South Dakota Community Colleges Rank Among Nation’s Best

Affordable Higher Education: A Local Opportunity

If you’re looking for a great education without taking on a mountain of college debt, you don’t necessarily have to look very far.

A new study from WalletHub puts South Dakota in the national spotlight when it comes to community colleges. Mitchell Technical College in Mitchell ranked fourth among more than 610 community colleges across the country, earning a spot among the very best in the nation.

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And it’s not just Mitchell Tech getting attention. WalletHub ranked South Dakota third in the country for its overall community college system, giving the state plenty of reason to brag about its approach to affordable higher education.

Community colleges have become an increasingly attractive option for students who want a quality education without the price tag that can come with a traditional four-year school. According to WalletHub, tuition and fees for full-time, in-state students at public two-year colleges averaged about $4,150 per year during the 2025-26 academic year. That compares with roughly $11,950 at public four-year schools and $45,000 at private four-year institutions.

More Than Just Savings: The Community College Advantage

But saving money isn't the only advantage.

Community colleges often offer flexible class schedules, smaller class sizes, and challenging coursework. Some have even expanded beyond traditional two-year programs to offer bachelor's degrees.

For its rankings, WalletHub compared more than 610 community colleges using 18 different measures of cost and quality. Those factors included everything from tuition and fees to student-faculty ratios and graduation rates.

So, what does a fourth-place national ranking mean for Mitchell Technical College? It’s a pretty impressive reminder that students don't always have to travel far from home to find an outstanding college education.

And with South Dakota ranking third overall, it looks like the state’s community colleges are doing a lot more than simply offering an affordable alternative. They’re giving students a chance to get a great education right here at home.

Ranking The Best Schools In The Sioux Falls Area

They have ranked the best schools in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota area. Do you think they got it right? USNews.com came out with a list of the Best High Schools in the Sioux Falls, SD area.

Dives Worth a Drive in South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota

Almost every small South Dakota town has a watering hole. It’s where the locals go to kick back a few brews and engage in conversation.

Some of these establishments are located in buildings almost as old as the town itself. There might be a fresh coat of paint on the walls or new vinyl on the booth seats, but the ambiance is still reminiscent of a good ol’ dive.

If you think a "dive" is all about the sketchy clientele, the smell of the Devil’s lettuce, and stale Grain Belt, you’d be wrong. Not every dive has a bad reputation.

What makes a dive, a dive?

A dive has character. Neon beer signs and local memorabilia adorn the walls.

You might find a pool table, dart board, and a few video lottery machines.

The bartender knows the regulars by name and they know what you drink.

Some dives don't even serve food except for bags of chips and pickled eggs that sit in a jar of brine on the bar.

Dives aren't fancy. You might see 70's-style wood panels on the walls and wobbly tables leveled with a folded napkin.

Finally, the bathrooms. The bathrooms in dives are in a class by themselves and could be a whole topic on its own.

There are several small-town dives in our area with friendly faces, cheap booze with a burn, and even really good food! We use the term "dive" in the most affectionate way.

Here are some of the best and why you should go there.

Gallery Credit: Karla Brown