What share of students in South Dakota are proficient in math?

In 2024, 33% of eighth graders in South Dakota public schools were at or above NAEP Proficient in mathematics (6th highest among the 50 states and DC) and 29% in reading, compared with 39% and 32% in 2019 (national public 2024: 27% and 29%).

Education in South Dakota, United States: official figures

82.1% of public high school students in South Dakota graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); 9th lowest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).

High school graduation rate (4-year ACGR)

82.1%

2021-22

NAEP fourth-grade reading score

214

2024

NAEP eighth-grade mathematics score

281

2024

Current spending per pupil, public schools

$12,828

FY2024

Public school enrollment

141,467

Fall 2023

Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher

34.2%

2024

Is the graduation rate in South Dakota rising?

The four-year graduation rate in South Dakota was 82.1% in 2021-22, compared with 83% in 2011-12 and 84.1% in 2018-19, before the pandemic; nationally the rate went from 80% in 2011-12 to 86.6% in 2021-22.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

What is the graduation rate for disadvantaged students in South Dakota?

In 2021-22 the four-year graduation rate in South Dakota was 60.0% for economically disadvantaged students, 63.0% for students with disabilities and 75.0% for English learners (U.S.: 81.3%, 71.4%, 72.1% respectively).

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

What is the graduation rate by race in South Dakota?

By race and ethnicity, the 2021-22 graduation rate in South Dakota was 76.0% for Black, 69.0% for Hispanic and 89.5% for White students (U.S.: 81.0%, 82.8%, 89.8%).

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

How do students in South Dakota score in grade 4 reading?

Public school students in South Dakota averaged 214 in fourth-grade reading on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), joint 25th lowest among the 50 states and DC, down from 222 in 2019 (national public: 214, 219 in 2019). 28% scored at or above Proficient and 40% below Basic.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

How do students in South Dakota score in grade 8 reading?

Public school students in South Dakota averaged 260 in eighth-grade reading on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), joint 12th highest among the 50 states and DC, down from 263 in 2019 (national public: 257, 262 in 2019). 29% scored at or above Proficient and 30% below Basic.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

How do students in South Dakota score in grade 4 math?

Public school students in South Dakota averaged 240 in fourth-grade mathematics on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), joint 9th highest among the 50 states and DC, down from 241 in 2019 (national public: 237, 240 in 2019). 42% scored at or above Proficient and 21% below Basic.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

How do students in South Dakota score in grade 8 math?

Public school students in South Dakota averaged 281 in eighth-grade mathematics on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 6th highest among the 50 states and DC, down from 287 in 2019 (national public: 272, 281 in 2019). 33% scored at or above Proficient and 29% below Basic.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

How much does South Dakota spend per student?

Public school systems in South Dakota spent $12,828 per pupil on current operations in fiscal year 2024, 7th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: $17,619), according to the Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Is school spending per pupil in South Dakota going up?

Current spending per pupil in South Dakota rose from $10,139 in fiscal 2019 to $12,828 in fiscal 2024, up 26.5% before inflation (U.S.: up 33.6%); the change on fiscal 2023 was up 6.9%.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

What does South Dakota spend school money on?

Of the $12,828 spent per pupil in South Dakota in fiscal 2024, $7,418 went on instruction and $4,681 on support services; salaries and wages came to $7,693 per pupil and employee benefits $2,172.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Where does school funding in South Dakota come from?

Public school systems in South Dakota received $2.3 billion in revenue in fiscal 2024: 19.4% from the federal government, 30.7% from the state and 49.9% from local sources such as property taxes (U.S.: 11.6%, 45.2% and 43.2%).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How much does South Dakota spend on public schools in total?

Total spending by public school systems in South Dakota was $2.5 billion in fiscal 2024, of which $1.8 billion was current spending and $572.88 million capital outlay on buildings and equipment; the systems owed $1.3 billion in debt at the end of the year.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many students are in public schools in South Dakota?

141,467 pupils were enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools in South Dakota in fall 2023, up 1.1% on fall 2019 (139,949) and up 8.1% on fall 2013; nationally enrollment was down 2.5% since 2019.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

What is the student-teacher ratio in South Dakota?

Public schools in South Dakota had 10,261 full-time-equivalent teachers in fall 2022, about 13.8 pupils per teacher, joint 22nd fewest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 15.4; South Dakota in fall 2019: 14.1).

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

What percentage of people in South Dakota have a college degree?

34.2% of adults aged 25 and over in South Dakota, about 213,000 people, held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2024; 21st lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 36.8%). That is up 2.5 percentage points on 2021 (31.7%), according to the American Community Survey.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many people in South Dakota have a graduate degree?

In 2024, 11.2% of adults 25 and over in South Dakota had a graduate or professional degree and 13.2% an associate degree as their highest qualification (U.S.: 14.7% and 8.8%).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many adults in South Dakota did not finish high school?

94.0% of adults 25 and over in South Dakota had at least a high school diploma or equivalent in 2024, leaving 6.0% without one; that share is 8th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 10.1%).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How South Dakota compares with other states

Public high school 4-year graduation rate (ACGR) (2021-22)

South Dakota ranks 41 of 49, highest first. Adjusted cohort graduation rate; New Mexico and Oklahoma did not report for 2021-22

Rank	Region	Public high school 4-year graduation rate (ACGR)
38	Louisiana	83.1%
39	Vermont	82.8%
40	Colorado	82.3%
41	South Dakota	82.1%
42	Wyoming	81.8%
43	Nevada	81.7%
44	Oregon	81.3%

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

Graduation rate of economically disadvantaged students (2021-22)

South Dakota ranks 48 of 48, highest first. Adjusted cohort graduation rate

Rank	Region	Graduation rate of economically disadvantaged students
42	Alaska	70.2%
43	Michigan	69.6%
44	Idaho	69.6%
45	North Dakota	69.0%
46	Wyoming	68.0%
47	District of Columbia	65.0%
48	South Dakota	60.0%

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

NAEP fourth-grade reading, average score (2024)

South Dakota ranks 31 of 51, highest first. Public school students; scale 0-500

Rank	Region	NAEP fourth-grade reading, average score
28	Georgia	214
29	Virginia	214
30	Minnesota	214
31	South Dakota	214
32	North Carolina	213
33	Alabama	213
34	Nevada	213

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

NAEP eighth-grade reading, average score (2024)

South Dakota ranks 15 of 51, highest first. Public school students; scale 0-500

Rank	Region	NAEP eighth-grade reading, average score
12	Ohio	260
13	Wisconsin	260
14	Minnesota	260
15	South Dakota	260
16	Wyoming	260
17	Pennsylvania	259
18	Georgia	259

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

NAEP fourth-grade mathematics, average score (2024)

South Dakota ranks 12 of 51, highest first. Public school students; scale 0-500

Rank	Region	NAEP fourth-grade mathematics, average score
9	New Jersey	240
10	Tennessee	240
11	Indiana	240
12	South Dakota	240
13	Ohio	239
14	North Carolina	239
15	Colorado	239

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

NAEP eighth-grade mathematics, average score (2024)

South Dakota ranks 6 of 51, highest first. Public school students; scale 0-500

Rank	Region	NAEP eighth-grade mathematics, average score
3	New Jersey	282
4	Minnesota	282
5	Utah	282
6	South Dakota	281
7	Nebraska	280
8	New Hampshire	280
9	North Dakota	280

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

Eighth graders at or above NAEP Proficient in mathematics (2024)

South Dakota ranks 6 of 51, highest first. Public school students

Rank	Region	Eighth graders at or above NAEP Proficient in mathematics
3	Wisconsin	36.5%
4	Utah	35.1%
5	Minnesota	34.0%
6	South Dakota	33.3%
7	Colorado	32.5%
8	Nebraska	32.5%
9	Illinois	32.3%

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

Fourth graders below NAEP Basic in reading (2024)

South Dakota ranks 27 of 51, highest first. Public school students

Rank	Region	Fourth graders below NAEP Basic in reading
24	Georgia	40.6%
25	South Carolina	40.3%
26	Kansas	40.1%
27	South Dakota	39.9%
28	Louisiana	39.6%
29	Washington	39.5%
30	Iowa	39.5%

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

Current spending per pupil, public schools (FY2024)

South Dakota ranks 45 of 51, highest first. Census Bureau Annual Survey of School System Finances

Rank	Region	Current spending per pupil, public schools
42	North Carolina	$12,995
43	Texas	$12,895
44	Tennessee	$12,882
45	South Dakota	$12,828
46	Florida	$12,693
47	Mississippi	$12,324
48	Oklahoma	$12,162

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Change in current spending per pupil since FY2019 (FY2019-FY2024)

South Dakota ranks 44 of 51, highest first. Current dollars, not adjusted for inflation

Rank	Region	Change in current spending per pupil since FY2019
41	New York	+27.0%
42	Nebraska	+26.7%
43	Wisconsin	+26.6%
44	South Dakota	+26.5%
45	Wyoming	+25.9%
46	Pennsylvania	+25.1%
47	Connecticut	+23.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Share of public school revenue from local sources (FY2024)

South Dakota ranks 14 of 51, highest first. Census Bureau

Rank	Region	Share of public school revenue from local sources
11	Maine	51.0%
12	New York	50.9%
13	Texas	50.8%
14	South Dakota	49.9%
15	Virginia	48.9%
16	Georgia	48.6%
17	Massachusetts	48.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Pupils per teacher, public schools (Fall 2022)

South Dakota ranks 30 of 51, highest first. Common Core of Data

Rank	Region	Pupils per teacher, public schools
27	South Carolina	14.1
28	Iowa	14.1
29	Nebraska	13.8
30	South Dakota	13.8
31	Illinois	13.7
32	Wisconsin	13.7
33	Montana	13.7

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

Change in public school enrollment, fall 2019 to fall 2023 (2019-2023)

South Dakota ranks 5 of 51, highest first. Common Core of Data

Rank	Region	Change in public school enrollment, fall 2019 to fall 2023
2	North Dakota	+2.5%
3	Idaho	+1.7%
4	Delaware	+1.4%
5	South Dakota	+1.1%
6	South Carolina	+0.9%
7	Utah	+0.8%
8	Texas	+0.7%

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

Adults 25 and over with a bachelor's degree or higher (2024)

South Dakota ranks 31 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey 1-year estimates

Rank	Region	Adults 25 and over with a bachelor's degree or higher
28	Texas	35.2%
29	Arizona	34.7%
30	Wisconsin	34.6%
31	South Dakota	34.2%
32	North Dakota	34.0%
33	Missouri	33.5%
34	Michigan	33.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Adults 25 and over without a high school diploma or equivalent (2024)

South Dakota ranks 44 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey 1-year estimates

Rank	Region	Adults 25 and over without a high school diploma or equivalent
41	Utah	6.4%
42	Wisconsin	6.3%
43	Hawaii	6.3%
44	South Dakota	6.0%
45	North Dakota	5.9%
46	Minnesota	5.8%
47	Wyoming	5.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

More on South Dakota: overview · economy and jobs · health · poverty and living standards · government budget · the United States

Sources

National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education): Digest of Education Statistics 2023, Table 219.46: Public high school 4-year adjusted cohort graduation rate (ACGR), by selected student characteristics and state, 2011-12 through 2021-22, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1913b92e5e75…)
U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates, table-based summary file: Educational attainment for the population 25 years and over (B15003), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0c933281d2c2…)
National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education): Digest of Education Statistics 2024, Table 203.20: Enrollment in public elementary and secondary schools, by state, fall 1990 through fall 2023 (Common Core of Data), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 8e370b60d62a…)
U.S. Census Bureau: 2024 Annual Survey of School System Finances: summary tables (Public Elementary-Secondary Education Finance Data, fiscal year 2024), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 848133174f29…)
National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education): NAEP mathematics grade 4, 2019 and 2024: average scale score and achievement-level percentages for public school students by state (NAEP Data Service), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 913ed194a3d5…)
National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education): NAEP mathematics grade 8, 2019 and 2024: average scale score and achievement-level percentages for public school students by state (NAEP Data Service), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7dc207d5418d…)
National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education): NAEP reading grade 4, 2019 and 2024: average scale score and achievement-level percentages for public school students by state (NAEP Data Service), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7da857933d83…)
National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education): NAEP reading grade 8, 2019 and 2024: average scale score and achievement-level percentages for public school students by state (NAEP Data Service), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 790de8a24822…)
National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education): Digest of Education Statistics 2023, Table 208.40: Public elementary and secondary teachers, enrollment, and pupil/teacher ratios, by state, fall 2000 through fall 2022 (Common Core of Data), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c15568f58c4c…)

Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.