Lowest In-State Tuition for a Bachelor’s
$8,845 in annual undergraduate tuition and required fees for state residents (2024–25), the lowest among the 6 bachelor’s programs shown here.
South Dakota · Sociology Rankings · 2027 
Best Sociology Programs in South Dakota for 2027
Six South Dakota schools awarded sociology bachelor’s degrees in 2023–24. Four are public. South Dakota State University in Brookings ranks first on this list and graduated 13 sociology majors, the most in the state.
By Taylor Rupe, Editor
Sociology Bachelor’s Degree Programs in South Dakota
6 schools in South Dakota awarded sociology bachelor’s degrees in 2023–24, scored against 843 bachelor’s programs nationwide.
- 1
South Dakota State University
Sociology (B.A./B.S.)
64.3 Comparison ScoreThis 120-credit B.A. or B.S. puts 33 credits in the major, starting with Investigating the Social World, then Research Methods I and II, Sociological Theory and a capstone. Eighteen more credits come from sociology or anthropology electives, and you add a minor, a second major or a teaching specialization. The B.A. calls for a modern language through the 202 level, while the B.S. takes two lab sciences instead. Internship sites the department lists include Sanford Health, Brookings Health System, McCrossan Boys Ranch and the child protection office of the Department of Social Services in Brookings. The program sits first on the South Dakota ranking, with 13 degrees awarded in 2023–24.
- Methods Sequence
- Investigating the Social World, then Research Methods I and II
- Capstone
- SOC 489 Capstone plus Sociological Theory
- B.A. Versus B.S.
- B.A. adds a modern language through the 202 level; B.S. adds two lab sciences
Program Sources: Sociology (B.A./B.S.) | South Dakota State University CatalogSociology (B.A./B.S.) | Academic Program | South Dakota State University
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 13 Sociology, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 62% 2,057 first-time, full-time students
- Median Graduate Earnings
- $51,910 Sociology 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
Sociology (B.A., B.S.)
58.2 Comparison ScoreThirty major hours sit inside the College of Arts & Sciences degree requirements here. The core covers introduction to sociology, sociocultural theory, statistical research methods and methods of social research. You then pick one of sociology of religion, medical sociology, sociology of education or a seminar, and fill 15 credits with electives, at least nine of them at the 300 level or above and up to three from an internship. A 3+2 accelerated track lets sociology B.S. students start Master of Social Work courses after 96 undergraduate credits. Each year the program hosts a conference where students present their research. Eight degrees were awarded in 2023–24.
- Required Core
- Introduction, sociocultural theory, statistical research methods and methods of social research
- Accelerated Pathway
- 3+2 bachelor’s to Master of Social Work, with 96 undergraduate credits first
- Student Research
- Annual interdisciplinary conference for student presentations
Program Sources: Program: Sociology (B.A., B.S.) - University of South DakotaUndergraduate Sociology | University of South Dakota
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 8 Sociology, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 60% 1,284 first-time, full-time students
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $9,432 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $12,942 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 3
Northern State University
Human and Social Services (BA)
48.3 Comparison ScoreNorthern packages its sociology coursework as a 120-credit Human and Social Services major. Sample courses include Introduction to Sociology, Social Problems, Socio-Cultural Theory, Social Stratification, Introduction to Social Work, Social Work Practice II, Field Experience and a Social Science Capstone. Traveling classrooms take you into places such as South Dakota’s correctional and social services systems, and one is built around a week on the Standing Rock Reservation. A 3:2 collaboration with the University of South Dakota lets you earn the sociology degree in three years and move into its Master of Social Work. Five degrees were awarded in 2023–24.
- Field Experience
- Internships in Aberdeen and South Dakota communities, with a field experience course
- Traveling Classrooms
- Week-long trips, including one to the Standing Rock Reservation
- Transfer Pathway
- 3:2 plan into the University of South Dakota Master of Social Work
Program Sources: Human and Social Services Bachelor's Degree | Northern State University in South Dakota
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 5 Sociology, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 55% 255 first-time, full-time students
- Median Graduate Earnings
- $50,765 Sociology bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $8,845 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $11,947 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 4
Black Hills State University
Sociology - Specialization in Culture & Society
47.1 Comparison ScoreAfter a shared 27-credit core, you choose which side of sociology to build. The core includes Research Methods I and II, Sociological Theory, Social Stratification, Race and Ethnic Relations, Social Deviance and a three-credit research course. The Culture & Society specialization adds 15 credits from options like American Indian Women, Native Societies of the Northern Plains, Sociology of Religion and Urban Sociology, while the Law & Justice version draws on criminology, victimology, prisons and penology, and juvenile delinquency. A minor or second major is required to reach 120 hours, 36 of them at the 300 to 400 level. Nine degrees were awarded in 2023–24.
- Specializations
- Culture & Society, or Law & Justice, each with 15 credits of electives
- Methods Sequence
- Research Methods I and II, then a three-credit Research course
- Degree Structure
- Minor or second major required to reach 120 hours
Program Sources: Program: Sociology - Specialization in Culture & Society - Academic CatalogProgram: Sociology - Specialization in Law & Justice - Academic Catalog
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 9 Sociology, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 43% 408 first-time, full-time students
- Median Graduate Earnings
- $49,833 Sociology bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $8,916 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $12,018 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 5
Augustana University
Sociology Major
41.5 Comparison ScoreContemporary Society, Social Inequality, Social Science Research Methods, Sociological Theory and a four-credit statistics course make up the required core, followed by 12 hours of sociology electives. Electives can also come from cross-listed courses in aging studies, anthropology, criminal justice and Native American studies. The department points to family, religion, medical sociology, deviance, gender, gerontology and social inequality as topic areas, and a faculty advisor helps you choose among them. Smaller minors in Criminology and Deviance and in Medicine and Health Care sit beside the major. Three degrees were awarded in 2023–24, and the major totals 31 credit hours.
- Required Core
- Contemporary Society, Social Inequality, Research Methods, Sociological Theory and Statistics
- Electives
- 12 hours of sociology, plus approved aging, anthropology, criminal justice and Native American studies courses
- Related Minors
- Criminology and Deviance; Medicine and Health Care
Program Sources: Augustana University - Sociology MajorAugustana University - Sociology
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 3 Sociology, 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
- 6
University of Sioux Falls
Social Science B.A.
38.1 Comparison ScoreSociology lives inside the Social Science B.A. here, a 45-semester-hour major where you choose how much of it to focus on sociology. At least 21 hours must sit in one field of concentration, and sociology is one of the eight fields you can pick, alongside criminal justice, exercise science, history, political science, psychology, social science and social work. You also take at least nine hours in each of two supporting fields, which can include sociology, economics, geography or social work, plus two elective credits from any social science. Pick sociology as either your concentration or a supporting field and the rest of the degree fills in around it. One degree was awarded in 2023–24.
- Field of Concentration
- At least 21 semester hours in one field, with sociology among eight choices
- Supporting Fields
- At least nine hours in each of two other disciplines
- Major Size
- 45 semester hours in the social sciences, plus two elective credits
Program Sources: Social Science B.A. | University of Sioux Falls
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 1 Sociology, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 62% 295 first-time, full-time students
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $21,750 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $21,750 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
Sociology Programs in South Dakota at a Glance
- Ranked Schools
- 6 4 public, 2 private
- Bachelor’s Programs
- 6 39 degrees in 2023–24
- Lowest In-State Tuition
- $8,845 Bachelor’s list, schoolwide, 2024–25
How We Rank Sociology Programs in South Dakota
Each program gets the same comparison score it earns in our national sociology 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 Sociology Schools in South Dakota by Goal
These picks compare only the programs featured in the lists above.
Most Sociology Bachelor’s Graduates
13 sociology 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 sociology-only rate.
Top-Scoring Private College
The highest-scoring private school on the bachelor’s list (No. 5 overall), with a comparison score of 41.5.
What Separates South Dakota’s Sociology Programs
The four public schools cluster tightly on price. Northern State University in Aberdeen is lowest at $8,845 in-state, and University of South Dakota is highest of the four at $9,432. The two private schools in Sioux Falls cost more: $21,750 at University of Sioux Falls and $40,160 at Augustana University. Augustana has the top schoolwide graduation rate on the list, at 73%.
Program size varies a lot. South Dakota State awarded 13 bachelor’s degrees and Black Hills State 9, while University of Sioux Falls awarded 1.
Sociology 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 |
| 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.
Sociology Programs in South Dakota: Common Questions
How Many Schools in South Dakota Appear in These Sociology Rankings?
6 schools in South Dakota appear in the lists shown here (6 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 Sociology Bachelor’s Program in South Dakota Has the Lowest Tuition?
Northern State University lists $8,845 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 Sociology Research Doctorates in 2023–24?
The federal IPEDS completions file records sociology research doctorates awarded in 2023–24 at South Dakota State University (1 degree). These are historical award counts. Check current admissions, advisor availability, and funding directly with each department.
Which South Dakota Sociology Program Has the Lowest Tuition?
Northern State University in Aberdeen has the lowest in-state tuition and fees on this list, at $8,845 for 2024–25. It ranks third overall.
Where Can I Compare Sociology Research Doctorates in South Dakota?
South Dakota State University is the ranked sociology research doctorate program on the South Dakota list. It reported 1 research doctorate in 2023–24. Read the doctoral program’s research areas and advisor information before you apply. Degree awards describe past graduates, not the size of the next entering cohort.
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.