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Best Trade Schools in South Dakota

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. LATI is a public institution located in Watertown, South Dakota. The school has a small population, 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

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Southeast Technical College is a great place for trade school students. Southeast Tech is a public institution located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 797 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Southeast Technical College

#3

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
2,132 Total Awards

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of South Dakota. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Trade Schools in South Dakota list. USD is a medium-sized public school situated in Vermillion, South Dakota. It awarded 2,132 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#4

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
2,703 Total Awards

Out of the 8 schools in South Dakota that were part of this year’s ranking, South Dakota State University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in Brookings, South Dakota, the fairly large public school awarded 2,703 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Full South Dakota State University Report

#5

Mitchell Technical College

Mitchell, South Dakota
464 Total Awards

Out of the 8 schools in South Dakota that were part of this year’s ranking, Mitchell Technical College landed the # 5 spot on the 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.

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#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 full report on University of Sioux Falls

#7

National American University - Rapid City

Rapid City, South Dakota
332 Total Awards

With a ranking of #7, National American University - Rapid City did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. National American University - Rapid City is located in Rapid City, South Dakota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 332 degrees to qualified students.

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#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. This small public school is located in Rapid City, South Dakota, and it awarded 377 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Western Dakota Technical Institute

Best Trade Schools in the Plains States Region

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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.

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