $42,106 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $15,152 after getting their degree.
Learn More About University of South Dakota
153
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$49,630
Average Early-Career Earnings
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend National American University - Rapid City. It ranked #4 on our 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in South Dakota list. National American University - Rapid City is located in Rapid City, South Dakota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 153 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from National American University - Rapid City make an average of $49,630 a year.
Full National American University - Rapid City Report
118
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$50,523
Average Early-Career Earnings
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Mount Marty University. It ranked #5 on our 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in South Dakota list. Mount Marty is a private not-for-profit institution located in Yankton, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 118 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Mount Marty make an average of $50,523 per year during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Mount Marty University
569
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$48,172
Average Early-Career Earnings
Augustana University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in South Dakota list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and it awarded 569 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Augustana Sioux Falls go into careers with an average salary of $48,172 during the early years of their career.
Full Augustana University Report
290
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$45,791
Average Early-Career Earnings
Northern State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in South Dakota list. This small public school is located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, and it awarded 290 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from NSU go into careers with an average salary of $45,791 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Northern State University
395
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$40,451
Average Early-Career Earnings
Black Hills State University did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in South Dakota ranking, coming in at #8. Spearfish, South Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 395 students in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from BHSU go into careers with an average salary of $40,451 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Black Hills State University
157
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$67,981
Average Early-Career Earnings
Dakota Wesleyan University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in South Dakota ranking. Mitchell, South Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 157 students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Dakota Wesleyan University make an average of $67,981 a year.
Learn More About Dakota Wesleyan University
434
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$43,334
Average Early-Career Earnings
$18,680
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #10, University of Sioux Falls did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in South Dakota list. Located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 434 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from University of Sioux Falls make an average of $43,334 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $18,680 in student loans.
Read full report on University of Sioux Falls
