2026 Rankings
Best Trade Schools in South Dakota
Data-driven rankings of 7 trade colleges in South Dakota based on graduation rates, student outcomes, and affordability. No paid placements.
7 Schools RankedPowered by IPEDS Data
Showing 1–7 of 7 schools
#1
63.2/ 100
Paul Mitchell the School-Rapid City
Rapid City, SD · Private Trade School
Grad Rate:71%
Student-Faculty:6:1
Programs:4
Avg Tuition:$7,767
Financial Aid:100%
#2
59.1/ 100
Lake Area Technical College
Watertown, SD · Public Institution
Grad Rate:73%
Student-Faculty:12:1
Programs:44
Avg Tuition:N/A
Financial Aid:91%
#3
54.7/ 100
Mitchell Technical College
Mitchell, SD · Public Institution
Grad Rate:70%
Student-Faculty:12:1
Programs:44
Avg Tuition:N/A
Financial Aid:85%
#4
53.7/ 100
The Salon Professional Academy
Rapid City, SD · Private Trade School
Grad Rate:70%
Student-Faculty:8:1
Programs:4
Avg Tuition:$7,049
Financial Aid:69%
#5
53.4/ 100
Southeast Technical College
Sioux Falls, SD · Public Institution
Grad Rate:56%
Student-Faculty:8:1
Programs:59
Avg Tuition:N/A
Financial Aid:76%
#6
53.3/ 100
Stewart School
Sioux Falls, SD · Private Trade School
Grad Rate:81%
Student-Faculty:15:1
Programs:4
Avg Tuition:$6,229
Financial Aid:70%
#7
48.7/ 100
Western Dakota Technical College
Rapid City, SD · Public Institution
Grad Rate:43%
Student-Faculty:8:1
Programs:40
Avg Tuition:N/A
Financial Aid:85%
Our rankings evaluate trade and vocational colleges using six weighted metrics derived from federal IPEDS data: graduation rate, student-faculty ratio, program breadth, institutional scale, financial accessibility, and affordability. Schools must meet minimum eligibility requirements to be ranked.
How are these rankings calculated? View Methodology