Best College ROI in Sd 2026
15 colleges in Sd analyzed for return on investment. National American University-Rapid City leads with a ROI Score of 100/100 (STRONG BUY).
Sd has 15 colleges tracked in the Department of Education's College Scorecard, split between 9 public institutions and 6 private ones. Across the 15 schools with enough data to score, graduates of the top-paying major at each school carry a median federal debt of $22K and earn $77K in their first year out — the gap that determines whether a degree pays back.
100% of Sd colleges earn an A or B on the ROI Score, with the rest landing at C or below. First-year earnings top out at National American University-Rapid City (median $95K on Computer and Information Sciences).
All numbers come from the latest College Scorecard release, which tracks outcomes for federal financial aid recipients only — graduates who paid cash or used private loans aren't in this dataset, so actual median debt at high-income schools may be lower than shown. The ROI Score weights debt-to-income (35%), earnings premium (25%), BLS job outlook (20%), graduation rate (10%), and debt vs. national average (10%).
Top 3 Best ROI Colleges in Sd
National American University-Rapid City
Private · Verdict: STRONG BUY
Tops Sd's ROI rankings on its Computer and Information Sciences program. Graduates earn a median $95K in their first year against $11K in median debt.
California Intercontinental University
Private · Verdict: STRONG BUY
Second-best ROI in the state, driven by Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. Five-year median earnings: $147K.
Black Hills State University
Public · Verdict: STRONG BUY
Third on the ROI Score with Mathematics. Graduation rate 10000%, debt $21K.
Top 15 Colleges by ROI in Sd
| # | School | Best Major | Median Debt | 1yr Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | National American University-Rapid City(private) | Computer and Information Sciences | $11K | $95K | A (100) |
| 2 | California Intercontinental University(private) | Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $17K | $95K | A (98) |
| 3 | Black Hills State University(public) | Mathematics | $21K | $78K | A (96) |
| 4 | Dakota State University(public) | Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $22K | $95K | A (96) |
| 5 | Oglala Lakota College(public) | Computer and Information Sciences | $20K | $95K | A (96) |
| 6 | South Dakota School of Mines and Technology(public) | Computer and Information Sciences | $21K | $95K | A (96) |
| 7 | Augustana University(private) | Mathematics | $22K | $78K | A (95) |
| 8 | University of Sioux Falls(private) | Mathematics | $22K | $78K | A (95) |
| 9 | South Dakota State University(public) | Statistics | $22K | $78K | A (94) |
| 10 | Northern State University(public) | Business Administration, Management and Operations | $23K | $65K | B (79) |
| 11 | Sinte Gleska University(public) | Business Administration, Management and Operations | $24K | $65K | B (79) |
| 12 | Mount Marty University(private) | Business Administration, Management and Operations | $27K | $65K | B (78) |
| 13 | University of South Dakota(public) | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $27K | $62K | B (78) |
| 14 | Dakota Wesleyan University(private) | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $33K | $62K | B (76) |
| 15 | Sisseton Wahpeton College(public) | Behavioral Sciences | $24K | $52K | B (72) |
College debt and earnings data for Sd is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, which tracks outcomes for federal financial aid recipients.
Frequently Asked Questions
National American University-Rapid City has the best ROI in Sd with a score of 100/100 (STRONG BUY). The top major is Computer and Information Sciences, with $95K in first-year median earnings against $11K in median debt.
Across 15 Sd colleges with ROI data, graduates carry a median debt of about $22K on the best-paying major at each school. First-year median earnings on those same programs average $77K.
National American University-Rapid City graduates earn the most one year out, with median first-year pay of $95K on its top major (Computer and Information Sciences). After five years, those graduates earn a median of $147K.
Sd has 15 colleges in our database (9 public, 6 private). Of the 15 with reportable ROI, 100% earn an A or B grade.
The ROI Score (0-100) weighs debt-to-income ratio (35%), earnings premium over a high school graduate (25%), job market outlook (20%), graduation rate (10%), and debt vs. national average (10%). Scores are graded A-F with verdicts from "Strong Buy" to "Avoid." Data comes from the College Scorecard and BLS occupational projections.
ROI Score: debt-to-income (35%), earnings premium (25%), job market outlook (20%), graduation rate (10%), debt vs. national average (10%).