Best Colleges in South Dakota by ROI
Trying to find the best value in South Dakota? We ranked all 11 colleges we track here on what graduates actually earn versus what families actually pay, using U.S. Department of Education data. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology comes out on top at 81/100 - here's how every school compares.
We scored all 11 South Dakota colleges in our dataset from 0 to 100 on one thing: financial return. The state averages 46/100, on an average net price of $20,997 a year after grants and scholarships. The school that does best by your money is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology at 81/100.
Graduates of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology earn the most ten years out of any school in the state, a median $72,257. The lightest price tag belongs to Northern State University at $15,812 a year. The list below ranks every South Dakota college we scored by ROI, so you can weigh what you'd pay against what you'd likely earn.
Top 10 South Dakota Colleges by ROI Score
- 1South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologyRapid City, SD · PublicNet price$20,183/yrMedian earnings$72,25781ROI
- 2Augustana UniversitySioux Falls, SD · Private NonprofitNet price$23,894/yrMedian earnings$59,21763ROI
- 3South Dakota State UniversityBrookings, SD · PublicNet price$19,841/yrMedian earnings$55,07061ROI
- 4University of Sioux FallsSioux Falls, SD · Private NonprofitNet price$21,383/yrMedian earnings$54,52155ROI
- 5University of South DakotaVermillion, SD · PublicNet price$19,858/yrMedian earnings$51,92650ROI
- 6Dakota Wesleyan UniversityMitchell, SD · Private NonprofitNet price$19,735/yrMedian earnings$53,72845ROI
- 7Dakota State UniversityMadison, SD · PublicNet price$21,057/yrMedian earnings$50,97043ROI
- 8Northern State UniversityAberdeen, SD · PublicNet price$15,812/yrMedian earnings$47,61841ROI
- 9Mount Marty UniversityYankton, SD · Private NonprofitNet price$22,227/yrMedian earnings$48,17934ROI
- 10Black Hills State UniversitySpearfish, SD · PublicNet price$15,911/yrMedian earnings$46,67431ROI
South Dakota College ROI: Common Questions
What is the best-value college in South Dakota?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has the highest ROI score in South Dakota at 81/100, while the lowest net price among South Dakota schools we track is $15,812/year at Northern State University. Rankings are based on net price and median graduate earnings from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
How much does college cost in South Dakota?
The average net price across the 11 South Dakota colleges in our dataset is $20,997 per year, after grants and scholarships are applied. Actual cost varies widely by family income and institution.
Which South Dakota college has the highest graduate earnings?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology reports the highest median earnings among South Dakota schools we scored, at $72,257 ten years after enrollment. Higher earnings do not always mean better ROI, since cost matters just as much.
How many colleges in South Dakota did CampusROI analyze?
We scored 11 colleges in South Dakota on return on investment. Of those, 3 earn an ROI score of 60 or higher. See our methodology for how each score is calculated.
All South Dakota Schools by ROI Score
11 schools
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Rapid City, SD
Augustana University
Sioux Falls, SD
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD
University of Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls, SD
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD
Dakota Wesleyan University
Mitchell, SD
Dakota State University
Madison, SD
Northern State University
Aberdeen, SD
Mount Marty University
Yankton, SD
Black Hills State University
Spearfish, SD
National American University-Rapid City
Rapid City, SD
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release