Top Ranked South Dakota Colleges

The Best Colleges in South Dakota Ranked for 2019

These are the best four year colleges in South Dakota as ranked by CollegeSimply. This South Dakota ranking is a subset of our national ranking of the best colleges in America. Our ranking methodology is purely statistical and not subjective in nature. Measuring factors include but are not limited to: student body intellect as indicated by admission scores, graduation rate and admission selectivity. In order to be considered for the ranking, a school must offer four year undergraduate degrees, selectively admit students and be a non-profit institution. Leading the 2019 ranking as the best college in South Dakota is Augustana College.

List of The Best Colleges & Universities in South Dakota

Rank	College	National Academic Rank1	National Selectivity Rank2	National Graduation Rank3
1	Augustana College	312	766	428
2	South Dakota School of Mines and Technology	186	1,240	952
3	South Dakota State University	388	1,406	562
4	University of Sioux Falls	285	1,437	590
5	University of South Dakota	491	1,335	988
6	Dakota State University	441	1,274	1,349
7	Dakota Wesleyan University	738	1,032	1,114
8	Mount Marty College	1,693	736	838
9	Black Hills State University	534	1,334	1,477
10	Northern State University	864	1,352	1,151
11	Presentation College	1,064	1,510	1,296

Ranking Methodology

Overall Rank is calculated based on the following school characteristics.

¹National Academic Rank is calculated using standardized test admission data as well as GPA data for admitted freshman.
²National Selectivity Rank is based on admission selectivity for incoming students starting the 2016-2017 academic year.
³National Graduation Rank is based on the percentage of students graduating with bachelor's degrees within six years.