Ranking
Most Selective Colleges in South Dakota by Acceptance Rate 2026
Mount Marty University leads this list with a reported acceptance rate of 42.6%. This page ranks only schools with standard reported admissions data.
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).
Source transparency: every figure comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard public data set. See our full methodology for the ROI formula, value grade rules and missing-data handling.
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.
Can I use this ranking as a final college decision?
Use it as a shortlist, not a final decision. The ranking compares school-wide federal data; you should still confirm program fit, aid letters, graduation path, transfer policies and current costs with each college.