Ranking
Most Selective Colleges in South Dakota by Acceptance Rate 2026
The hardest South Dakota colleges to get into — ranked by lowest undergraduate acceptance.
- Schools ranked
- 10
- Cheapest net price
- $15,812
- Top earnings 10y
- $72,257
- Public / Private
- 6 / 4
Mount Marty University
C- Acceptance
- 42.6%
- Net price
- $22,227
- Earnings 10y
- $48,179
- Acceptance
- 42.6%
Augustana University
C- Acceptance
- 67.8%
- Net price
- $23,894
- Earnings 10y
- $59,217
- Acceptance
- 67.8%
Dakota Wesleyan University
C- Acceptance
- 73.4%
- Net price
- $19,735
- Earnings 10y
- $53,728
- Acceptance
- 73.4%
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
B- Acceptance
- 79.9%
- Net price
- $20,183
- Earnings 10y
- $72,257
- Acceptance
- 79.9%
University of Sioux Falls
C- Acceptance
- 82.9%
- Net price
- $21,383
- Earnings 10y
- $54,521
- Acceptance
- 82.9%
Dakota State University
C- Acceptance
- 88.1%
- Net price
- $21,057
- Earnings 10y
- $50,970
- Acceptance
- 88.1%
Northern State University
B- Acceptance
- 93%
- Net price
- $15,812
- Earnings 10y
- $47,618
- Acceptance
- 93%
Black Hills State University
C- Acceptance
- 96.3%
- Net price
- $15,911
- Earnings 10y
- $46,674
- Acceptance
- 96.3%
South Dakota State University
C- Acceptance
- 98.3%
- Net price
- $19,841
- Earnings 10y
- $55,070
- Acceptance
- 98.3%
University of South Dakota
C- Acceptance
- 98.8%
- Net price
- $19,858
- Earnings 10y
- $51,926
- Acceptance
- 98.8%
How we picked this list
This list starts with South Dakota colleges that report a standard admission rate, then sorts by acceptance rate. The set's average EduGradify ROI score is 6.81 (6 public, 4 private).
Every figure comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. See our full methodology for the formulas.
FAQ
Who leads this ranking?
Mount Marty University in Yankton, SD tops this ranking. Acceptance rate is 42.6%.
How does EduGradify pick this list?
We rank this set by acceptance using the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — see our methodology for the full formula. No paid placements, no surveys.
How many South Dakota colleges are in this list?
10 South Dakota colleges qualified for this ranking based on available federal data.
What does net price mean here?
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — not the sticker price. It is reported by each college to the U.S. Department of Education.