South Dakota is split in half by the Missouri River, and locals call the two halves of the state East River and West River. Most residents of the state live East of the Missouri River, which is the most fertile area of the state for growing crops. Ranching is the most important activity for food west of the Missouri River.

Economically, tourism and defense spending are critical to the Western half of the state, where there are rugged wilderness attractions, much like those in Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota. The state has made a push to develop a more versatile economy, attempting to increase research into biomedical fields and alternative energy. This is in an attempt to attract more people to the state as residents and to bring in more businesses, which will also be a means toward that end.

Schools in South Dakota that Offer a Master of Public Administration

The University of South Dakota is the only school in the state that has a Master of Public Administration. Its program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration, though, so it is of a high quality.

The University of South Dakota is a public university that was established in 1862 and has more than 10,000 students. About 2,500 of its students are postgraduates. It is located in Vermillion, South Dakota, about an hour’s drive outside of Sioux Falls. The University of South Dakota is the oldest public college in the state and the only university in South Dakota that has a medical school and a law school.

Athletically, the University of South Dakota’s teams are known as the Coyotes and play in the Summit League, a Division I conference. The football team plays in the Missouri Valley Football Conference due to the lack of teams in the Summit League.