Lowest In-State Tuition for a Bachelor’s
$8,916 in annual undergraduate tuition and required fees for state residents (2024–25), the lowest among the 4 bachelor’s programs shown here.
South Dakota · Political Science Rankings · 2027 
Best Political Science Programs in South Dakota for 2027
Four South Dakota schools awarded political science bachelor’s degrees in 2023–24, for 60 graduates. South Dakota State University ranks first on this list, ahead of University of South Dakota.
By Taylor Rupe, Editor
Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Programs in South Dakota
4 schools in South Dakota awarded political science bachelor’s degrees in 2023–24, scored against 991 bachelor’s programs nationwide.
- 1
South Dakota State University
Political Science (B.A./B.S.)
67.5 Comparison ScorePick the BA or the BS in political science at South Dakota State and you get the same 42-credit major, with a different supporting package: a foreign language through the 202 level for the BA, or two lab sciences for the BS. The major runs through American Government, Introduction to Political Science, Current World Issues, Research Methods and a Capstone. Fifteen credits come from 300- and 400-level political science, including one course on non-American politics such as Model United Nations or Foreign Policy Decision Making. You also declare a minor, a second major or a teaching specialization.
- Methods and Capstone
- POLS 388 Research Methods and POLS 489 Capstone
- Non-American Politics
- One 300-400 level course such as Model United Nations or Democracy and Authoritarianism
- Degree Options
- B.A. with a language through 202, or B.S. with two lab sciences
Program Sources: Political Science (B.A./B.S.) | South Dakota State University Catalog
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 20 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 62% 2,057 first-time, full-time students
- Median Graduate Earnings
- $70,727 Political Science 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
Political Science (B.A., B.S.)
64.2 Comparison ScoreThe University of South Dakota organizes its 36-hour political science major around three subfields, and you take one course in each: American politics and institutions, public administration and public policy, and comparative politics with international relations. Core courses include Information Literacy in the Discipline, Governments of the World, Introduction to Public Policy and Public Administration. Twelve more credits come from political science electives, and only three of them can be internship credit. If public service is the goal, a fast-track lets you start Master of Public Administration courses as a senior. Double majoring with criminal justice is also mapped out.
- Subfield Requirement
- One course each in American politics, public policy and administration, and comparative or international politics
- MPA Fast Track
- Apply in the spring of junior year to begin Master of Public Administration courses as a senior
- Double Major
- Political Science with Criminal Justice, 66 or 69 credit hours combined
Program Sources: Program: Political Science (B.A., B.S.)
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 26 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 60% 1,284 first-time, full-time students
- Median Graduate Earnings
- $61,362 Political Science 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
Political Science Major
40.1 Comparison ScoreSeven required courses open the 39-credit political science major at Augustana, including Political Ideologies, Introduction to Legal Studies and a Topics course. It ends with a Research Seminar. In between, you take at least one course from each of six areas: American government, comparative politics, international relations, legal studies, political theory, and an experiential application that can be study away, directed research or an internship. Choices include Designing Democracy, Religion and the Law and Environmental Politics. You can’t double major with Legal Studies, Global Politics or American Politics and Policy.
- Required Courses
- Seven courses, 21 credit hours, ending with GOVT 4910 Research Seminar
- Area Breadth
- One course from each of six areas, 18 credits
- Experiential Application
- Study away, directed research or an internship
Program Sources: Augustana University - Political Science Major
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 9 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 73% 455 first-time, full-time students
- Median Graduate Earnings
- $46,646 Political Science bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $40,160 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $40,160 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 4
Black Hills State University
Political Science Major
40.1 Comparison ScoreBlack Hills State splits the upper-level part of its political science major into two themes. Civic Leadership has you take five courses such as State and Local Government, Constitutional Law, American Indian Government and Politics, or an internship worth up to 12 semester hours. Global Citizenship adds three courses from options like Revolution and Revolt, International Political Economy and American Foreign Relations. A 15-hour core covers American government, world governments, international relations, political theory and a research course. A minor or second major is required. The catalog lists internships with the state legislature, the governor’s office and lobbying groups. Five degrees were awarded in 2023–24.
- Required Core
- 15 semester hours ending with POLS 498 Research
- Civic Leadership
- Five courses, with internships worth 1 to 12 semester hours
- Global Citizenship
- Three courses in comparative and international politics
Program Sources: Political Science Major BBS.POL
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 5 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 43% 408 first-time, full-time students
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $8,916 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $12,018 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
Political Science Programs in South Dakota at a Glance
- Ranked Schools
- 4 3 public, 1 private
- Bachelor’s Programs
- 4 60 degrees in 2023–24
- Lowest In-State Tuition
- $8,916 Bachelor’s list, schoolwide, 2024–25
How We Rank Political Science Programs in South Dakota
Each program gets the same comparison score it earns in our national political science 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. This page features 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%). Methodology and data sources.
Best Political Science Schools in South Dakota by Goal
These picks compare only the programs featured in the lists above.
Most Political Science Bachelor’s Graduates
26 political science 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 political science-only rate.
Top-Scoring Private College
The highest-scoring private school on the bachelor’s list (No. 3 overall), with a comparison score of 40.1.
Comparing South Dakota’s Political Science Programs Side by Side
The top two schools are close. South Dakota State scored 67.5 and University of South Dakota scored 64.2. They also cost about the same in-state, $9,299 and $9,432. Graduation rates are close too, at 62% and 60%. The difference is mostly size: University of South Dakota awarded 26 bachelor’s degrees to South Dakota State’s 20.
Further down, Augustana University in Sioux Falls is the only private school. It costs $40,160 but has the highest schoolwide graduation rate, 73%. Black Hills State University is cheapest at $8,916 in-state, though it awarded 5 degrees.
Political Science 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Science Research Assistants | $44,820 | $28,260–$50,670 | $61,990 | 40 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $71,180 | $51,670–$92,760 | $89,320 | 210 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Wage data does not enter the program scores.
Political Science Programs in South Dakota: Common Questions
How Many Schools in South Dakota Appear in These Political Science Rankings?
4 schools in South Dakota appear in the lists shown here (4 bachelor’s programs). A school can appear at more than one degree level. The degree counts come from federal IPEDS completions for 2023–24.
Which Political Science Bachelor’s Program in South Dakota Has the Lowest Tuition?
Black Hills State University lists $8,916 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 Schools in South Dakota Reported Political Science Research Doctorates in 2023–24?
The federal IPEDS completions file records political science research doctorates awarded in 2023–24 at University of South Dakota (6 degrees). These are historical award counts. Check current admissions, advisor availability, and funding directly with each department.
Can I Earn a Political Science Ph.D. in South Dakota?
Yes. University of South Dakota in Vermillion is the only school on this list with political science research doctorates. It awarded 6 in 2023–24.
Sources for This Page
- 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.