univstats
  1. Home
  2. State Data
  3. South Dakota
  4. Graduation Rate

South Dakota Colleges Graduation Rates

South Dakota Best Schools Compare All South Dakota Schools
Graduate Rate 58.92%
Male 53.94%
Female 63.41%
Transfer-Out Rate 10.70%
Retention Rate
Full-time / Part-time 78% / 59%

South Dakota Colleges Graduation Rate

The average graduation rate of South Dakota colleges is 58.92% - 3,495 students out of 5,932 candidates were completed their degree within 150% normal time (for example, within 6 years for students seeking a 4-year bachelors degree)). By gender, 1,518 male and 1,977 female students have graduated last year completing their studies within 150% normal time.The following table summarizes the graduation rate by gender with number of completers.
Graduation Rate By Gender
South Dakota colleges and universities
CandidatesCompletersGraduation Rates
Total5,9323,49558.92%
Male2,8141,51853.94%
Female3,1181,97763.41%
[Chart] South Dakota Colleges and Universities Graduation Rate by Gender

BS Degree Graduation Rates By Completion Periods

For 4 years (or high) schools, 2,518 students completed their degree in 4 years and 789 finished in 5 years at South Dakota colleges. Additional 127 students graduated within 6 years.
Graduation Rates By Completion Periods
South Dakota Colleges
TotalMaleFemale
4 Year or Less42.45% 35.36% 48.85%
5 Year55.75% 50.46% 60.52%
6 Year57.89% 52.91% 62.38%
[Chart] South Dakota Colleges and Universities BS Degree Graduation Rates By Completion Periods

Retention Rate

By definition, retention rate is the percentage of students who return to a college for their sophomore year. The average retention rate of South Dakota colleges is 74.54% for full-time students and 57.50% for part-time students.
Retention Rates (2024-2025)
South Dakota Colleges and Universities
Full-timePart-time
Retention Rate 74.54%57.50%
[Chart] South Dakota Colleges and Universities Retention Rate

Transfer-Out Rates

The average transfer-out rate at South Dakota colleges is 10.70%. The transfer-out rate is calculated by dividing students who have transferred out of other institution into total number of students (candidates) within 150% normal time.
Transfer-Out Rates
South Dakota Colleges and Universities
Transfer-outTotal StudentsTransfer-Out Rate
Total 6355,932 10.70%
Male 2462,814 8.74%
Female 3893,118 12.48%
[Chart] South Dakota Colleges and Universities Transfer-Out Rates
Know about South Dakota Colleges