(Brookings, SD) — Brookings is being recognized as one of the most affordable college towns in the U.S. Home to South Dakota State University, Brookings has been ranked number two in WalletHub’s “2025 Best College Towns in America.” Factors considered include housing costs, cost of higher education and student loan debt per person, among others. The study evaluated over 400 cities of various sizes with a college or university population of 75-hundred students or more. SDSU vice president for student affairs and enrollment management, Michaela Willis, says the ranking affirms the importance of the school’s strong relationship with the community of Brookings.
