ABERDEEN, S.D. — Northern State University has been ranked No. 1 in South Dakota for our education program (No. 94 nationally) and residence halls (dorms) in Niche’s 2026 rankings.

Niche, a platform for college reviews and rankings, bases its results on factors such as academic quality, student satisfaction, campus safety and housing options.

“At Northern, preparing future teachers isn’t just what we do, it’s who we are. Being ranked #1 reflects the heart and soul our faculty and staff give to our students and the community of learners we’ve built. It’s truly special,” said Dr. Anna Schwan, dean of the Millicent Atkins School of Education.

These rankings are reinforced by student reviews on Niche.com. One student highlighted their experience at Northern: “Northern has a welcoming, close-knit community, and the professors are supportive and approachable. The smaller class sizes made it easy to connect and get personalized help, and there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. It’s a community-focused campus where faculty and staff genuinely want students to succeed.”

Dean of Students Sean Blackburn added, “We are very proud of our residence halls and appreciate the confirmation from Niche.com that our student experience is one of the best in the region.”

A student praised the faculty: “I have enjoyed my classes with almost every professor because they all have the goal of helping their students grow.”

This recognition underscores Northern’s dedication to providing top-tier education and exceptional student housing, solidifying its position as a leader in higher education in South Dakota.

For more information about Niche and its rankings, visit niche.com/colleges/rankings/methodology