2026 Best Teaching Schools in South Dakota
Looking for the best Teaching degree programs in South Dakota? Our ranking highlights 27 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Teaching Degree Search reviewed 18 schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Teaching Degree Schools in South Dakota
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Leading the list is Augustana College South Dakota, our #1 Teaching school in South Dakota. Located in Sioux Falls, SD, Augustana College South Dakota is a private not-for-profit institution. About 73% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $40,160 in tuition and fees. Typical Teaching student debt is $26,217. Read the full report on Augustana College South Dakota
Northern State University came in at #2 on this year's Teaching ranking in South Dakota. Northern State University is a public school based in Aberdeen, SD. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,947. Students borrow a median of $26,143 to complete their Teaching program here. Read more about Northern State University
Out of the 18 schools in South Dakota in this year's ranking, South Dakota State University landed the #3 spot. Based in Brookings, SD, South Dakota State University is a public institution. South Dakota State University graduates 62% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. South Dakota State University Teaching students take on a median of $24,989 in debt. Read more about South Dakota State University
Out of the 18 schools in South Dakota in this year's ranking, University Of South Dakota landed the #4 spot. Based in Vermillion, SD, University Of South Dakota is a public institution. University Of South Dakota graduates 60% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. The median Teaching program debt is $26,322. Read more about University Of South Dakota
University Of Sioux Falls came in at #5 on this year's Teaching ranking in South Dakota. Based in Sioux Falls, SD, University Of Sioux Falls is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Sioux Falls graduates 62% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,750. Graduates carry a median of $26,103 in student loans. Get the full University Of Sioux Falls report
Black Hills State University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Based in Spearfish, SD, Black Hills State University is a public institution. Black Hills State University graduates 43% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,916, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Typical Teaching student debt is $26,820. Read the full report on Black Hills State University
National American University Rapid City placed #7 among Teaching schools in South Dakota. See the full National American University Rapid City profile
Mount Marty College came in at #8 in this year's ranking. More on Mount Marty College
Avera Sacred Heart Hospital did well this year, earning the #9 position. Read the full report on Avera Sacred Heart Hospital
Western Dakota Technical Institute came in at #10 in this year's ranking. More on Western Dakota Technical Institute
Oglala Lakota College landed the #11 spot in South Dakota this year. See the full Oglala Lakota College profile
Stewart School
Stewart School did well this year, earning the #12 position. More on Stewart School
Sanford Medical Center came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Sanford Medical Center
Sisseton Wahpeton College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. See the full Sisseton Wahpeton College profile
California Intercontinental University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. See the full California Intercontinental University profile
Dakota Wesleyan University landed the #16 spot in South Dakota this year. Get the full Dakota Wesleyan University report
Southeast Technical Institute landed the #17 spot in South Dakota this year. See the full Southeast Technical Institute profile
Sinte Gleska University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. See the full Sinte Gleska University profile
Sioux Falls Seminary came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Sioux Falls Seminary
Headlines Academy Inc ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Read more about Headlines Academy Inc
Black Hills Beauty College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. More on Black Hills Beauty College
Mitchell Technical Institute came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Mitchell Technical Institute
Lake Area Technical Institute landed the #23 spot in South Dakota this year. Read more about Lake Area Technical Institute
Dakota State University came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Read more about Dakota State University
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. More on South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology
Rest of the Top 15% Best Teaching Degree Schools in South Dakota
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Institute Of Lutheran Theology ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. See the full Institute Of Lutheran Theology profile
Hot Rod Institute did well this year, earning the #27 position. Get the full Hot Rod Institute report
More Teaching Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Teaching Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 18 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 27 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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