Every school has their own specialty.
​Some schools are research facilities, some are renowned for their job opportunities and globalized approach to learning. Every school in South Dakota also has their own generalized specialization. Choosing a school that's specialty is what you want to major in is often a benefit, as often that department has more endowment for scholarships, opportunities, and connections for future jobs.  

These are the stereotypes/ departments with either highly known programs or graduate programs at each university. 

■SDSU- Engineering & Agriculture, Nursing
■USD- Medical & Law, Pre-Professional
■Mines- Engineering + Computer Science
■Northern- Music + Medical
■Dakota State- Cyber Security & Education
■Black Hills State- Education + Arts
■Dakota Wesleyan- Education & Athletic Training
■Augustana- Education & Liberal Arts
■University of Sioux Falls- Athletics, Business Admin, Paramedics/Radiology
■Mount Marty- Education, Nursing 

Technical Schools:
​■Lake Area- Nursing, Ag, Financial Services, Business, Diesel
■Southeast Tech- Healthcare and Business
■Mitchell Tech- Linemen, Energy, Agriculture, Health Sciences
■Western Dakota Tech- Health Sciences, Business, Construction