2025 Top Ranked Psychology Degree Programs in South Dakota

Unlock Your Psychology Career Potential: Compare the Best Psychology Degree Programs in South Dakota for 2025

South Dakota Psychology Degrees Programs

Top (4) Psychology Programs in South Dakota

Psychology Programs Offered in South Dakota

There are 27 undergraduate psychology programs offered by 10 different 4-year colleges, comprising 5 public and 5 private schools.

Additionally, psychology programs in South Dakota produced 297 bachelor’s graduates, 166 master’s graduates and 12 doctorate graduates.

The table below details the programs offered and the total number of graduates in South Dakota.

Credits Accepted for South Dakota Schools

The types of academic credits available to South Dakota students are varied and include:

• Dual enrollment
• Credit for life experiences
• Advanced placement (AP) credits

Psychology Admission, Enrollment, and Graduation in South Dakota

On average, South Dakota schools admitted 80% of students who applied to 4-year institutions. Of those who were offered admission, 35% enrolled.

The average freshman retention rate for South Dakota schools is 67%, compared to 71% for all universities nationwide.

The overall graduation rate for 4-year colleges and universities in South Dakota is 51%, compared to 56% for all universities nationwide.

The top three schools in South Dakota for highest graduation rate are Augustana University (71%), Mount Marty University (61%), and South Dakota State University (60%).

The top three schools with the highest number of psychology graduates in South Dakota are University of South Dakota (225), South Dakota State University (129), and University of Sioux Falls (36).

Student & Faculty Information in South Dakota

In the fall of 2021, South Dakota schools that offered psychology programs had an average of 67% full-time instructional or research faculty members and 32% part-time instructional faculty members.

The average student-to-faculty ratio for South Dakota schools offering psychology programs is 13:1.

The table below shows a comparison of the percentage of full-time instructional and research faculty members and the student-to-faculty ratio between South Dakota and the United States as a whole:

Tuition and Student Expenses in South Dakota

If you’re an undergraduate psychology student in South Dakota, the average tuition you’ll pay depends on the institution you choose. Typically, tuition costs range from $2,016 to $34,934 per year, with an average of $13,302. In addition to tuition, you’ll also need to budget for books and supplies, which can cost between $1,000 and $1,704 annually, with an average of $1,212.

The three most affordable undergraduate psychology schools in South Dakota are Black Hills State University ($20,716), South Dakota State University ($21,090), and University of South Dakota ($22,198). Meanwhile, the three most expensive institutions are the University of South Dakota ($22,198), South Dakota State University ($21,090), and Black Hills State University ($20,716).

As for prospective graduate psychology students, the average cost of tuition and fees for graduate programs varies widely based on the school and program chosen. Graduate tuition costs between $1,500 and $35,716 per year, with an average of $10,220. However, most graduate programs also require additional fees, such as application fees, technology fees, and library fees, which can add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars. In-state graduate fees typically range from $448 to $2,125, with an average of $1,023.

The three most affordable graduate psychology schools in South Dakota are University of South Dakota ($7,118), Black Hills State University ($8,916), and South Dakota State University ($9,384). Meanwhile, the three most expensive graduate programs are South Dakota State University ($9,384), Black Hills State University ($8,916), and University of South Dakota ($7,118).

If you’re curious about how South Dakota schools stack up against national averages, you can compare average total expenses in the table below. Note that these figures don’t take into account financial aid, grants, loans, or scholarships. If you’re interested in that information, you can find it in the sections below.

Cost to Attend, Financial Aid, Net Price in South Dakota

Average Net Price

In South Dakota, the cost to attend a college or university that offers psychology programs is a significant financial investment. The key term to know for college affordability is the net price.

The average net price for a college or university in South Dakota that offers psychology programs is $18,700. This figure is calculated based on the most recent data provided by each institution to the US Department of Education.

Net price is determined by adding up the costs of tuition, room and board, living expenses, books, and supplies and then subtracting the average financial aid, such as grants, scholarships, and loans, received by federal financial aid recipients.

Net Price by Family Income

Depending on the federal, state, or institutional grant aid available, the table below shows the average amount students pay to attend South Dakota universities shown by family income bracket.

Students may pay more or less depending on their individual circumstances; however, these are the average costs as tracked by the university and reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

• Industrial Organizational Psychologists
• Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
• Psychology Teachers
• Forensic Psychologists
• School Psychologists
• Health Care Social Workers
• Social Workers
• Substance Abuse Counselors
• Marriage and Family Therapists

in addition to school websites, our Career, Salary and Program Source Data Comes from