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Easy Admission Colleges in South Dakota

10 schools in South Dakota. See our methodology.

The University of South Dakota accepts 99.5% of applicants, making it one of the most accessible major universities in America. This open-door approach reflects South Dakota's broader commitment to higher education access, with eight of the state's ten colleges accepting three-quarters or more of students who apply. Net costs range from $17,001 at Black Hills State to $20,874 at the University of Sioux Falls, keeping education affordable in a state with no income tax. South Dakota School of Mines stands out with graduates earning $72,257 annually, reflecting strong demand for engineers in the region's energy and technology sectors. The state's major employers, including Citibank's credit card operations in Sioux Falls and Sanford Health's regional network, actively recruit from these institutions. Northern State University charges just $17,094 net annually while maintaining a 78% acceptance rate, demonstrating how public universities serve rural communities. Even private options like Dakota Wesleyan accept 75% of applicants at $19,300 net cost. These acceptance rates support South Dakota's economic development strategy, ensuring local students can access higher education without leaving the state.
10
Schools
$18,969
Avg. Net Price
$54,096
Avg. Earnings
53.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

Easy Admission Colleges in South Dakota

College listings
# School Acceptance Rate Enrollment Net Price Graduation Rate
1 100.0% 36
2 99.5% 5,239 $19,155 61.4%
3 96.6% 1,935 $17,001 38.6%
4 86.1% 8,798 $18,219 59.6%
5 82.7% 2,042 $20,380 58.2%
6 78.9% 1,969 $19,725 49.3%
7 78.1% 1,239 $17,094 52.2%
8 76.0% 1,258 $20,874 60.5%
9 75.6%
10 74.8% 661 $19,300 46.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What acceptance rate can students expect at South Dakota colleges?

Most South Dakota colleges accept 75% or more of applicants. The University of South Dakota leads with 99.5% acceptance, while Black Hills State accepts 96.6%. Even the most selective option, Dakota Wesleyan, accepts 74.8% of students, making college admission highly attainable across the state.

How much do these accessible colleges cost annually?

Net costs range from $17,001 at Black Hills State to $20,874 at the University of Sioux Falls. Public options like Northern State ($17,094) and Black Hills State offer the lowest costs, while private universities average around $20,000 annually after financial aid.

What career earnings can graduates expect?

South Dakota School of Mines graduates earn the highest at $72,257 annually, reflecting strong engineering job markets. Other schools produce graduates earning $46,674 to $55,070, with South Dakota State graduates averaging $55,070 in fields serving the state's agriculture and healthcare industries.

Does South Dakota offer advantages for college affordability?

South Dakota has no state income tax, effectively increasing graduate take-home pay. Combined with net college costs under $21,000 and strong regional employers like Citibank and Sanford Health, students can build careers without heavy debt burdens typical in other states.

Which schools offer the best graduation outcomes?

The University of South Dakota achieves 61.4% graduation rates despite 99.5% acceptance, while South Dakota State graduates 59.6% of students. These rates exceed 50% at most institutions, demonstrating that high acceptance doesn't compromise student success in South Dakota's supportive academic environment.

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See our methodology for details on rankings and data sources.