The average graduation rate of South Dakota colleges is 52.00%. It means that 52.00% of students have completed their studies within 150% of program length.

For the bachelor's degree (BS) in 4-year South Dakota colleges, the average graduation rate is 43.57%, which means 43.57% of students earned BS degree in 6 years after enrolling first year.

In South Dakota 2-year institutions (i.e. community colleges), the average graduation rate is 62.50%.

For South Dakota colleges, Augustana University has the highest graduation rate of 75.53% among 4-year colleges. For South Dakota community colleges, Mitchell Technical College has the highest graduation rate of 70.86%.

Graduation Rate By School Level and Completion Time for South Dakota Colleges

The following table compares graduation rates between South Dakota colleges. For 4-year colleges, the rates are based on the time it takes to earn a bachelor's degree, which typically requires 4 years of study. Therefore, 100% normal time means 4-year, 125% normal time means 5-years, and the 150% normal time means 6 years.

For community colleges (2-4 year schools) and trade schools, the completion time to measure graduation rates vary depending on the length of the program. For example, 150% normal time for 1-year certificate programs is 18 months and 3 years for 2-years associate degree.

Graduation Rate Comparison between South Dakota Colleges
SchoolGraduation Rate
(Completers)		Transfer-out RateRetention Rate
In 100% Normal TimeIn 125% Normal TimeIn 150% Normal Time
Augustana University4-Year College, private60.81%73.16%75.53%16%82%
The Salon Professional AcademyTrade School--100.00%--
Black Hills State University4-Year College, public26.38%41.14%44.49%--
Dakota State University4-Year College, public30.49%41.64%46.23%--
Dakota Wesleyan University4-Year College, private43.82%46.07%46.07%--
Paul Mitchell the School-Rapid CityTrade School10.53%-57.89%--
Lake Area Technical CollegeCommunity College64.31%-70.00%4%81%
Avera McKennan Hospital School of Radiologic TechnologyCommunity College-----
Mitchell Technical CollegeCommunity College66.31%-70.86%5%81%
Mount Marty University4-Year College, private45.19%55.77%56.73%23%71%
National American University-Rapid City4-Year College, private-----
Kairos University4-Year College, private-----
Northern State University4-Year College, public39.57%55.65%58.70%25%74%
Oglala Lakota College4-Year College, public-2.04%2.04%16%67%
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology4-Year College, public27.85%54.07%55.89%5%83%
South Dakota State University4-Year College, public42.26%56.67%59.27%--
Sinte Gleska University4-Year College, public-----
University of Sioux Falls4-Year College, private46.64%57.46%58.58%28%74%
Sanford Medical CenterCommunity College-----
Sisseton Wahpeton College4-Year College, public-----
Southeast Technical CollegeCommunity College54.22%-58.43%8%72%
Stewart SchoolTrade School4.35%-73.91%--
University of South Dakota4-Year College, public44.48%54.70%56.60%25%82%
Western Dakota Technical CollegeCommunity College42.67%-52.67%6%66%
California Intercontinental University4-Year College, private-----
Institute of Lutheran Theology4-Year College, private-----