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Best mid-size colleges in South Dakota

Colleges with 2,000 to 10,000 undergraduates, ranked by Compass Score.

Best mid-size colleges in South Dakota5 schools

5 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.

How this list is made

  • Schools in South Dakota.
  • Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
  • 2,000 to 10,000 undergraduate students (federal enrollment).
  • Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
  • Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.

Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.

  1. 1

    South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

    Rapid City, SD · Public

    #2 in South Dakota

    • 2,170 undergraduates
    • 53% graduate
  2. 2

    University of South Dakota

    Vermillion, SD · Public

    #4 in South Dakota

    • 7,095 undergraduates
    • 60% graduate
  3. 3

    Dakota State University

    Madison, SD · Public

    Good: Compass grade B

    • 2,950 undergraduates
    • 51% graduate
  4. 4

    Northern State University

    Aberdeen, SD · Public

    #8 in South Dakota

    • 2,932 undergraduates
    • 49% graduate
  5. 5

    Black Hills State University

    Spearfish, SD · Public

    Solid: Compass grade C+

    • 3,279 undergraduates
    • 43% graduate

Compare cost and outcomes

SchoolNet price a yearMedian debtEarnings 10 years outGraduation rate
South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologyAbout $20,000$27,000$72,25753%
University of South DakotaAbout $20,000$23,592$51,92660%
Dakota State UniversityAbout $21,000$23,500$50,97051%
Northern State UniversityAbout $16,000$22,320$47,61849%
Black Hills State UniversityAbout $16,000$26,000$46,67443%

Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.

This list in other states

The national list → · All top school lists →

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