As the state's largest institution, South Dakota State University in Brookings also offers a large number of academic majors and other opportunities. Choose from more than 200 majors, minors and specializations. Enjoy research opportunities as early as your freshman year in SDSU's state-of-the-art science complex. The average class size at SDSU is 35 students. The school also supports more than 200 campus organizations. Enrollment at SDSU topped 12,300 in 2009.
Set in southeastern South Dakota in the small town of Vermillion along the Missouri River, the University of South Dakota is the second-largest university in the state, with an enrollment of just over 10,000 in 2010. Founded in 1862, USD also has the distinction of being the oldest university in the state. Students attending USD select one of 132 undergraduate or 62 graduate degrees. Top fields of study include nursing, business and psychology.
Black Hills State University set a record enrollment of more than 4,700 in 2010 and continues to grow. The 123-acre campus lies in the state's historic Black Hills area in the city of Spearfish. Students at BHSU can choose from 63 bachelor's's degrees, four associate's degrees, 20 pre-professional degrees and five master's degrees. According to the school's website, the most popular majors are business, education and biology. More than 30 percent of BHSU students are adult learners, and nearly 25 percent of students are the first in their family to pursue higher education.
Dakota State University in rural Madison had a student enrollment of more than 2,700 in 2010. The school was founded in 1881 as Madison Normal School and has been identified with teacher preparation for much of its history. Students at DSU earn bachelor's, master's and pre-professional degrees in more than 48 areas of study. The school claims a postgraduate job placement rate of 93 percent in 2010.
Northern State University in Aberdeen serves more than 2,200 students from 36 states and 20 foreign countries as of 2010. Student earn degrees in 38 majors, 42 minors, 8 pre-professional and 9 graduate areas. The school boasts a student-faculty ratio of 19:1 and a student-computer ratio of 4.7:1. Students enjoy more than 100 clubs and activity groups that enable them to pursue interests and develop leadership skills.