ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Biology Schools in South Dakota

6 Colleges in the United States
356 General Biology Degrees Awarded
$44,943 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Biology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general biology students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 3
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 26.01), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Biotechnology (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Biotechnology (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 0
DEBUG: No relevant offers, showing generic ESYOH widget

Best Schools for General Biology in South Dakota

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general biology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in General Biology

1

Our analysis ranked University Of South Dakota the best school in the country for a degree in general biology. Located in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public university. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 93 general biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Dakota in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of University Of South Dakota earn a median of $30,167 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general biology from University Of South Dakota

2

Augustana College South Dakota is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Sioux Falls, Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Augustana College South Dakota graduates 73% of students within six years. About 47 general biology degrees were awarded at Augustana College South Dakota in the most recent year. Students who receive their general biology degree from Augustana College South Dakota earn around $50,088 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the general biology program at Augustana College South Dakota

3

Students looking for a strong general biology program will find one at South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology, which ranked #3. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Rapid City. About 52% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 general biology students who graduated with this degree at South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $75,838 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,668 to complete this degree. See the full general biology program report for South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Sioux Falls one of the top schools for general biology. University Of Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux Falls. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. University Of Sioux Falls awarded about 11 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Sioux Falls generally make around $46,229. Typical student debt for the program is $25,196. Get the full general biology details for University Of Sioux Falls

5

South Dakota State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best general biology schools. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. South Dakota State University awarded about 125 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $32,940. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in general biology from South Dakota State University

6

Northern State University landed the #6 spot for general biology this year. Set in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Northern State University awarded about 32 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from Northern State University earn around $45,824 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,300 to complete this degree. See the full general biology program report for Northern State University

7

Black Hills State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best general biology schools. Set in the town of Spearfish, Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 37 general biology degrees were awarded at Black Hills State University in the most recent year. General Biology graduates of Black Hills State University earn a median of $33,518 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,619 to complete this degree. Get the full general biology details for Black Hills State University

ADBLOCK #173
View All General Biology Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 10 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options