South Dakotans Behind National Average in Obtaining University Degrees

Among the flood of studies that tout Sioux Falls or South Dakota as being in the top ten for so many positive things, comes another report that says we have our work cut out for us when it comes to getting a university degree.

According to a recent study,only 26.6 percent of South Dakota residents over the age of 25 have at least a bachelor's degree. That ranks 34 out of the 50 states. Of the eight states around South Dakota, only Wyoming and Iowa are lower.

The Black Hills Knowledge Network also correlates a connection with a lack of a University Degree with lower income and in some cases poverty. Colorado ranks 2nd nationally, with Minnesota 10th and Nebraska 20th.

According to their findings based on the US Census Bureau, the Counties with the highest number of University graduates include Clay, Brookings and Lincoln County.  Minnehaha County ranks 8 within the state, while the lowest counties are Shannon and Buffalo County.