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South Dakota Colleges Graduation Rates

South Dakota Best Schools Compare All South Dakota Schools
Graduate Rate 57.57%
Male 52.43%
Female 62.17%
Transfer-Out Rate 9.30%
Retention Rate
Full-time / Part-time 72% / 57%

South Dakota Colleges Graduation Rate

The average graduation rate of South Dakota colleges is 57.57% - 3,355 students out of 5,828 candidates were completed their degree within 150% normal time (for example, within 6 years for students seeking a 4-year bachelors degree)). By gender, 1,445 male and 1,910 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
Total5,8283,35557.57%
Male2,7561,44552.43%
Female3,0721,91062.17%
[Chart] South Dakota Colleges and Universities Graduation Rate by Gender

BS Degree Graduation Rates By Completion Periods

For 4 years (or high) schools, 2,365 students completed their degree in 4 years and 796 finished in 5 years at South Dakota colleges. Additional 138 students graduated within 6 years.
Graduation Rates By Completion Periods
South Dakota Colleges
TotalMaleFemale
4 Year or Less40.58% 33.53% 46.91%
5 Year54.24% 48.95% 58.98%
6 Year56.61% 51.81% 60.90%
[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 73.77% for full-time students and 57.75% for part-time students.
Retention Rates (2023-2024)
South Dakota Colleges and Universities
Full-timePart-time
Retention Rate 73.77%57.75%
[Chart] South Dakota Colleges and Universities Retention Rate

Transfer-Out Rates

The average transfer-out rate at South Dakota colleges is 9.30%. 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 5425,828 9.30%
Male 2342,756 8.49%
Female 3083,072 10.03%
[Chart] South Dakota Colleges and Universities Transfer-Out Rates
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