8 Best Geology colleges in South Dakota [2026 Rankings]

Below is a list of best universities in South Dakota ranked based on their research performance in Geology. A graph of 360K citations received by 11.7K academic papers made by 8 universities in South Dakota was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. South Dakota State University

Brookings

For Geology

#188 in the United States

#217 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 98%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 97%

2. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Rapid

For Geology

#283 in the United States

#325 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 93%

3. University of South Dakota

Vermillion

For Geology

#306 in the United States

#353 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 99%
Average SAT: 1220
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 95%

4. Dakota State University

Madison

For Geology

#483 in the United States

#534 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1315
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 97%

5. University of Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls

For Geology

#708 in the United States

#772 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Net Price: $21,385
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $12,782

6. Augustana University

Sioux Falls

For Geology

#740 in the United States

#805 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 24
Net Price: $24,977

7. Black Hills State University

Spearfish

For Geology

#927 in the United States

#996 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 96%
Average SAT: 1050
Average ACT: 21
Receiving Aid: 89%

8. Northern State University

Aberdeen

For Geology

#1039 in the United States

#1113 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1070
Average ACT: 21
Receiving Aid: 98%

Closest to South Dakota states to learn Geology

State	Universities Unis	Best university country rank Best uni rank
Nebraska	12	63
North Dakota	7	173
Minnesota	25	13
Iowa	22	47
Kansas	12	55
Colorado	18	24
Montana	8	97
Wisconsin	27	8
Missouri	30	43
Oklahoma	17	64
Illinois	65	10
Utah	11	42
Idaho	7	127
Michigan	29	5
Indiana	30	29
Arkansas	16	130
New Mexico	8	83
Kentucky	22	67
Ohio	54	18
Texas	70	15
Arizona	9	20
Tennessee	30	56
Nevada	7	109
Mississippi	13	114
Washington	29	3
Oregon	17	37
Louisiana	22	58
West Virginia	15	115
Alabama	24	94
Pennsylvania	90	12
California	113	2
Georgia	38	39
Virginia	40	46
North Carolina	38	33
District of Columbia	9	123
South Carolina	25	86
New York	123	7
Maryland	25	21
New Jersey	23	25
Vermont	10	128
Connecticut	20	19
New Hampshire	11	91
Massachusetts	63	1
Rhode Island	9	61
Maine	14	126
Florida	47	16
Alaska	4	85
Puerto Rico	13	261
Hawaii	7	70