Cheapest Biology Colleges in South Dakota

Northern State University biology graduates earn $38,289 annually, the highest among South Dakota's nine biology programs, despite having the second-lowest net price at $17,094. This earnings advantage matters in a state where healthcare systems like Avera and Sanford Health actively recruit life science professionals. The $7,722 gap between the cheapest option at Black Hills State and most expensive at Augustana University shows how dramatically costs vary, even as graduation rates span from 39% to 76% across programs.

Programs

$17,001 – $24,723

Net Price Range

$29,602

Avg. Program Earnings

57.0%

Avg. Graduation Rate

9 Biology, General Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Black Hills State University Spearfish, South Dakota	$17,001	$9,000	38.6%	96.6%
2	Northern State University Aberdeen, South Dakota	$17,094	$8,845	52.2%	78.1%
3	South Dakota State University Brookings, South Dakota	$18,219	$9,299	59.6%	86.1%
4	University of South Dakota Vermillion, South Dakota	$19,155	$9,432	61.4%	99.5%
5	Dakota Wesleyan University Mitchell, South Dakota	$19,300	$32,890	46.4%	74.8%
6	South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Rapid City, South Dakota	$20,380	$10,400	58.2%	82.7%
7	University of Sioux Falls Sioux Falls, South Dakota	$20,874	$20,740	60.5%	76.0%
8	Mount Marty University Yankton, South Dakota	$23,295	$33,100	60.6%	68.4%
9	Augustana University Sioux Falls, South Dakota	$24,723	$39,190	75.6%	65.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the wide earnings gap between biology programs in South Dakota?

Northern State University biology graduates earn $38,289 compared to just $25,967 at Black Hills State and University of South Dakota, a difference of over $12,000 annually. These variations often reflect alumni career paths, with some programs better connected to higher-paying research positions or healthcare roles in Sioux Falls and Rapid City.

How do public and private biology program costs compare in South Dakota?

Public universities average around $18,500 in net costs while private institutions like Augustana reach $24,723. However, Dakota Wesleyan University breaks this pattern with a $19,300 net price that competes directly with public options despite a $32,890 sticker price.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost for South Dakota biology majors?

The most expensive program at Augustana achieves a 76% graduation rate, while the cheapest at Black Hills State graduates just 39% of biology students. However, University of South Dakota breaks this trend with a 61% graduation rate despite being among the lower-cost options at $19,155.

More Biology, General Rankings

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.