2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in South Dakota
[General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general biology students.
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2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in South Dakota
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general biology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Biology Schools
Our analysis ranked Northern State University the best value for a degree in general biology in South Dakota. Set in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,845 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,947 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $25,300 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Northern State University earn a median of $45,824 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Black Hills State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #2 spot this year. Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Spearfish. Students from in state pay about $8,916 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Students borrow a median of $20,619 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Black Hills State University earn a median of $33,518 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,619 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
South Dakota State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $32,940. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of South Dakota one of the best values for general biology. University Of South Dakota is a large public school located in the town of Vermillion. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,432, compared with $12,942 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of South Dakota generally make around $30,167. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Rapid City, South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,500, while out-of-state students pay about $14,900. Students borrow a median of $26,668 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology earn a median of $75,838 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,668 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Sioux Falls earned the #6 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, University Of Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,750. Students borrow a median of $25,196 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Sioux Falls generally make around $46,229. Set against $25,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Sioux Falls admits about 83% of applicants.
Augustana College South Dakota landed the #7 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Sioux Falls, Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,160. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,000. General Biology graduates of Augustana College South Dakota earn a median of $50,088 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Augustana College South Dakota admits about 68% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
