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Best Online and Campus Psychology Schools in South Dakota

This comprehensive guide to psychology schools in South Dakota highlights key insights into undergraduate and graduate programs, offering valuable information to support your educational journey.

Table of Contents

South Dakota Psychology School Facts
Top-Ranked Psychology Programs
Top 6 Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs
Graduate Psychology Program Comparison
Related Articles

South Dakota Psychology School Facts


Nationally Ranked Top Psychology Programs in South Dakota

Our curated list of third-party and proprietary rankings can be useful in measuring the overall value and reputation of a program. Note if one of these lists is not present below, no schools in the state were named on it. Generally, schools and programs ranked on multiple lists tend to be stronger in academic quality.

Schools Ranked on Multiple Lists

  • Augustana University
  • Mount Marty University
  • Northern State University
  • South Dakota State University
  • University of Sioux Falls
  • University of South Dakota

College Factual’s Best Psychology Schools 2024

  • University of South Dakota (#140)2

The Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Psychology Majors 2024

  • University of South Dakota4

Most Affordable Schools With a Bachelor’s in Psychology

The following South Dakota schools with bachelor’s degrees in psychology have the lowest average net prices. Please note that we grouped regional campuses together and included a range for the net price of these schools. We have included each school’s graduation rate, a key quality metric.

  • Black Hills State University ($16,474 / Grad rate: 39%)
  • Northern State University ($16,873 / Grad rate: 52%)
  • South Dakota State University ($18,233 / Grad rate: 60%)
  • University of South Dakota ($18,466 / Grad rate: 61%)
  • University of Sioux Falls ($21,049 / Grad rate: 61%)
  • Dakota Wesleyan University ($21,901 / Grad rate: 46%)
  • Mount Marty University ($23,163 / Grad rate: 61%)
  • Augustana University ($25,280 / Grad rate: 76%)1

Top 6 Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs in South Dakota

This table compares the top 6 bachelor’s in psychology programs from not-for-profit schools in South Dakota based on a graduation rate above 50% and an annual net price of $26,000 or below. A high graduation rate is a top indicator of student success, and affordability is a key consideration for prospective undergrad students. Programs in bold text offer hybrid or online options.

SchoolGrad Rate*1Accept Rate1Median Debt*6Median Earnings*6Full Price In State1Full Price Out of State1Net Price*1
Northern State University52%93%$22,320$44,493$17,995$21,097$16,873
South Dakota State University60%99%$23,250$52,198$17,386$20,896$18,233
University of South Dakota61%99%$23,592$49,034$17,656$21,166$18,466
University of Sioux Falls61%82%$23,249$50,391$28,380$28,380$21,049
Mount Marty University61%48%$26,396$44,448$40,350$40,350$23,163
Augustana University76%59%$25,000$53,641$46,490$46,490$25,280

*See Table Notes at bottom of page.

Comparison of All Graduate Psychology Programs in South Dakota

This table compares all of South Dakota’s graduate-level psychology programs from not-for-profit schools on multiple factors.

We’ve included accreditation status by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC), and the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). We also highlight the levels offered, 2020-2022 pass rates for the Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP), and tuition information. Note EPPP scores are reported by degree type (clinical, counseling, or school psychology) and level (PhD or PsyD), so some schools may be listed more than once to include all pass rates. Schools in bold text offer hybrid or online options. Tuition per credit hour is more relevant for master’s and PsyD programs due to the fact that PhD students typically receive more program-awarded funding.

SchoolAccreditation7-10Levels OfferedEPPP Pass Rate 2020-2211EPPP # Taking 2020-2211Grad Tuition Per Credit Hour
Sinte Gleska UniversityMA$200
University of South DakotaAPA, NASPMA, EdS, PhD100%12$340

*Table Notes:
-Metrics are institution-wide unless otherwise noted.
-Graduation rate is completion percentage within six years of start.
-Median (average) debt is cumulative federal loan debt for undergraduate completers in 2020-2021.
-Median earnings are from the 2020-2021 cohort 10 years post school entry.
-Net price is the average yearly price paid by full-time, first-year undergraduate students receiving financial aid. See NCES for more in-depth information.

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. College Factual, Best Colleges Offering Degrees in Psychology (Nationwide): https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/psychology/rankings/top-ranked/#
3. Psychology Degree 411 Top Schools With Online Psychology Programs: https://www.psychologydegree411.com/degrees/online/
4. The Princeton Review. The Best 388 Colleges, 2023 Edition. The Princeton Review, 2022.
5. Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 – Psychology: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2023/subject-ranking/psychology
6. Department of Education College Scorecard: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
7. American Psychological Association Accredited Programs: https://accreditation.apa.org/accredited-programs
8. Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs, Directory: https://www.cacrep.org/directory/
9. Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council Accredited Programs: https://mpcacaccreditation.org/accredited-programs/
10. National Association for School Psychologists, Approved Programs: https://apps.nasponline.org/standards-and-certification/graduate-program-approval-and-accreditation/approved-accredited.aspx
11. The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards, 2023 Psychology Licensing Exam Scores by Doctoral Program: https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.asppb.net/resource/resmgr/eppp_/2023_dr_rpt_012024.pdf