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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in South Dakota

2 Colleges in the United States
$24,323 Avg Student Debt
$53,498 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Social Sciences Badge [Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social sciences education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for social sciences students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in South Dakota

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Social Sciences Schools

1

Our analysis ranked South Dakota State University the best value for a degree in social sciences in South Dakota. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Students borrow a median of $25,704 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $40,058 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,704 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of South Dakota came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,432, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. Students borrow a median of $22,942 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of South Dakota generally make around $36,860. That is a strong return on a $22,942 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.

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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 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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