2026 Best Graduate Degrees Schools in South Dakota
Looking for the best Graduate Degrees degree programs in South Dakota? This list ranks 27 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Grad Degree reviewed 18 schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in South Dakota
Explore the leading schools below:
Mount Marty College tops our 2026 ranking of the best Graduate Degrees degree schools in South Dakota. Set in Yankton, SD, Mount Marty College is a private not-for-profit institution. Mount Marty College posts a six-year graduation rate of 52%. Students from in state pay about $34,600 in tuition and fees. Mount Marty College Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read more about Mount Marty College
You'll be in good company at Augustana College South Dakota, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Sioux Falls, SD, Augustana College South Dakota is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,160. Graduates carry a median of $26,217 in student loans. Read the full report on Augustana College South Dakota
Out of the 18 schools in South Dakota in this year's ranking, South Dakota State University landed the #3 spot. Located in Brookings, SD, South Dakota State University is a public institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $24,989. Read more about South Dakota State University
Northern State University came in at #4 on this year's Graduate Degrees ranking in South Dakota. Set in Aberdeen, SD, Northern State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,947. Students borrow a median of $26,143 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. See the full Northern State University profile
The strong Graduate Degrees programs at Dakota State University earned it the #5 place in South Dakota. Dakota State University is a public school based in Madison, SD. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, while out-of-state students pay about $12,756. Dakota State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $28,724 in debt. More on Dakota State University
University Of South Dakota placed #6 among Graduate Degrees schools in South Dakota. Based in Vermillion, SD, University Of South Dakota is a public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,432, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. University Of South Dakota Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $26,322 in debt. Read the full report on University Of South Dakota
University Of Sioux Falls placed #7 among Graduate Degrees schools in South Dakota. University Of Sioux Falls is a private not-for-profit school based in Sioux Falls, SD. University Of Sioux Falls posts a six-year graduation rate of 62%. In-state tuition and fees average $21,750. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,103. More on University Of Sioux Falls
Dakota Wesleyan University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Based in Mitchell, SD, Dakota Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. Dakota Wesleyan University posts a six-year graduation rate of 48%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,790. Dakota Wesleyan University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $31,000 in debt. See the full Dakota Wesleyan University profile
National American University Rapid City placed #9 among Graduate Degrees schools in South Dakota. Set in Rapid City, SD, National American University Rapid City is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,065. Graduates carry a median of $38,264 in student loans. See the full National American University Rapid City profile
Black Hills State University did well this year, earning the #10 position. Set in Spearfish, SD, Black Hills State University is a public institution. Black Hills State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 43%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,916, with out-of-state students paying around $12,018. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,820. Read more about Black Hills State University
Black Hills Beauty College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Black Hills Beauty College report
Sioux Falls Seminary placed #12 among Graduate Degrees schools in South Dakota. Read more about Sioux Falls Seminary
Institute Of Lutheran Theology landed the #13 spot in South Dakota this year. Read more about Institute Of Lutheran Theology
Sisseton Wahpeton College landed the #14 spot in South Dakota this year. See the full Sisseton Wahpeton College profile
Headlines Academy Inc did well this year, earning the #15 position. Read the full report on Headlines Academy Inc
Avera Sacred Heart Hospital did well this year, earning the #16 position. Read the full report on Avera Sacred Heart Hospital
Western Dakota Technical Institute did well this year, earning the #17 position. See the full Western Dakota Technical Institute profile
Mitchell Technical Institute placed #18 among Graduate Degrees schools in South Dakota. Read the full report on Mitchell Technical Institute
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology landed the #19 spot in South Dakota this year. Read the full report on South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology
Stewart School
Stewart School ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. See the full Stewart School profile
Sinte Gleska University placed #21 among Graduate Degrees schools in South Dakota. See the full Sinte Gleska University profile
Southeast Technical Institute did well this year, earning the #22 position. Read more about Southeast Technical Institute
Sanford Medical Center placed #23 among Graduate Degrees schools in South Dakota. Read the full report on Sanford Medical Center
Lake Area Technical Institute landed the #24 spot in South Dakota this year. Read the full report on Lake Area Technical Institute
Hot Rod Institute placed #25 among Graduate Degrees schools in South Dakota. See the full Hot Rod Institute profile
Rest of the Top 15% Best Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in South Dakota
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
California Intercontinental University placed #26 among Graduate Degrees schools in South Dakota. Read more about California Intercontinental University
Oglala Lakota College placed #27 among Graduate Degrees schools in South Dakota. Get the full Oglala Lakota College report
More Graduate Degrees Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 18 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 27 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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