Educational Attainment
In South Dakota, 92.8% of adults hold a high school diploma and 31.0% hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 35.0%.
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year (FRED GCT1502SD).
| Indicator | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or higher (%) | 31 | 35 |
- •Over 92% of South Dakota adults have completed high school.
Schools
South Dakota has more than 700 public schools serving communities across the state, including in rural and tribal areas.
Public schools reporting teachers
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
Public school enrollment (K-12)
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
| Indicator | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Number of public schools | 700 | 98000 |
- •Many South Dakota schools serve small, rural, and tribal communities.
Universities
South Dakota is home to major public universities including South Dakota State University, the University of South Dakota, and South Dakota Mines.
College and graduate school students
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, undergraduate + graduate/professional, B14001 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or higher (%) | 31 | 35 |
- •South Dakota Mines specializes in engineering and applied science education.
Graduation Rates
South Dakota's high school graduation rate is 84%, slightly below the national average, reflecting varied outcomes across urban and rural districts.
Adults 25+ with a high school diploma or higher
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B15003 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate (%) | 84 | 87 |
- •Graduation rates vary significantly between South Dakota's urban and tribal-area schools.
Student Enrollment
Approximately 145,000 students are enrolled in South Dakota's K-12 public schools as of the 2023-2024 school year.
People enrolled in school (age 3+)
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B14001 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| K-12 enrollment | 145000 | 49600000 |
- •K-12 enrollment in South Dakota has remained relatively stable over the past decade.
Student-Teacher Ratios
South Dakota's student-teacher ratio is 13.6 students per teacher, providing relatively small class sizes compared to many states.
Students per full-time teacher (public schools)
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
Full-time-equivalent public school teachers
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
| Indicator | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Student-teacher ratio | 13.6 | 15.9 |
- •South Dakota's low student-teacher ratio benefits many small rural school districts.