Higher education in South Dakota

in  South Dakota

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* * *

Higher education

* * *

Enrollment statistics
Tuition statistics
Financial aid statistics
Retention rates
Graduation rates
Higher education funding

## Contents

* 1 Overview
* 1.1 Overview
* 1.2 State agencies
* 2 Admissions
* 2.1 Enrollment
* 2.2 Demographics
* 2.2.1 Enrollment by race and ethnicity
* 2.2.2 Enrollment by sex
* 2.3 Affirmative action
* 3 Student costs
* 3.1 In-state and private tuition
* 3.2 Out-of-state tuition
* 3.3 Financial aid
* 3.4 Student debt
* 4 Outcomes
* 4.1 Retention rates
* 4.2 Graduation rates
* 4.3 Study on college affordability and outcomes
* 5 Funding
* 5.1 Total state funding
* 5.2 Funding per student
* 6 Faculty
* 6.1 Faculty
* 6.2 Employment status
* 6.3 Salaries
* 6.4 Demographics
* 6.5 Recent news
* 6.6 See also
* 6.6.1 Higher education in the 50 states
* 6.7 Footnotes

South Dakota's higher education system is composed of 25 colleges and universities. Of these, 12 are public institutions, eight are nonprofit private schools, and five are for-profit private institutions.[1]

HIGHLIGHTS

* South Dakota had a 72 percent retention rate in the 2013-2014 school year.

* At public four-year colleges in South Dakota, 23.8 percent graduated within four years, while 50.5 percent graduated within six years.

* Appropriations per full-time student declined 13.2 percent from 2009 to 2013.

Higher education policy decisions can affect college access, the retention of students and the eventual completion of their degrees, student rights on campus, students' financial burden in the form of debt, and their employment prospects after graduation. Click on the tabs below to learn more about higher education in South Dakota.

# Overview[edit]

* * *

Overview
Total number of schools:

Public schools:

State agency:
South Dakota Board of Regents
Retention rate:
72%[2]
Graduation rate:
50.5%[3]
Average public in-state tuition:
$7,735
Total funding for public higher education:
$217,442,912
Funding per full-time student:
$4,878

* * *

* * *

Higher education in the United States • Education policy • Education policy in the United States • Public education in South Dakota

### Overview[edit]

Higher education policy refers to the decisions made by the federal government, state legislatures, higher education boards, and colleges and universities themselves. These decisions can affect how state funding is allocated, who sets tuition and at what level, campus resources available for academically struggling students, degrees and programs offered, and state financial aid eligibility and award amounts, as some examples. Higher education entities also set policies that manage campus environments, such as the prohibition or allowance of guns on campus and rules regarding free speech and student protests.[4]

Generally speaking, there are four types of postsecondary educational institutions in the United States:[5][6]

1. Public two-year institutions, which are most commonly known as community colleges, typically "award associate degrees in vocational fields [and] prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions." These schools are financed in large part with public funds. Sisseton Wahpeton College is an example of a public two-year institution in South Dakota.[5][6]
2. Public four-year colleges and universities award baccalaureate and/or graduate degrees. Traditionally, a distinction has been made between colleges and universities, with colleges awarding only four-year degrees and universities awarding both four-year and graduate-level degrees; however, these two terms are often used interchangeably today. Like their two-year counterparts, public four-year colleges and universities are financed largely with public funds. Dakota State University and Oglala Lakota College are examples of public four-year institutions in South Dakota.[5][6]
3. Private nonprofit institutions can vary dramatically in size, course offerings, and mission. These institutions do not receive public funding directly. Instead, private nonprofit schools are financed primarily by tuition, gifts, and endowments. These schools do not generate profit. University of Sioux Falls and Mount Marty College are examples of private nonprofit institutions in South Dakota.[5][6]
4. Private for-profit institutions typically specialize in vocational education. Like their nonprofit counterparts, these schools do not receive public funds. These mainly online universities generally serve older students and endeavor to generate profits. Examples in South Dakota include National American University and Globe University-Sioux Falls.[5][6]

The oldest postsecondary institution in South Dakota is Augustana College, a private and Christian-affiliated college located in Sioux Falls. Founded in 1860, Augustana College is a liberal arts school.[7]

As of July 2016, there were 12 public colleges and universities in South Dakota, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. These are listed in the table below.[1]

Public postsecondary institutions in South Dakota

School  |  Type
Black Hills State University | Four-year
Dakota State University | Four-year
Lake Area Technical Institute | Two-year
Mitchell Technical Institute | Two-year
Northern State University | Four-year
Oglala Lakota College | Four-year, primarily associate's
Sisseton Wahpeton College | Two-year
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology | Four-year
South Dakota State University | Four-year
Southeast Technical Institute | Two-year
University of South Dakota | Four-year
Western Dakota Technical Institute | Two-year
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, "College Navigator - South Dakota"

### State agencies[edit]

The South Dakota Board of Regents is the state's higher education agency. The board has the authority to manage the state's public higher education institutions through policy changes and financial aid programs. It also collects information that students and families can use to inform decisions regarding higher education.[8]

The statement below is taken directly from the board's website and summarizes its responsibilities.

“  | The South Dakota Board of Regents has constitutional authority to govern the system of public higher education in the State of South Dakota. Supported by an Executive Director and staff, the Board provides leadership and sets policies for the programs and services delivered through its six universities and two special schools.[9][10] |  ”

|
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# Admissions[edit]

### Enrollment[edit]

See also: Higher education enrollment statistics

According to the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, college enrollment typically rises during economic downturns and declines as the economy improves. In 2014, higher education enrollment nationwide was 8.6 percent higher than pre-recession levels in 2008. However, enrollment has been declining since 2012. Full-time enrollment in higher education institutions rose sharply following the recession before peaking in 2011 and then dropping off.[11]

College enrollment in South Dakota did not follow this trend; between 2012 and 2014, full-time enrollment increased from about 33,540 to about 33,677. In 2014, full-time college enrollment in South Dakota was 13.8 percent higher than in 2008. Click [show] on the green bar below the bar chart to view full-time public university enrollment in South Dakota as compared to surrounding states.

Full-time enrollment in public postsecondary institutions, FY 2008 to FY 2014

State  |  FY 2008 (pre-recession)  |  FY 2009  |  FY 2012  |  FY 2013  |  FY 2014  |  1-year change  |  5-year change  |  Change since recession
South Dakota |  29,595  |  31,027  |  33,540  |  32,945  |  33,677  |  2.2%  |  8.5%  |  13.8%
Minnesota |  196,014  |  200,732  |  214,055  |  210,546  |  204,046  |  -3.1%  |  1.7%  |  4.1%
Nebraska |  75,451  |  77,825  |  83,861  |  81,175  |  79,704  |  -1.8%  |  2.4%  |  5.6%
North Dakota |  34,955  |  36,408  |  37,503  |  37,122  |  36,927  |  -0.5%  |  1.4%  |  5.6%
United States |  10,254,148  |  10,721,466  |  11,563,321  |  11,288,232  |  11,137,541  |  -1.3%  |  3.9%  |  8.6%
Note: Full-time enrollment excludes medical students.[11]
Source: State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, "State Higher Education Finance: FY 2014"

### Demographics[edit]

#### Enrollment by race and ethnicity[edit]

In South Dakota, total enrollment--full-time and part-time--in all public and private higher education institutions amounted to 55,129 in fall 2013. About 81.8 percent of these students were white. American Indian/Alaska Native students comprised approximately 5.9 percent of the total postsecondary student population in South Dakota. During that time, 84.0 percent of the state's general population was white and 6.1 percent was American Indian/Alaska Native, with other ethnic groups comprising the remainder. The table below lists demographic information for both postsecondary students and the general population in South Dakota and surrounding states.[12]

Higher education enrollment by race/ethnicity, 2013

State  |  Population category  |  White  |  Black  |  Hispanic  |  Asian  |  Pacific Islander  |  American Indian/Alaska Native  |  Two or more races  |  Non-resident alien
South Dakota | Postsecondary students  |  81.8%  |  3.5%  |  2.7%  |  1.1%  |  0.2%  |  5.9%  |  2.2%  |  2.6%
General population  |  84.0%  |  3.6%  |  2.8%  |  1.1%  |  0.2%  |  6.1%  |  2.2%  |  N/A
Minnesota | Postsecondary students  |  69.7%  |  14.0%  |  4.5%  |  4.7%  |  0.1%  |  0.8%  |  3.0%  |  3.1%
General population  |  72.0%  |  14.4%  |  4.6%  |  4.8%  |  0.1%  |  0.8%  |  3.1%  |  N/A
Nebraska | Postsecondary students  |  78.4%  |  5.9%  |  7.1%  |  2.6%  |  0.2%  |  0.8%  |  1.8%  |  3.3%
General population  |  81.1%  |  6.1%  |  7.3%  |  2.6%  |  0.2%  |  0.8%  |  1.9%  |  N/A
North Dakota | Postsecondary students  |  81.1%  |  3.0%  |  2.6%  |  1.2%  |  0.1%  |  4.6%  |  2.0%  |  5.4%
General population  |  85.8%  |  3.2%  |  2.7%  |  1.2%  |  0.1%  |  4.9%  |  2.1%  |  N/A
United States |  Postsecondary students  |  56.9% | 14.1% | 15.2% | 5.9% | 0.3% | 0.8% | 2.7% | 4.1%
General population  |  59.3% | 14.7% | 15.8% | 6.1% | 0.3% | 0.8% | 2.9% | N/A
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 306.60. Fall enrollment in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by race/ethnicity of student and state or jurisdiction: 2013"

#### Enrollment by sex[edit]

In 2013, 56.1 percent of all postsecondary students in South Dakota were female, which was less than the national rate of 56.5 percent. The table below lists postsecondary student enrollment by sex in South Dakota and surrounding states.[13]

Higher education enrollment by sex, 2013

State  |  Total students  |  Male students  |  Percentage  |  Female students  |  Percentage
South Dakota |  55,129  |  24,196  |  43.9%  |  30,933  |  56.1%
Minnesota |  441,491  |  176,542  |  40.0%  |  264,949  |  60.0%
Nebraska |  137,943  |  61,423  |  44.5%  |  76,520  |  55.5%
North Dakota |  55,063  |  27,003  |  49.0%  |  28,060  |  51.0%
United States |  20,375,789 | 8,860,786 | 43.5% | 11,515,003 | 56.5%
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 304.30. Total fall enrollment in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by attendance status, sex, and state or jurisdiction: 2012 and 2013"

### Affirmative action[edit]

See also: Affirmative action and Affirmative action in South Dakota

Federal law requires government contractors and other departments and agencies receiving federal funding to develop and implement affirmative action plans for the hiring process. Public colleges and universities are considered federal contractors and must utilize affirmative action in their employment practices. However, many private and public colleges and universities across the country have also implemented similar measures in their admissions processes. These actions are typically voluntary, although a handful of states have adopted rules that require state universities to take affirmative action in admissions.[14][15][16]

Affirmative action admissions programs were undertaken by public and private universities alike, beginning in the late 1960s and 1970s. Some universities initially established quotas in order to achieve a demographically diverse student body; these quotas were outlawed by the United States Supreme Court in Regents of the University of California v. Bakke in 1978.[14][17]

Affirmative action can also take other forms, such as targeted outreach campaigns. Today, a common form of affirmative action in college admissions is that of racial preferences. A preference occurs when a group of applicants is more likely to be admitted than other applicants with similar or better qualifications due to other factors, such as race or ethnicity. Preferences are also sometimes extended towards women, athletes, and children of alumni. The use of racial preferences may be related to college selectivity: scholars such as law professor Richard Sander have found that preferences are strongest at elite institutions.[14][17][18][19]

Eight states have enacted laws banning the consideration of race in university admissions. As of March 2015, South Dakota was not one of these states. Of seven public four-year universities in South Dakota, one considers race in admissions, as indicated in the chart below.

Consideration of race at public four-year universities in South Dakota

School  |  Race/ethnicity is...  |  School selectivity*
Very important  | Important  | Considered  | Not considered
Black Hills State University |  |  |  |

| Less selective
Dakota State University |  |  |  |

| Less selective
Northern State University |  |  |  |

| Less selective
Oglala Lakota College |  N/A  |  Open admission
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology |  |  |  |

| Less selective
South Dakota State University |  |  |  |

| Less selective
University of South Dakota |  |  |

|  | Less selective
Sources: The College Board, "Big Future". Reproduced with permission.
CollegeData, "College 411"
*Note: This scale of college selectivity comes from The College Board and is measured as follows: Most selective, less than 25 percent admitted; Very selective, 25 percent to 50 percent admitted; Somewhat selective, 50 percent to 75 percent admitted; Less selective, more than 75 percent admitted; Open admission, all or most admitted.

Click [show] to learn more about the data

Information on which colleges consider race in admissions came from individual college profiles provided by two websites that aim to assist students in choosing a college: The College Board and CollegeData. Such information was reported to The College Board by the colleges themselves. Note that schools may have updated their policies since reporting them. To see the data:

1. College Board: Click the link to the college's profile provided in the table below. Click "Applying" on the side menu and scroll down. Listed will be several criteria of admission into the college, separated by importance. If Race/Ethnicity is not listed, it was not reported as considered by the college's admissions officers.
2. CollegeData: Click the link to the college's profile provided in the table below. Scroll down to the section titled "Selection of Students" to see a chart of admission criteria ranked from "Very Important" to "Not Considered."

|  Links to school profiles

School  |  School profiles  |  School  |  School profiles
College Board  | CollegeData  | College Board  | CollegeData
Black Hills State University  |  Link |  Link |  South Dakota School of Mines and Technology  |  Link |  Link
Dakota State University  |  Link |  Link |  South Dakota State University  |  Link |  Link
Northern State University  |  Link |  Link |  University of South Dakota  |  Link |  Link
Oglala Lakota College  |  Link |  Link |

# Student costs[edit]

See also: Higher education tuition statistics

### In-state and private tuition[edit]

Tuition accounts for just a portion of student costs; in many states, the cost of room and board equals or surpasses the cost of tuition at public universities. However, unlike room and board, tuition has risen much faster than inflation, increasing by 40 percent between the 2005-2006 and the 2015-2016 school years. The consumer price index increased by 21.5 percent over the same time period. Some studies suggest that universities have increased tuition as a response to state budget cuts, while others correlate rising tuition with the availability of financial aid.[20][21][22]

In the 2013-2014 academic year, the national average in-state cost for tuition and required fees at a public four-year school totaled $8,312. For a private four-year school, the average was $25,696. In South Dakota, these figures were lower: $7,735 and $20,114, respectively. Public university tuition in the state increased 44 percent between 2005-2006 and 2015-2016. The graph below displays average tuition prices in South Dakota as compared to the nationwide average for each year during that time. Hover over the points to view precise figures. The table below the graph compares 2013-2014 average annual tuition costs in South Dakota with those in surrounding states.[21][23]

Note: Discrepancies in data between the line graph and the table below are due to differing sources of information.

Higher education tuition and fees at 4-year institutions, 2013-2014 (in current dollars)

State  |  Public in-state  |  Private
2012-2013  |  2013-2014  |  Percent change  |  2012-2013  |  2013-2014  |  Percent change
South Dakota |  $7,413  |  $7,735  |  4.3%  |  $18,843  |  $20,114  |  6.7%
Minnesota |  $10,291  |  $10,355  |  0.6%  |  $26,499  |  $27,104  |  2.3%
Nebraska |  $7,023  |  $7,081  |  0.8%  |  $19,478  |  $19,832  |  1.8%
North Dakota |  $6,572  |  $6,824  |  3.8%  |  $12,318  |  $12,408  |  0.7%
United States |  $8,070 | $8,312 | 3.0% | $24,525 | $25,696 | 4.8%
Note: Dollar figures do not account for differences in the cost of living between states. Learn more here.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 330.20. Average undergraduate tuition and fees and room and board rates charged for full-time students in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by control and level of institution and state or jurisdiction: 2012-13 and 2013-14"

### Out-of-state tuition[edit]

See also: Higher education tuition statistics

Public postsecondary schools receive some of their funding from their state's government. This money in turn comes from taxation of the state's residents. Since neither out-of-state students nor their parents paid that state's taxes, the schools charge these students additional tuition to account for the difference. This additional charge is a significant increase over in-state tuition in all 50 states. In the 2013-2014 school year, out-of-state students nationwide paid an average of $22,603 in annual tuition and required fees, 272 percent higher than the in-state average of $8,312.[21]

Students attending public postsecondary institutions in South Dakota from outside of the state were required to pay an average of $10,201, a 132 percent difference over the average in-state tuition of $7,735. The average out-of-state tuition price for South Dakota was lower than the national average by about $12,402. The table below compares in-state and out-of-state tuition figures for South Dakota with those of surrounding states.

Average annual in-state and out-of-state tuition and required fees, 2013-2014

State  |  Average in-state tuition  |  Average out-of-state tuition  |  Percent difference
South Dakota |  $7,735  |  $10,201  |  132%
Minnesota |  $10,355  |  $16,915  |  163%
Nebraska |  $7,081  |  $16,734  |  236%
North Dakota |  $6,824  |  $16,753  |  246%
United States | $8,312 | $22,603 | 272%
Note: Dollar figures do not account for differences in the cost of living between states. Learn more here.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 330.20. Average undergraduate tuition and fees and room and board rates charged for full-time students in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by control and level of institution and state or jurisdiction: 2012-13 and 2013-14"

### Financial aid[edit]

See also: Higher education financial aid statistics

The federal government provides financial aid to undergraduate students in the form of grants and loans. Notable grants administered by the United States government include Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG). Loan programs administered by the federal government include the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program and Federal Perkins Loan Program. Perkins Loans have an interest rate of 5 percent, while Direct Loans have interest rates that vary based on the date of disbursement and the loan type: loans disbursed between July 1, 2014, and July 1, 2017, have interest rates ranging from 3.76 percent to 7.21 percent. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the average default rate on Perkins Loans was 11.8 percent for borrowers who entered into repayment in 2012; the rate reflects borrowers who defaulted prior to September 30, 2014. This is compared to average default rates of 7.2 percent on home loans and 2.23 percent on credit card loans in 2014.[24][25][26][27][28][29]

In addition, colleges and universities often offer institution-specific financial aid to their students, and individual states may also administer student financial aid programs. According to the National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs, the states disbursed approximately $11.7 billion in state-based financial aid to postsecondary students in the 2013-2014 academic year. This represented about 5 percent of all financial aid provided to undergraduate students, according to The College Board. South Dakota awarded $5.27 million in state-based financial aid during that time. The table below provides state-based aid figures for South Dakota and surrounding states in 2013-2014.[30][31]

Total state-based financial aid, 2013-2014 (in millions)

State  |  Need-based grant aid  |  Non-need-based grant aid  |  Non-grant aid  |  Total
South Dakota |  $0.2  |  $4.51  |  $0.57  |  $5.27
Minnesota |  $180.23  |  $1.46  |  $74.19  |  $255.88
Nebraska |  $17.34  |  \-  |  $107.72  |  $125.06
North Dakota |  $9.94  |  $8.45  |  $1.51  |  $19.89
United States |  $7,491.27 | $2,446.92 | $1,756.51 | $11,694.70
Note: Dollar figures do not account for differences in the cost of living between states. Learn more here.
Source: National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs, "45th Annual Survey Report on State-Sponsored Student Financial Aid"

### Student debt[edit]

See also: Student debt in higher education in the United States

Student debt is a major concern for both parents and students. According to the Institute for College Access and Success, in school year 2013-2014, an average of 62 percent of all students nationwide graduated with debt at an average of about $27,779 per borrower. The state with the lowest average debt held by students was Utah, where average student debt was about $18,921. Conversely, students who graduated from colleges and universities in Delaware held an average of about $33,808 in debt, the highest in the country.[32][33]

During the 2013-2014 school year, about 69 percent of postsecondary students at both public and private schools in South Dakota graduated with debt. Average debt held amounted to about $26,023, ranking 31st highest in the country. The table below compares the average student debt, percentage of graduates with debt, and national rankings of South Dakota and surrounding states.

Average student debt and percentage of graduates with debt, 2013-2014

State  |  Average debt  |  National rank  |  Percentage with debt  |  National rank
South Dakota |  $26,023  |  31  |  69%  |  7
Minnesota |  $31,579  |  5  |  70%  |  4
Nebraska |  $26,278  |  26  |  63%  |  19
North Dakota |  N/A  |  |  N/A  |
United States | $27,779 | \-- | 62% | \--
Source: CollegeInSight, "Explore All Data"

While tuition for private schools is typically higher than that of public schools, debt does not always follow this same pattern. The Institute for College Access and Success analyzed data on student debt held by graduates of public and private schools. They found that in the 2013-2014 school year, about 60 percent of students nationwide who graduated from a public institution had debt, which averaged about $25,665 per borrower. For private schools, they found that approximately 65 percent of students graduated with an average of $28,498 in debt. However, in some states, such as New Hampshire, students on average graduated from private schools with less debt than those who graduated from public schools.[32][33]

During the 2013-2014 school year, about 67 percent of graduates from South Dakota's public schools graduated with an average of $24,414 in debt. About 81 percent of private school students graduated with an average of $34,472 in debt. As this data shows, students who graduated from public schools during this year had less debt on average than those who graduated from private schools. The table below compares these statistics for South Dakota with those of its surrounding states.

Average student debt from public and private colleges, 2013-2014

State  |  Public in-state institution  |  Private institution
Average debt  |  Percent of graduates with debt  |  Average debt  |  Percent of graduates with debt
South Dakota |  $24,414  |  67%  |  $34,472  |  81%
Minnesota |  $29,800  |  69%  |  $34,665  |  73%
Nebraska |  $24,599  |  61%  |  $31,163  |  70%
North Dakota |  N/A  |  N/A  |  N/A  |  N/A
United States | $25,902 | 60% | $29,657 | 64%
Source: CollegeInSight, "Explore All Data"

# Outcomes[edit]

### Retention rates[edit]

See also: Higher education retention rates

Retention rates indicate the percentage of freshmen postsecondary students who enroll the following academic year as sophomores. According to the NCHEMS Information Center for Higher Education Policymaking and Analysis:[34]

“  |  Students are more likely to drop out of postsecondary education during the first year than any other time. If a state can implement policies that help to increase retention rates either within institutions or through transfer, the likelihood of students persisting to graduation is far greater.[34][10] |  ”

|
|

—NCHEMS Information Center for Higher Education Policymaking and Analysis

Compared to neighboring states, South Dakota had the highest total retention rate in the 2013-2014 school year at 72 percent. The table below compares retention rates in South Dakota and surrounding states.[35]

Higher education retention rates, 2013-2014

State  |  Total  |  Public  |  Private nonprofit  |  Private for-profit
2-year  |  4-year  |  2-year  |  4-year  |  2-year  |  4-year
South Dakota |  72%  |  68%  |  72%  |  33%  |  72%  |  86%  |  77%
Minnesota |  71%  |  56%  |  79%  |  67%  |  85%  |  78%  |  52%
Nebraska |  70%  |  56%  |  78%  |  27%  |  76%  |  76%  |  76%
North Dakota |  70%  |  57%  |  75%  |  N/A  |  65%  |  82%  |  0%
United States |  71% | 60% | 79% | 62% | 80% | 68% | 54%
Source: CollegeInSight, "Explore All Data"

### Graduation rates[edit]

See also: Higher education graduation rates

The table below, built from data compiled by The Chronicle of Higher Education, details graduation rates for South Dakota and surrounding states. Although postsecondary schools are classified as four-year and two-year institutions, relatively few students actually complete degrees within these time frames. At four-year schools, students commonly take between four and six years to complete their degrees. Likewise, students at two-year institutions commonly take three years to complete their degrees. To illustrate this point, both four-year and six-year graduation rates are provided in the table below (only three-year rates are provided for two-year institutions, owing to a lack of information regarding two-year completion rates).[36]

At public four-year colleges in South Dakota, 23.8 percent graduated within four years, while 50.5 percent graduated within six years. These figures were lower than in all neighboring states except North Dakota. About 51.2 percent of South Dakota students at public two-year colleges graduated within three years; this figure was higher than in neighboring states.[37]

Graduation rates by state, 2013

State  |  Four-year institutions  |  Two-year institutions
Completion within four years  |  Completion within six years  |  Completion within three years
Public  |  Private nonprofit  |  Private for-profit  |  Public  |  Private nonprofit  |  Private for-profit  |  Public  |  Private for-profit
South Dakota |  23.8%  |  40.8%  |  7.3%  |  50.5%  |  53.5%  |  10.9%  |  51.2%  |  N/A
Minnesota |  34.2%  |  62.6%  |  27.2%  |  58.6%  |  72.6%  |  35.8%  |  25.3%  |  66.3%
Nebraska |  25.7%  |  48.5%  |  25.0%  |  56.2%  |  61.5%  |  25.0%  |  27.0%  |  40.2%
North Dakota |  23.3%  |  29.8%  |  14.3%  |  50.3%  |  48.5%  |  14.3%  |  40.9%  |  N/A
United States |  33.3% | 52.8% | 23.3% | 57.6% | 65.4% | 33.2% | 19.4% | 63.1%
Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education, "Graduation rates by state"

### Study on college affordability and outcomes[edit]

College affordability and student debt have become major issues in higher education policy, particularly since the 2008 recession. The College Affordability Guide is an organization that evaluates colleges for their value, which is defined as providing a high-quality education that is affordable "not only for the average student, but for lower-income students as well." According to the College Affordability Guide, there are eight colleges in South Dakota that provide high-quality education at an affordable price. The College Affordability Guide's rankings consider a number of factors and are based on the idea that income-appropriate tuition, completing one's studies, and being able to pay back one's loans are the key elements of a worthwhile college experience. Colleges considered the best value by the guide meet the following criteria:[38]

* Tuition at an average net price of $15,000 per year or less after financial aid for families making $48,000 per year or less
* At least 50 percent of students graduate or transfer
* At least 50 percent of students are actively paying down student loan debt three years after graduation

Additionally, all colleges considered are not-for-profit, offer associate or higher degrees, and have at least one non-standard way for students to earn college credits, such as AP or CLEP credit. The table below lists the colleges in South Dakota that the College Affordability Guide considers to be the best value. The colleges are in no particular order. Full rankings and descriptions of the colleges can be found here.

Most affordable colleges in South Dakota, 2016

College  |  Average net price  |  Percent of students graduating or transferring  |  Percent of students repaying loans
Dakota State University  |  $11,000  |  79.0%  |  84.0%
Lake Area Technical Institute  |  $9,000  |  73.0%  |  86.6%
Mitchell Technical Institute  |  $7,000  |  72.0%  |  78.9%
Northern State University  |  $11,000  |  76.0%  |  80.9%
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology  |  $14,000  |  54.0%  |  91.2%
South Dakota State University  |  $13,000  |  57.0%  |  90.5%
Southeast Technical Institute  |  $11,000  |  52.0%  |  77.8%
University of South Dakota  |  $13,000  |  90.0%  |  85.0%
Source: College Affordability Guide, "2016 Most Affordable Colleges in South Dakota"

# Funding[edit]

### Total state funding[edit]

See also: Higher education funding and South Dakota state budget and finances

Higher education funding mechanisms differ depending on the type of institution. Public colleges receive the lion's share of their funding from state and local governments. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, state and local appropriations accounted for 53 percent of higher education revenues nationwide in 2013. By contrast, private institutions do not receive direct government funding. Instead, these institutions rely primarily on tuition, gifts, and endowments.[39][40]

The 2008 recession led to decreased public higher education funding as college enrollment increased:

“  | By 2012, the tuition revenues collected by public universities in 20 states covered more educational costs than did state-provided dollars.[10] |  ”

|
|

—Texas Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education[41]

While there have been moderate increases in state allocations between 2012 and 2015, the average amount of spending "is still 15 percent less, per student, than before the economic downturn," according to a study by the State Higher Education Executive Offices (SHEEO).[42]

According to Grapevine, which is published by Illinois State University's Center for the Study of Education Policy and SHEEO, financial support for public higher education in South Dakota totaled $217 million in fiscal year 2015, a 10.8 percent increase over fiscal year 2013. The table below lists higher education fiscal support figures for South Dakota and surrounding states.[43]

State funding for higher education

State  |  Fiscal year 2013  |  Fiscal year 2014  |  Fiscal year 2015  |  Percent change
South Dakota |  $196,229,662  |  $207,837,626  |  $217,442,912  |  10.8%
Minnesota |  $1,285,247,000  |  $1,394,503,000  |  $1,445,822,000  |  12.5%
Nebraska |  $659,571,367  |  $688,173,035  |  $717,198,058  |  8.7%
North Dakota |  $343,805,783  |  $409,693,640  |  $409,693,640  |  19.2%
United States |  $72,493,483,464 | $76,950,508,609 | $80,973,621,292 | 11.7%
Note: Dollar figures do not account for differences in the cost of living between states. Learn more here.
Source: Grapevine, "Table 1: State Fiscal Support for Higher Education, by State, Fiscal Years 2009-10, 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15"

### Funding per student[edit]

According to the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, average adjusted public postsecondary appropriations per full-time student declined 13.3 percent from fiscal year 2009 to 2013 on average in the United States. In South Dakota, appropriations per full-time student declined 13.2 percent during that same period. The table below lists adjusted public higher education appropriations per full-time student for South Dakota and surrounding states in fiscal years 2009, 2013, and 2014.[11]

Public higher education appropriations per full-time student (in constant 2014 dollars)

State  |  Fiscal year 2009  |  Fiscal year 2013  |  Fiscal year 2014  |  1 year change  |  5 year change  |  Change since recession
South Dakota |  $5,618  |  $4,872  |  $4,878  |  0.1%  |  -13.2%  |  -19.2%
Minnesota |  $6,680  |  $4,814  |  $5,327  |  10.7%  |  -20.2%  |  -24.0%
Nebraska |  $7,976  |  $7,503  |  $7,840  |  4.5%  |  -1.7%  |  -5.5%
North Dakota |  $5,420  |  $6,688  |  $7,888  |  17.9%  |  45.5%  |  37.5%
United States |  $7,553 | $6,215 | $6,552 | 5.4% | -13.3% | -18.9%
Notes: "Educational appropriations are a measure of state and local support available for public higher education operating expenses including ARRA funds, and exclude appropriations for independent institutions, financial aid for students attending independent institutions, research, hospitals, and medical education."
"Adjustment factors, to arrive at constant dollar figures, include Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), Enrollment Mix Index (EMI), and Higher Education Cost Adjustment (HECA). The Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is not a measure of inflation over time."
Source: State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, "State Higher Education Finance: FY 2014"

# Faculty[edit]

### Faculty[edit]

See also: Higher education faculty statistics

Across the country, as student enrollment at postsecondary institutions has changed, so has the faculty. To meet rising demand, the number of faculty increased nationwide by just over 55 percent, from 515,684 to 800,611, between the 1993-1994 and 2013-2014 school years. In South Dakota, the total number of faculty rose from 2,199 to 3,083. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the college faculty profession has one of the fastest growth rates in the nation and will see a 19 percent increase in jobs between 2012 and 2022.[44][45][46]

### Employment status[edit]

Employment of faculty at four-year public institutions in South Dakota

While the total number of faculty at public colleges and universities continued to rise over the previous two decades, the portion of faculty who work part time rose more quickly. By the mid-1990s, part-time faculty comprised over half of total instructional faculty, a figure which continued to increase before leveling off in 2013. In the 2013-2014 school year, just over 55 percent of instructional faculty nationwide worked part time. The number of part-time faculty, including teaching and research assistants, outnumbered full-time faculty in all but 11 states. The number of teaching and research assistants alone outnumbered full-time faculty in five states. South Dakota was not one of these states. According to the Southern Regional Education Board,[44][45]

“  | The fact that part-time faculty and teaching/research assistants are a majority of the instructional staff does not mean they do a majority of the instruction, because part-time faculty members and teaching/research assistants typically do not teach as many classes as full-time faculty members. Part-time faculty members generally do not have campus committee assignments or participate in student activities.[10] |  ”

|
|

—Southern Regional Education Board[44]

In South Dakota, the percentage of all part-time faculty, including graduate assistants, increased from 36.3 percent to 50.4 percent between the 1993-1994 and 2013-2014 school years. Below is a table that provides figures on full-time and part-time faculty employment in South Dakota as compared to surrounding states.[45]

Employment status of instructional faculty at public four-year institutions

State  |  1993-1994  |  2013-2014
Full time faculty  |  Part time faculty  |  Graduate assistants  |  Part-time total as a percent of all faculty*  |  Full time faculty  |  Part time faculty  |  Graduate assistants  |  Part-time total as a percent of all faculty*
South Dakota |  1,400  |  249  |  550  |  36.3%  |  1,530  |  487  |  1,066  |  50.4%
Minnesota |  5,277  |  761  |  5,447  |  54.1%  |  7,429  |  3,275  |  6,359  |  56.5%
Nebraska |  2,448  |  695  |  325  |  29.4%  |  2,809  |  972  |  2,358  |  54.2%
North Dakota |  1,792  |  362  |  833  |  40.0%  |  2,017  |  300  |  1,454  |  46.5%
United States |  265,469 | 83,579 | 166,636 | 48.5% | 359,586 | 163,962 | 277,063 | 55.1%
*"Part-time total" includes teaching and research assistants, who also work part time.
Source: Southern Regional Education Board, "Fact Book Tables"

### Salaries[edit]

According to the Southern Regional Education Board, although the salaries of full-time faculty at public four-year institutions are higher than the those of the average American worker, their growth has not kept pace with the average rate of salary increases across all professions. However, salary growth at private institutions has outpaced the national average rate. From the 2008-2009 to the 2013-2014 school years, the average salary for full-time instructional faculty at public four-year institutions nationwide rose from $76,009 to $79,293. In South Dakota, the average salary increased from $60,796 to $66,662. The table below provides faculty salary information for the school years 2008-2009 and 2013-2014 for South Dakota and surrounding states. Dollar figures have not been adjusted for inflation.[45]

Average salaries of full-time instructional faculty at public four-year institutions, 2013-2014

State  |  Average salary 2008-2009  |  Average salary 2013-2014  |  Percent change  |  Inflation-adjusted percent change
South Dakota |  $60,796  |  $66,662  |  9.6%  |  -4.5%
Minnesota |  $78,491  |  $83,870  |  6.9%  |  -4.9%
Nebraska |  $73,200  |  $79,670  |  8.8%  |  -1.5%
North Dakota |  $59,073  |  $69,528  |  17.7%  |  6.6%
United States | $76,009 | $79,293 | 4.3% | -1.5%
Note: Dollar figures do not account for differences in the cost of living between states. Learn more here.
Source: Southern Regional Education Board, "Fact Book Tables"

### Demographics[edit]

Over the previous two decades, the proportions of female, black, and Hispanic faculty members at public colleges and universities nationwide increased to reach their highest levels ever in the 2013-2014 school year. In South Dakota, 45.5 percent of full-time college faculty were female, 0.7 percent were black, and 1.7 percent were Hispanic. Female, black, and Hispanic representation in college faculty at that time was higher than in the 1993-1994 school year. However, it still fell below the proportions of both the general and college student populations who were female, black, and Hispanic. Click [show] on the green bar below the pie charts to view demographic information for full-time faculty at public four-year colleges and universities in South Dakota from the 1993-1994 to the 2013-2014 school years. For this reason, the pie chart displays a different figure for 'Other' than the table.

|

Demographics of full-time faculty at public four-year colleges and universities

State  | Year  | Total full-time faculty  | Percent men  | Percent women  | Percent white  | Percent black  | Percent Hispanic  | Percent other*
South Dakota | 1993-1994  |  1,400  |  70.0%  |  30.0%  |  93.2%  |  0.4%  |  0.9%  |  5.6%
2013-2014  |  1,530  |  54.5%  |  45.5%  |  88.0%  |  0.7%  |  1.7%  |  9.5%
Minnesota | 1993-1994  |  5,277  |  72.7%  |  27.3%  |  93.4%  |  1.5%  |  0.9%  |  4.2%
2013-2014  |  7,429  |  58.6%  |  41.4%  |  80.7%  |  2.5%  |  3.3%  |  13.1%
Nebraska | 1993-1994  |  2,448  |  73.7%  |  26.3%  |  94.8%  |  1.2%  |  1.0%  |  3.0%
2013-2014  |  2,809  |  59.8%  |  40.2%  |  84.9%  |  2.5%  |  3.2%  |  9.1%
North Dakota | 1993-1994  |  1,792  |  73.4%  |  26.6%  |  94.1%  |  0.2%  |  0.5%  |  5.2%
2013-2014  |  2,017  |  56.5%  |  43.5%  |  88.2%  |  1.3%  |  1.1%  |  9.0%
United States |  1993-94  |  265,685 | 70.2% | 29.8% | 87.1% | 4.8% | 2.2% | 6.0%
2013-2014  |  359,586 | 57.7% | 42.3% | 77.9% | 5.4% | 4.3% | 11.8%
*Represents Asian/Pacific Islanders and American Indian/Alaskan Native
Source: Southern Regional Education Board, "Fact Book Tables"

## Recent news[edit]

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms South Dakota higher education. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

Higher education in South Dakota - Google News

## See also[edit]

* Public education in South Dakota
* South Dakota state budget and finances
* Historical higher education information in South Dakota

### Higher education in the 50 states[edit]

Click on a state below to read more about higher education in that state.

Choose your state...AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington, D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

http://ballotpedia.org/Higher_education_in_STATE

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 National Center for Education Statistics, "College Navigator - South Dakota," accessed July 12, 2016
2. ↑ Note: This indicates the retention rate for all postsecondary students, both full-time and part-time.
3. ↑ Note: This indicates the percentage of students who graduated from a public four-year institution within six years.
4. ↑ American Association of State Colleges and Universities, "Top 10 Higher Education State Policy Issues for 2013," January 2013
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 American Council on Education, "An Overview of Higher Education in the United States: Diversity, Access, and the Role of the Marketplace," accessed December 16, 2014
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 U.S. News and World Report, "U.S. Higher Education Glossary," August 15, 2011 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "USnews" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "USnews" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "USnews" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "USnews" defined multiple times with different content
7. ↑ Augustana College, "About," accessed January 3, 2015
8. ↑ South Dakota Board of Regents, "The board," accessed January 3, 2015
9. ↑ South Dakota Board of Regents, "The board," accessed January 6, 2015
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, "State Higher Education Finance: FY 2014," accessed July 11, 2016
12. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 306.60. Fall enrollment in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by race/ethnicity of student and state or jurisdiction: 2013," accessed July 11, 2016
13. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 304.30. Total fall enrollment in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by attendance status, sex, and state or jurisdiction: 2012 and 2013," accessed July 11, 2016
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Miller Center of Public Affairs, "Affirmative Action: Race or Class?" accessed February 10, 2015
15. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Affirmative Action | Overview," February 7, 2015
16. ↑ Higher Ed Jobs, "Facts and Myths of Affirmative Action," accessed March 25, 2015
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 PBS, "Challenging Race Sensitive Admissions Policies," May 19, 2015
18. ↑ Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, "Affirmative Action," September 17, 2013
19. ↑ Sander, R. & Taylor S. (2012). Mismatch: How Affirmative Action Hurts Students It's Intended to Help, and Why Universities Won't Admit It. Basic Books.
20. ↑ The Huffington Post, "Obama Wants To Permanently Link Pell Grants To Inflation," February 11, 2016
21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 330.20. Average undergraduate tuition and fees and room and board rates charged for full-time students in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by control and level of institution and state or jurisdiction: 2012-13 and 2013-14," accessed July 12, 2016
22. ↑ The College Board, "Tuition and Fees and Room and Board over Time, 2005-06 to 2015-16," accessed July 12, 2016
23. ↑ The College Board, "Tuition and Fees by Sector and State over Time," accessed July 12, 2016
24. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Fast Facts - Financial aid," accessed December 18, 2014
25. ↑ Federal Student Aid: An Office of the U.S. Department of Education, "Grants and Scholarships," accessed December 18, 2014
26. ↑ Federal Student Aid: An Office of the U.S. Department of Education, "Loans," accessed December 18, 2014
27. ↑ Credible, "What are average student loan interest rates?" June 29, 2016
28. ↑ Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, "Charge-Off and Delinquency Rates on Loans and Leases at Commercial Banks," May 18, 2016
29. ↑ Federal Student Aid, "Three-year Official Cohort Default Rates for Schools," September 30, 2015
30. ↑ National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs, "45th Annual Survey Report on State-Sponsored Student Financial Aid," accessed July 12, 2016 (Click on "45th Annual Survey" and "NASSGAP Survey Report 13-14" to access this report.)
31. ↑ The College Board, "Trends in Student Aid," accessed June 30, 2016 (Click on the dropdown menu under "Trends in Student Aid Report Archive" and select 2014 to access this report)
32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 CollegeInSight, "Explore All Data," accessed July 12, 2016
33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 CollegeInSight, "Student Debt of Graduating Seniors," accessed July 12, 2016
34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 NCHEMS Information Center for Higher Education Policymaking and Analysis, "Retention Rates - First-Time College Freshmen Returning Their Second Year," accessed December 15, 2014
35. ↑ CollegeInSight, "Explore All Data," accessed July 12, 2016
36. ↑ The Chronicle of Higher Education, "College Completion: Who graduates from college, who doesn't, and why it matters," accessed December 15, 2014
37. ↑ The Chronicle of Higher Education, "Graduation rates by state," accessed July 12, 2016
38. ↑ College Affordability Guide, "2016 Most Affordable Colleges in South Dakota," accessed August 17, 2016
39. ↑ Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, "States Are Still Funding Higher Education Below Pre-Recession Levels," May 1, 2014
40. ↑ Business Insider, "Public Vs. Private College: Which Is Better For Your Wallet?" May 22, 2013
41. ↑ Texas Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education, "Top 10 Higher Education State Policy Issues for 2013," January 9, 2013
42. ↑ The Chronicle of Higher Education, "State Higher-Education Spending Is Up, but Not Above Pre-Recession Level," April 27, 2016
43. ↑ Grapevine, "Table 1: State Fiscal Support for Higher Education, by State, Fiscal Years 2009-10, 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15," accessed July 12, 2016
44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 Southern Regional Education Board, "Fact Book on Higher Education, 2013," accessed January 14, 2015
45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 45.2 45.3 Southern Regional Education Board, "Fact Book Tables," accessed July 12, 2016
46. ↑ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, "Occupational Outlook Handbook, Postsecondary Teachers," accessed January 15, 2015

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