Colleges in South Dakota: ACT scores and what they really cost.
11 four-year colleges in South Dakota, 8 of which publish an admitted ACT range. The lowest average net price among SD schools is $15,812 a year at Northern State University, after grant and scholarship aid. Sorted cheapest first. All figures from the U.S. Department of Education.
Northern State University
Black Hills State University
Dakota Wesleyan University
South Dakota State University
University of South Dakota
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Dakota State University
University of Sioux Falls
Mount Marty University
Augustana University
National American University-Rapid City
Net price is total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, housing, books) minus grant and scholarship aid, for students receiving federal aid. Admitted ACT range is the 25th to 75th percentile of admitted students; schools that do not publish a range may still accept ACT scores. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Common questions
How many four-year colleges are in South Dakota?
South Dakota (SD) has 11 four-year colleges reporting an average net price to the U.S. Department of Education. 8 of them publish an admitted ACT score range; the rest are test-optional or do not report one, though they may still accept ACT scores.
What is the cheapest college in South Dakota?
By average net price after grant and scholarship aid, Northern State University in Aberdeen is the least expensive four-year college in South Dakota at $15,812 a year. Net price is the total cost of attendance minus aid that does not need to be repaid, for students receiving federal aid. What a specific family pays varies by household income.
Are public colleges cheaper than private colleges in South Dakota?
Usually, but not always. Among South Dakota's 6 public colleges the median net price is $19,858 a year, against $22,227 across 5 private colleges. Private schools often discount heavily through grant aid, so a private college can cost a specific family less than a public one despite a far higher sticker price.
Does household income change what college costs in South Dakota?
Substantially. Across South Dakota colleges the median net price is $15,348 a year for a family earning under $30,000 and $22,416 for one earning over $110,000, at the same schools. The average price a college publishes blends every income level together, so it may be far from what any particular family pays.