Awards and Rankings

Recent Awards
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2025 Best Public University

SDSU named to U.S. News and World Report’s 2025 Best Public University (No. 149) and Best National University (No. 266) lists, ranked best in South Dakota.
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SDSU named 2024 safest large college campus in South Dakota

South Dakota State University again tops the list for safest large college campus in South Dakota, according to a new report by SafeHome.org.
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Ranked No. 5 in Best Value Colleges for International Students

This ranking is out of 1,204 colleges in the U.S. that offer four-year degrees. South Dakota State is in the top 1% for international students seeking quality and affordability in U.S. education.
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Forbes 2024-2025 America’s Top Colleges

SDSU named to Forbes 2024-2025 America’s Top Colleges, highest ranked university in South Dakota
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SDSU recognized as a Tree Campus USA
SDSU has been recognized as a Tree Campus USA annually since 2009.
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Online Nursing ranked 1st in the state (EduMed)
Ranked 45th nationally
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Became the nation's ninth Purple Heart Campus
The state's first Purple Heart Campus
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Brookings scores 100 on equity index for 6th straight year
Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index
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Top 10 Most Affordable College Towns in the US
Ranked No. 2 (cnbc.com, 2024)
Top Ranked Programs
Best Online Master's Programs

Most Affordable

Best Online Bachelor's

Most Affordable

Featured Stories
Graphic describing 100% NAPLEX First Time Pass Rate for 2024 graduates
Pharmacy grads hit 100% NAPLEX pass rate
South Dakota State University pharmacy students outdid themselves in the 2024 North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination. Dan Hansen, dean of the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, said 56 of the 59 Pharm.D. graduates took the exam in 2024, and all 56 passed on their first attempt, giving SDSU a 100% pass rate.
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South Dakota State University named a top packaging innovation research university
Researchers in South Dakota State University's College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences are developing the next generation of innovative packaging materials that may help curb the Earth's ongoing plastic waste crisis.
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