2026 Best Computer Science Schools in South Dakota
Looking for the best Computer Science degree programs in South Dakota? We have ranked 27 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Computer Science Degree 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 Computer Science Degree Schools in South Dakota
Explore the leading schools below:
Lake Area Technical Institute tops our 2026 ranking of the best Computer Science degree schools in South Dakota. Located in Watertown, SD, Lake Area Technical Institute is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,718 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $13,674 in student loans. Read the full report on Lake Area Technical Institute
Request InformationOut of the 18 schools in South Dakota in this year's ranking, Southeast Technical Institute landed the #2 spot. Southeast Technical Institute is a public school based in Sioux Falls, SD. Students from in state pay about $7,650 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $18,442 in student loans. Read more about Southeast Technical Institute
Request InformationOut of the 18 schools in South Dakota in this year's ranking, Dakota State University landed the #3 spot. Dakota State University is a public school based in Madison, SD. Dakota State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, compared with $12,756 for out-of-state students. The median Computer Science program debt is $28,724. Get the full Dakota State University report
Request InformationYou'll be in good company at South Dakota State University, which ranked #4 this year. Located in Brookings, SD, South Dakota State University is a public institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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 Computer Science students take on a median of $24,989 in debt. More on South Dakota State University
Request InformationYou'll be in good company at Western Dakota Technical Institute, which ranked #5 this year. Western Dakota Technical Institute is a public school based in Rapid City, SD. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,294. Western Dakota Technical Institute Computer Science students take on a median of $15,620 in debt. More on Western Dakota Technical Institute
Request InformationNational American University Rapid City ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Set in Rapid City, SD, National American University Rapid City is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,065 in tuition and fees. National American University Rapid City Computer Science students take on a median of $38,264 in debt. Read the full report on National American University Rapid City
Request InformationMount Marty College came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Read more about Mount Marty College
Request InformationAugustana College South Dakota ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Read the full report on Augustana College South Dakota
Request InformationHeadlines Academy Inc did well this year, earning the #9 position. Get the full Headlines Academy Inc report
Request InformationSouth Dakota School Of Mines And Technology landed the #10 spot in South Dakota this year. More on South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology
Request InformationSisseton Wahpeton College did well this year, earning the #11 position. Read more about Sisseton Wahpeton College
Request InformationHot Rod Institute ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Read more about Hot Rod Institute
Request InformationBlack Hills State University did well this year, earning the #13 position. See the full Black Hills State University profile
Request InformationInstitute Of Lutheran Theology placed #14 among Computer Science schools in South Dakota. See the full Institute Of Lutheran Theology profile
Request InformationAvera Sacred Heart Hospital placed #15 among Computer Science schools in South Dakota. More on Avera Sacred Heart Hospital
Request InformationSanford Medical Center placed #16 among Computer Science schools in South Dakota. More on Sanford Medical Center
Request InformationStewart School
Stewart School landed the #17 spot in South Dakota this year. Read more about Stewart School
Request InformationSioux Falls Seminary landed the #18 spot in South Dakota this year. See the full Sioux Falls Seminary profile
Request InformationNorthern State University did well this year, earning the #19 position. Get the full Northern State University report
Request InformationDakota Wesleyan University did well this year, earning the #20 position. See the full Dakota Wesleyan University profile
Request InformationBlack Hills Beauty College did well this year, earning the #21 position. See the full Black Hills Beauty College profile
Request InformationSinte Gleska University did well this year, earning the #22 position. Read more about Sinte Gleska University
Request InformationCalifornia Intercontinental University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Read the full report on California Intercontinental University
Request InformationOglala Lakota College landed the #24 spot in South Dakota this year. More on Oglala Lakota College
Request InformationMitchell Technical Institute came in at #25 in this year's ranking. See the full Mitchell Technical Institute profile
Request InformationRest of the Top 15% Best Computer Science Degree Schools in South Dakota
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
University Of South Dakota placed #26 among Computer Science schools in South Dakota. Get the full University Of South Dakota report
Request InformationUniversity Of Sioux Falls did well this year, earning the #27 position. Get the full University Of Sioux Falls report
Request InformationMore Computer Science Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Computer Science Degree (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).