Academic Index Last updated: June 12, 2026

13 Best Universities in South Dakota

Exploring the academic landscape of South Dakota, our index provides a definitive ranking of the top 13 higher education institutions. We analyzed 46.1K scientific publications and 1.1M citations to accurately measure the research output of these institutions. The ranking also highlights the real-world influence of these universities, represented by 35.5K notable alumni globally.

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1

Brookings

South Dakota State University

#223 in United States #251 in North America

98% Acceptance

2,054 Enrollment

1150 Avg SAT

1881 Founded

2

Vermillion

University of South Dakota

#271 in United States #302 in North America

99% Acceptance

7,619 Enrollment

1220 Avg SAT

1862 Founded

3

Rapid

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

#516 in United States #567 in North America

80% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1885 Founded

4

Madison, SD

Dakota State University

#570 in United States #625 in North America

88% Acceptance

6,332 Enrollment

1315 Avg SAT

1881 Founded

5

Spearfish

Black Hills State University

#971 in United States #1043 in North America

96% Acceptance

32,701 Enrollment

1050 Avg SAT

1883 Founded

6

Aberdeen, SD

Northern State University

#972 in United States #1044 in North America

93% Acceptance

6,332 Enrollment

1070 Avg SAT

1901 Founded

7

Sioux Falls

University of Sioux Falls

#1120 in United States #1195 in North America

83% Acceptance

1,534 Enrollment

1220 Avg SAT

1883 Founded

8

Kyle

Oglala Lakota College

#1605 in United States #1692 in North America

100% Acceptance

25,916 Enrollment

1005 Avg SAT

9

Mitchell

Dakota Wesleyan University

#1624 in United States #1711 in North America

73% Acceptance

771 Enrollment

1885 Founded

$22,990 Net Price

10

Yankton

Mount Marty College

#1728 in United States #1817 in North America

43% Acceptance

1,022 Enrollment

22 Avg ACT

1936 Founded

11

Mission, SD

Sinte Gleska University

#1908 in United States #2000 in North America

100% Acceptance

515 Enrollment

$12,234 Net Price

12

Rapid

National American University – Rapid City

#2009 in United States #2102 in North America

100% Acceptance

767 Enrollment

1941 Founded

$31,062 Net Price

13

Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls Seminary

#2056 in United States #2150 in North America

85% Acceptance

82 Enrollment