South Dakota has a mix of midsize institutions and small private colleges, with the majority in Rapid City and Sioux Falls, the state’s largest city. South Dakota has no four-year universities with more than 12,000 undergraduate students; many of them are government-financed.
Best Colleges In South Dakota 2021, South Dakota’s mining industry is a key contributor to the state’s economy. Students can study engineering and applied sciences at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, the state’s only specialized college of its sort. In addition, residents of South Dakota can attend select public colleges in 15 states, including North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and Minnesota, through the Western Undergraduate Exchange and the South Dakota-Minnesota Tuition Reciprocity Program and pay a reduced tuition rate.
The Best Colleges In South Dakota 2021
10.Oglala Lakota College
Oglala Lakota College is a public, tribal land-grant community college in Kyle, South Dakota. It is a small college with 706 undergraduate students enrolled. The Oglala Lakota has a 100% acceptance rate.
9. Black Hills State University
Black Hills State University is a public university in Spearfish, South Dakota. Admission to Black Hills State is competitive, with an acceptance rate of 83%. Half of BHSU’s admitted students had an SAT score of 943 to 1158 or an ACT score of 18 to 24.
8. Mount Marty University
Mount Marty University is a private Benedictine university in Yankton, South Dakota. Mount Marty’s admissions process is competitive, with a 78% acceptance rate. Half of MMU’s admitted students had an ACT score of 17 to 22.
7. University of Sioux Falls
The University of Sioux Falls is a private Christian university in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Mount Marty’s admissions process is competitive, with a 78% acceptance rate. Half of MMU’s admitted students had an ACT score of 17 to 22.
6. Dakota State University
Dakota State University is a public university in Madison, South Dakota. Dakota State’s admissions process is highly selective, with only 83% of applicants being accepted. Half of DSU’s admitted students have an SAT score of 1010 to 1190 or an ACT score of 19 to 26.
5. Northern State University
Northern State University is a public university in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Northern State’s admissions process is competitive, with a 79% acceptance rate. An SAT score of 990 to 1140 or an ACT score of 19 to 25 is required for admission to NSU.
4. Dakota Wesleyan University
Dakota Wesleyan University is a private university in Mitchell, South Dakota. Dakota Wesleyan’s admissions process is competitive, with a 64% acceptance rate. Half of DWU’s admitted students have an SAT score of 950 to 1110 or an ACT score of 18 to 23.
3. Augustana University
Augustana University is a private Lutheran University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Augustana’s admissions process is more stringent, with a 71 percent acceptance rate. An SAT score of 1055 to 1390 or an ACT score of 22 to 28 is required for admission to AU.
2. South Dakota State University
South Dakota State University is a public land-grant research university in Brookings, South Dakota. With an admittance rate of 89 percent, South Dakota State University is a very selective institution. Half of SDSU’s admitted students have an SAT score of 1000 to 1300 or an ACT score of 20 to 26.
1. University of South Dakota
The University of South Dakota is a public research university in Vermillion, South Dakota. South Dakota admissions are selective, with an acceptance rate of 91%. Half the applicants admitted to the University of USD have an SAT score between 1000 and 1245 or an ACT score of 20 and 25.
Read more about the Best Colleges In South Dakota 2021 On University Magazine Ranking.