Finding the right university to attend can be an intimidating process. In this day and age, there are countless universities in US offering various degree options which makes the decision even more difficult. It is important that you select a school that best suits your interests and goals.
To help make it easier for prospective students, we’ve created a list of the top 5 universities in South Dakota that offer some of the highest quality education available! Explore each school’s strengths, examine their highly ranked academics, learn about their thought-provoking research projects and discover why these schools are considered among America’s finest.
The Top 5 Universities in South Dakota
South Dakota State University
- Address: 1451 Stadium Rd, Brookings, SD 57007, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.3 (132)
- Phone: +1 800-952-3541
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMTuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMWednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMThursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMFriday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMSaturday: ClosedSunday: Closed
- Reviews:
The indoor football facility is amazing but never any toilet paper in the men’s restroom.By Warren S (3 years ago)Terrific land grant university! They care as much about the community as they do about their students, faculty and staff.By Jenn Anderson (2 years ago)Extremely odd layout for lots compared to all other land-grant universities I’ve had the opportunity to visit. Parking lots are all across main public roads, which is inconvenient.
Professors are decent, with a major inconvenience of not being allowed to write their own material for classes (especially the mathematics departments, they are all forced to use the same program and note guides for everything). This is paired with the university not wanting to have multiple exams, so they lump mathematics exams all together for a subject into the wee hours of the morning, before all other classes. Obviously this has a negative result on performance for all the classes, but they saved money not changing the numbers 5 times!
Also, be warned that the advisors are not there to help you, but seemingly to lock you into paying for classes regardless of whether you want them or not. There are holds for the next semester that are automatically placed on your account after the withdraw with refund date for a semester has passed, so that if you want to drop a class later on, you need to get the hold removed (even though it’s for a later semester).
I have yet to hear of an advisor that will do this without trying to insist that you meet with them during office hours, even if you clearly state that you know what you’re doing and you just need the hold removed.
Just for comparison, the community college I earned my AA degree at had advisors that were available to assist you, but they did not place advising holds on your account, and you could add/drop classes on your own. The professors also got to write their own note guides and exams, which was highly beneficial to learning, largely because that meant you got to take exams during normal class times, and not 6:30 in the morning.
The Brookings area also has a disappointing lack of attractions to keep you busy, the city owns the only liquor store, and the cost of living here is fairly high.
All in all, if what you’re majoring in is only available here, then suffer through it, be aware of these traps that exist, and get out the other side. If it’s available somewhere else, take your money and your sanity there instead.
By Eli Ronkainen (Bob Dylan) (a year ago)Attending this University is by far one of the best decisions I have ever made. It combines a wonderful Division one education with world class facilitates all with a small town feel that is welcoming and inviting. From the teachers, to the students, the majority of people are about as nice and genuine as they come. Also, it is one of the most affordable colleges in the nation. You can’t beat that. Go Big Blue!By Lane Speirs (5 years ago)It was far far better than my expectations. I completed my Masters in SDSU. I would definitely go there again if I will plan for another degree or so. Very good State University with very nice academic environment.By Rajan Acharya (4 years ago)
Augustana University
- Address: 2001 S Summit Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57197, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.4 (81)
- Phone: +1 605-274-0770
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMTuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMWednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMThursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMFriday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMSaturday: ClosedSunday: Closed
- Reviews:
Had a blast at the 2022 Viking Days Parade! Wonderful crowd and very well run. Lots of high energy!By Sharon Schulz-Elsing (2 months ago)My alma mater. Augustana is experiencing a rapid growth spurt. A few construction and landscaping personnel are finishing up, most equipment and workers have likely moved on to their next job, though there are still a few things being buttoned up.
This is all a part of Augie’s grand plan to get to division 1. It has added updates to atvleast 1 dorm and it has just built a new one. The new hockey rink is going up on 33rd Street and Grange Ave, across from the Elmen HiPo Center.
They moved the Heritage Park church, one room school house, writing cabin and more. For some unknown reason they eliminated centuries old trees unnecessarily ( there is no possible way they needed to–they just didn’t have to). They added a stupid pond next to 33rd St. on the main campus. Brand new sidewalks encircle the campus and there is a new parade ground for the band to practice on that the few landscapers left are rolling out turf on.
I think it was May 12th, 2022, when Sioux Falls had straight lines winds that devastated the trees in the town, and Augie was hit hard. All those downed limbs have been removed long ago and they have planted a whole bunch of baby trees all around.
There is a newly remodeled parking lot on the north side (next to 28th St).
Augie is actually starting to look like a division 1 school.By Doug Peters (2 months ago)Nice campus. Attended the Minnehaha master gardeners spring fling event. Great presentations by 4 speakers. Two hundred attended the event.By Paulette Keller (8 months ago)Good atmosphere. Quite a lot of building and growth happening in Sioux Falls!By jason cornell (6 months ago)I spent a semester there as an exchange student and it was awesome. The teachers were helping and understanding, the food in cafe tasty and the staff was ready to help you 24/7. Lots of fun and activities for students.By Ramshah Jahangir (5 years ago)
Black Hills State University
- Address: 1200 University St, Spearfish, SD 57799, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.2 (71)
- Phone: +1 605-642-6131
- Website: Link
- Reviews:
It’s clean and the students at the front desk are very helpful and friendly.By Merry Ingraldi (4 months ago)Beautiful campus, magnificent professors and staff whom are very willing to help you succeed in your studies, I couldn’t have found a better place to attend for higher educationBy Carlton Ferrell (3 months ago)We always drive through here when we are back in the hills. My boyfriend went here and is so amazed at all the great improvements they have made since he graduated! The stadium is gorgeous and the campus is very well kept. In addition to being cute, its a great institution. My boyfriend always speaks fondly of his time there and is still in contact with a few professors and he graduated about 10 years ago. Additionally, he ended going to Mayo for Physical Therapy school. So I would say Black Hills state did a great job prepping him for life and his careerBy Laura Meihofer (11 months ago)Very nice college. More for athletics than anything but really good programs.By Samantha Rider (a year ago)I’m truck driver I delivered some matters here they don’t have a dock but they unloaded very fast very good poeple and friendly specially Eric thanks for you are serviceBy Abdirizak Ali (4 months ago)
University of South Dakota
- Address: 414 E Clark St, Vermillion, SD 57069, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.3 (45)
- Phone: +1 877-269-6837
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMTuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMWednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMThursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMFriday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMSaturday: ClosedSunday: Closed
- Reviews:
wonderful experience.I love the peaceful life here. It also provides a cosy and friendly environment. Small enough for me to make friends easily with other students on campus. Personally, the quality of education is very good in term of class size, technology application, and professor helpfulness. I am proud of being a student here. Nothing more to ask about it!By khoa nguyen (8 years ago)Went for one year and never went back. The general required classes are similar at other places, but other places actually care about you. I went to another college before this one, and USD refused to allow me to transfer the credits because they were from out of state. The admissions were nice, but whoever decides what credits transfer couldn’t care less about you if you come from out of state. Their biology department needs major help, because they had to change teachers often and even hired one who couldn’t speak English. This is the worst school I ever attended and would not recommend.By Meulin Cat (6 years ago)Good university and a great business school. Nice little city with great Midwestern values and culture. I received my BS at USD and a MPH from Cal Berkeley routinely ranked as one of the top universities in the world. The teaching and education I got at the USD Bus School was as great as Cal.By James Kingsbury (6 years ago)Extremely racist school. I attended here for 3 years (2009-2012). It was a legacy of my family to attend and graduate from here and I regret it. Not only did I not graduate, I felt unwelcomed as a Native student. I even participated in Native student organizations and spent a lot of time at the cultural center because that was the only place I felt comfortable and accepted. South Dakota is just a racist state all around. I regret listening to my parents. I should have went to the school I was also accepted and had really wanted to go to. These white ppl can keep their precious athletics department! Even the frat parties were racist and sucked! The varying architecture of all the buildings on campus was nice though. USD= worst mistake of my life!By Arlene Smith (4 years ago)Planned to Attend this school. However, they weren’t helpful with housing at all. I requested not to be in a certain dorm and they put me in it anyways. They also didn’t have enough classes open for me to take the required classes I needed. I wouldn’t recommend this school. Major disappointment !By Sarah J (7 years ago)
University of Sioux Falls
- Address: 1101 W 22nd St, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.4 (14)
- Phone: +1 605-331-5000
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMTuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMWednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMThursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMFriday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMSaturday: ClosedSunday: Closed
- Reviews:
Great service, would eat here again. 10/10By Not_ jesuschrist (4 years ago)I was asked to participate in an interview for the University of Sioux Falls describing my experience in the MBA program. I was greeted by the USF team in a very professional manner. The team made me feel very welcome, so the experience was extremely relaxing and fun.
Just like I explained in my interview, my entire experience with USF, interaction with the MBA staff, as well as the other staff on campus are top notch. I do recommend USF to anyone interested in seeking further education whether they are traditional students or non-traditional students, it is a fantastic place to be. Thank you all for making my experience wonderful with indelible memories that have transferred over to my fire service profession. The fire service is also the best place to work and our most valuable part of the organization are our people. Treat them well and they will go to the ends of the earth for eachother when times get tough.
The USF MBA program creates leaders who can then inspire their followers.
Respectfully,
Mike Clauson
Sioux Falls Fire RescueBy Frogs Leap (7 years ago)Spending four years here was one of the best experiences ever! The professor student ratio is great, and they really do care about you!By Emily Leise (5 years ago)Great Christ-centered institute of higher learning.By Jon Fenderson (5 years ago)Great place for learningBy Jim Novak (5 years ago)
Thank you for reading! We hope this list helps you find the best universities in South Dakota. If you have any additional information, please leave a comment below!
Texas’s Best Kept Secrets: The Top 7 Beaches
The 10 Best Healthy Food Options in Augusta
7 Best Beaches in Mississippi (Ratings plus Reviews)
12 Fantastic Oyster Bars in Atlanta GA You Have to Try
The 7 Most Beautiful Beaches in New Hampshire
7 Best Beaches in Delaware (Ratings plus Reviews)
Maryland’s Best Kept Secrets: The Top 7 Beaches
7 Best Beaches in Rhode Island (Ratings plus Reviews)