Find Trade Colleges

Study Area & Zipcode

Best Trade Schools in South Dakota

Find Schools Near

2023 Best Trade Schools in South Dakota

8 Schools Ranked
$43,074 Average Earnings
$24,172 Avg Student Debt

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for trade school students. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Best Trade Schools in South Dakota ranking. This report analyzed 8 schools in South Dakota to see which ones offered the best programs for trade school students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Trade Schools in South Dakota

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Lake Area Technical Institute

Watertown, South Dakota
793 Total Awards

Our analysis found Lake Area Technical Institute to be the best school for trade school students in South Dakota. This small public school is located in Watertown, South Dakota, and it awarded 793 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Lake Area Technical Institute Report

#2

Southeast Technical College

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
797 Total Awards

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southeast Technical College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Trade Schools in South Dakota list. Located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the small public school handed out 797 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Southeast Technical College

#3

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
2,132 Total Awards

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means University of South Dakota is a great place for trade school students. University of South Dakota is a medium-sized public school located in Vermillion, South Dakota that handed out 2,132 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full University of South Dakota Report

#4

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
2,703 Total Awards

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend South Dakota State University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in South Dakota list. South Dakota State University is a fairly large public school located in Brookings, South Dakota that handed out 2,703 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on South Dakota State University

#5

Mitchell Technical College

Mitchell, South Dakota
464 Total Awards

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Mitchell Technical College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Trade Schools in South Dakota list. Mitchell Tech is a public institution located in Mitchell, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 464 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read More…

#6

University of Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
586 Total Awards

University of Sioux Falls ranked #6 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in South Dakota list. University of Sioux Falls is a private not-for-profit institution located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 586 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read More…

#7

National American University - Rapid City

Rapid City, South Dakota
332 Total Awards

National American University - Rapid City ranked #7 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in South Dakota list. Rapid City, South Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 332 students in 2021-2022.

Read full report on National American University - Rapid City

#8

Western Dakota Technical Institute

Rapid City, South Dakota
377 Total Awards

Western Dakota Technical Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #8 on the list. Western Dakota Tech is a small public school situated in Rapid City, South Dakota. It awarded 377 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read More…

Best Trade Schools in the Plains States Region

View Best Trade Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 8 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Featured Schools

Find Trade Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited trade schools across the U.S.