South Dakota · Computer and Information Sciences

Best colleges for Computer and Information Sciences in South Dakota

Ranked by graduate earnings

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, South Dakota State University and Dakota State University are the top bachelor's Computer and Information Sciences programs in South Dakota by graduate earnings. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $78,193, College Scorecard. University of South Dakota, Dakota State University and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology award the most Computer and Information Sciences degrees in South Dakota: 166, 127 and 55 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 8 South Dakota colleges offer Computer and Information Sciences and award 414 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Computer and Information Sciences program focuses on the intersection of computing and informatics, treating computers as essential tools for problem-solving and innovation. This program is designed for students interested in…

Institutions
8
offering CIP 11.01
States & territories
56
with a program page
Degrees / yr
414
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$61,287
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
4
College Scorecard
Median net price
$23,011
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
44%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Computer and Information Research Scientists
—
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 4 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Rapid City Public · Bachelor's degree
$78,1935553%—$27,000
2South Dakota State University
Brookings Public · Bachelor's degree
$73,7703862%—$22,748
3Dakota State University
Madison Public · Bachelor's degree
$61,28712751%—$23,000
4National American University - Rapid City
Rapid City Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree Online Small program
$52,12990%$22,086$53,229

Colleges awarding the most Computer and Information Sciences degrees in South Dakota

Top 5 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1University of South Dakota
Vermillion Public
166Not reported
2Dakota State University
Madison Public
127$61,287
3South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Rapid City Public
55$78,193
4South Dakota State University
Brookings Public
38$73,770
5Augustana University
Sioux Falls Private not-for-profit
5Not reported
Show the other 3 South Dakota colleges offering Computer and Information Sciences
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Oglala Lakota CollegeKylePublic13
National American University - Rapid City (Online)Rapid CityPrivate for-profit9
California Intercontinental University (Online)Sioux FallsPrivate for-profit1

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Computer and Information Research Scientists (SOC 15-1221).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+19.7%
Much faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~3,200
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$140,910
typically Master's degree

Top skills

Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingActive LearningMathematics

What Computer and Information Research Scientists earn in South Dakota

Jobs in South Dakota
—
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
—
annual
Best-paying metro
—

Related careers

Software Developers
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Information Security Analysts
$120,750 avg · 770 jobs
Computer Network Architects
$151,620 avg · 420 jobs
Computer and Information Systems Managers
$168,550 avg · 380 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Computer and Information Sciences programs in South Dakota.

Which South Dakota colleges award the most Computer and Information Sciences degrees?+

University of South Dakota (166 graduates a year), Dakota State University (127 graduates a year) and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (55 graduates a year) award the most Computer and Information Sciences degrees in South Dakota, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 8 South Dakota colleges offer Computer and Information Sciences.

What is the best college for Computer and Information Sciences in South Dakota?+

By graduate earnings, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology leads among bachelor's Computer and Information Sciences programs in South Dakota, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $78,193, College Scorecard. South Dakota State University and Dakota State University follow. By degrees awarded, University of South Dakota is the largest, with 166 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

Which Computer and Information Sciences program in South Dakota has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology tops the list at $78,193. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

What is the focus of the Computer and Information Sciences program?+

The Computer and Information Sciences program focuses on the intersection of computing and informatics, treating computers as essential tools for problem-solving and innovation. This program is designed for students interested in…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop critical thinking, reading comprehension, active listening, speaking, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Computer and Information Research Scientists?+

The national job outlook is about +19.7% growth with around 3,200 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Master's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

Computer and Information Sciences in other statesMassachusettsMinnesotaUtahConnecticutWisconsinVirginiaWashingtonMichigan

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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