Cheapest Design and Applied Arts Colleges in South Dakota

Black Hills State University delivers Design and Applied Arts education for just $17,001 net cost, making it the most affordable option among South Dakota's six programs. The state's growing healthcare and finance sectors create opportunities for graphic designers and multimedia specialists, particularly with major employers like Citibank requiring visual communication expertise. While earnings range from $31,038 to $35,416, the absence of state income tax helps graduates retain more of their starting salaries.

Programs

$17,001 – $22,086

Net Price Range

$33,227

Avg. Program Earnings

51.0%

Avg. Graduation Rate

6 Design and Applied Arts 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	Dakota Wesleyan University Mitchell, South Dakota	$19,300	$32,890	46.4%	74.8%
5	Dakota State University Madison, South Dakota	$19,725	$9,633	49.3%	78.9%
6	National American University-Rapid City Rapid City, South Dakota	$22,086	$16,065	60.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes public universities so much cheaper for Design and Applied Arts in South Dakota?

Public institutions like Black Hills State ($17,001) and Northern State ($17,094) cost significantly less than private options such as Dakota Wesleyan at $19,300. State funding allows public schools to offer in-state tuition rates around $9,000, while private colleges charge full tuition regardless of residency.

How do graduation rates compare across South Dakota's Design and Applied Arts programs?

National American University-Rapid City leads with a 60% graduation rate, followed closely by South Dakota State at 59.6%. However, Northern State achieves 52.2% while maintaining the second-lowest net cost at $17,094, offering strong value for completion rates.

Does location within South Dakota affect program costs or career prospects?

Programs span from Spearfish in the west to Brookings in the east, with costs varying by just $5,000 across all six schools. Rapid City offers proximity to tourism and healthcare industries, while Brookings provides access to agricultural marketing and rural business design needs.

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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.