Lowest In-State Tuition for a Bachelor’s
$9,299 in annual undergraduate tuition and required fees for state residents (2024–25), the lowest among the 3 bachelor’s programs shown here.
South Dakota · Economics Rankings · 2027 
Best Economics Programs in South Dakota for 2027
South Dakota’s three bachelor’s programs are small, with 8, 7 and 5 graduates in 2023-24, and public prices stay low even for outsiders: South Dakota State charges $9,299 to residents and $12,809 to nonresidents. Augustana University costs $40,160 and reports 73%. South Dakota State is also where the master’s is, with 9 degrees.
By Taylor Rupe, Editor
Economics Bachelor’s Degree Programs in South Dakota
3 schools in South Dakota awarded economics bachelor’s degrees in 2023–24, scored against 670 bachelor’s programs nationwide.
- 1
South Dakota State University
Economics (B.A./B.S.)
49.7 Comparison ScoreSouth Dakota State packages the economics major as a 120-credit, four-year degree on the Brookings campus, with fall, spring or summer starts and a choice between a BA and a BS. The department leans toward graduate and law school preparation, naming economics graduate programs, MBAs and law school as common next steps, while jobs run to banking, investments, government and commodity risk management. Three student groups sit alongside the major: an economics club, an investment club and a finance, insurance and real estate club. The program suits students who enjoy math and research.
- Degree Choice
- BA or BS, 120 credits over four years
- Start Terms
- Fall, spring or summer
- Student Groups
- Economics Club, Investment Club and Finance, Insurance and Real Estate
Program Sources: Economics (B.A./B.S.) | South Dakota State University
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 8 Economics, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 62% 2,057 first-time, full-time students
- Median Graduate Earnings
- $64,432 Economics bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $9,299 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $12,809 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 2
University of South Dakota
Economics (B.A., B.S., B.B.A.)
47.5 Comparison ScoreSouth Dakota's Vermillion campus offers the economics major through two schools. The BA or BS takes its foundation courses from the College of Arts and Sciences, while the BBA draws them from the Beacom School of Business, and BBA students who qualify can complete the MBA concurrently and receive both degrees together. The department emphasizes experiential learning, from internships on Capitol Hill to study-abroad trips to Europe, and points to careers in banking, government and finance. A minor suits business, political science and nonprofit management students.
- Two Home Schools
- Arts and Sciences for BA or BS, Beacom School of Business for BBA
- Fast-Track Option
- BBA and MBA completed concurrently by qualified business majors
- Experiential Learning
- Capitol Hill internships and study-abroad trips to Europe
Program Sources: Undergraduate Economics | University of South Dakota
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 7 Economics, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 60% 1,284 first-time, full-time students
- Median Graduate Earnings
- $71,463 Economics bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $9,432 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $12,942 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 3
Augustana University
Economics
37.4 Comparison ScoreAugustana frames economics as theoretical analysis, statistical inference and the study of economic history and institutions, taught with ethical, philosophical and governmental connections in view. Professors tie the material to current events. A separate Quantitative Economics major, new this year, leans harder on modeling, empirical analysis and computer simulation, so the general economics major is the broader choice. Recent alumni working as portfolio managers for the South Dakota Investment Council combined economics with mathematics, government and international affairs, or physics and religion. The campus chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon honors achievement.
- Sister Major
- Quantitative Economics, emphasizing models, empirical work and simulation
- Honor Society
- Omicron Delta Epsilon chapter
- Alumni Pairings
- Double and triple majors with math, government, physics and religion
Program Sources: Economics | Augustana University
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 5 Economics, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 73% 455 first-time, full-time students
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $40,160 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $40,160 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
Economics Master’s Programs in South Dakota
1 school in South Dakota has a separately admitting master’s route confirmed on an official school page and reported economics master’s degrees in 2023–24, scored against 214 master’s programs nationwide. You can apply to these master’s programs without entering a Ph.D. program.
- 1
South Dakota State University
Economics (M.S.)
57.3 Comparison ScoreSouth Dakota State's master's in economics is a thesis degree: 30 credits over about two years on the Brookings campus, with starts in fall, spring or summer. The curriculum combines economic theory, quantitative methods and applied analysis, aimed at students who want analytical careers or a stepping stone to a PhD. Assistantships are available, and qualified SDSU undergraduates can use an accelerated pathway. Named career directions include economic or policy adviser and data analyst or econometrician. Applicants should be comfortable with economics, mathematics and statistics.
- Degree Structure
- Thesis option, 30 credits, about two years
- Accelerated Pathway
- Available to qualified SDSU undergraduates
- Career Targets
- Economic or policy adviser, data analyst, econometrician, PhD study
Program Sources: Economics (M.S.) | South Dakota State University
- Master’s Degrees Awarded
- 9 Economics, 2023–24
- Research Designation
- R2 Institution, Carnegie 2025
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $9,384 Graduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $16,917 Graduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
Economics Programs in South Dakota at a Glance
- Ranked Schools
- 3 2 public, 1 private
- Bachelor’s Programs
- 3 20 degrees in 2023–24
- Master’s Programs
- 1 9 degrees in 2023–24
- Lowest In-State Tuition
- $9,299 Bachelor’s list, schoolwide, 2024–25
How We Rank Economics Programs in South Dakota
Each program gets the same comparison score it earns in our national economics model, calculated against the nationwide group that meets the numeric and directory criteria. We then order South Dakota’s eligible programs by that score within each degree level. We feature up to 10 programs, taking the next highest-ranked program from each degree-level list in turn. Scores are compared only within the same degree level. Bachelor’s lists weigh graduation rate (20%), published tuition (20%), graduate earnings (20%), program reputation (25%), and degrees awarded (15%). Master’s lists weigh graduate tuition (25%), research activity (25%), program reputation (30%), and master’s degrees awarded (20%). Master’s lists require an official school source confirming a separately admitting master’s route. Methodology and data sources.
Best Economics Schools in South Dakota by Goal
These picks compare only the programs featured in the lists above.
Most Economics Bachelor’s Graduates
8 economics bachelor’s degrees awarded in 2023–24, the most of any school on this list.
Highest Schoolwide Graduation Rate
73% of first-time, full-time students at the school finished a bachelor’s within six years. This is a schoolwide rate, not a economics-only rate.
Top-Scoring Private College
The highest-scoring private school on the bachelor’s list (No. 3 overall), with a comparison score of 37.4.
Bachelor’s and Master’s at One School
Awarded economics degrees at both levels in 2023–24, so you can compare the undergraduate major and a later master’s in one department.
Where South Dakota Economics Students Get the Most Options
With three schools, the choice comes down to public or private. South Dakota State and University of South Dakota charge $9,299 and $9,432 in-state, and their nonresident figures are $12,809 and $12,942, respectively. Augustana University in Sioux Falls charges $40,160 but posts a 73% schoolwide graduation rate, the highest of the group.
Bachelor’s programs are small everywhere. South Dakota State awarded 8, University of South Dakota 7, and Augustana 5. The bigger number is at the graduate level.
Economics Careers and Pay in South Dakota
These are BLS median annual wages for South Dakota and the United States from the May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. A median is the midpoint among workers in the occupation, from new hires to senior staff, so it is not a starting salary for a new graduate. The 10th–90th percentile range shows what the middle 80% of workers earn in the state.
| Occupation | South Dakota Median | South Dakota 10th–90th Percentile | U.S. Median | South Dakota Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market Research Analyst Salary in South Dakota BLS: Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $63,490 | $47,000–$124,380 | $78,760 | 1,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Wage data does not enter the program scores.
Economics Programs in South Dakota: Common Questions
How Many Schools in South Dakota Appear in These Economics Rankings?
3 schools in South Dakota appear in the lists shown here (3 bachelor’s, 1 master’s programs). A school can appear at more than one degree level. The degree counts come from federal IPEDS completions for 2023–24.
Which Economics Bachelor’s Program in South Dakota Has the Lowest Tuition?
South Dakota State University lists $9,299 in annual undergraduate tuition and required fees for state residents in 2024–25, the lowest among the bachelor’s programs shown here. That is a schoolwide figure before aid, so check the program’s own costs and any fees for fieldwork or labs.
Which South Dakota Economics Master’s Programs Have Separate Admission?
South Dakota State University in Brookings is the ranked economics master’s option with confirmed separate admission. Its program page describes the degree as Master of Science in Economics. The school reported 9 economics master’s degrees in 2023–24. Schoolwide graduate tuition and required fees for residents were $9,384 in 2024–25. Compare the program’s required courses and admission requirements with your planned work or further study.
Sources
- IPEDS C2024_A completions: first-major degrees awarded by field and level, 2023–24.
- IPEDS COST1_2024: tuition and required fees, 2024–25.
- IPEDS DRVGR2024: schoolwide graduation rates.
- Carnegie 2025 Research Activity Designations.
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 state estimates.
- SocialSciences.org ranking methodology.
