South Dakota ranked most affordable state to earn a college degree

State officials say tuition rates key in competing with neighbors for future students

(Courtesy of Forbes Magazine)

South Dakota’s hold on public university tuition rates over the last three years coupled with modest housing prices and low unemployment have earned it the distinction of being the most affordable place in the country to go to college.

That’s according to a new report from Forbes Magazine, which analyzed data from all 50 states to assess where college graduates get the most bang for their buck.

“The main factors impacting the state’s affordability include its lower-than-average in-state tuition ($9,012 per year), one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country (1.9%) and enviably low-cost room and board ($8,166 per year),” wrote Forbes journalist Garrett Andrews in an article announcing the release of the report last week.

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