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Top 10 Best Nursing Schools in South Dakota

Written By: Nurse.org Staff

Expert review by: Kathleen Gaines

MSN, RN, BA, CBC

17 Min Read Published May 13, 2024

Top 10 South Dakota Schools
Tuition Factors
Salary and Job Outlook
Next Steps
Comparison Considerations
Getting a South Dakota License
Conclusion

Whether you already live in South Dakota or would like to study in the Mount Rushmore State, the first step to becoming a registered nurse (RN) in South Dakota is studying at an in-state college or university.

To become an RN license eligible, you need to complete an approved nursing program and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. You have two options: an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). While both lead to RN licensure, BSN holders tend to earn much more than ADN-holding RNs.

Regardless of which option you prefer, South Dakota proves to be an excellent place to earn an education, prepare to take and pass the NCLEX-RN, and begin a nursing career.

Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs

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Top 10 Nursing Schools in South Dakota

This is a panel-reviewed selection based on a number of factors including,

Reputation
NCLEX pass rate
Tuition
Acceptance rate, when available
Only ACEN or CCNE accredited schools are eligible

Our selection panel includes 4 Registered Nurses with over 55 years of combined nursing experience and 7 nursing degrees.

Tracy Everhart, MSN, RN, CNS
Tyler Faust, MSN, RN
Kathleen Gaines MSN, RN, BA, CBC
Leah Helmbrecht, BSN, RN

Because nursing careers take different forms, the top 10 South Dakota nursing schools are ranked in no particular order.

1. South Dakota State University

In-State Tuition

$7,773 per year

Out-of-State Tuition

$11,283 per year

Accreditation

CCNE

Online?

As the largest institution of higher education in the state, South Dakota State University is likely on most students' shortlist of potential schools. SD state's campus in Brookings is ranked among the safest college towns in the nation and is less than an hour from Sioux Falls.

The nursing program matches the quality of SD state, with 100% of recent graduates finding a job within months of earning their degree. SD state has three BSN options: a traditional BSN, an accelerated second-degree BSN, and an online RN-BSN for current nurses with an ADN. The university also has multiple graduate-level programs for nurses who want to continue their education.

School Information:

Public or Private? Public
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Percent Enrolled Online: 19%

Tuition:

In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $259
Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $376

Contact Information:

Address: 1004 Campanile Ave, Brookings, SD
Website

School Success:

Retention Rate: 79%
Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $57,860

2. Dakota Wesleyan University

In-State Tuition

$30,700 per year

Out-of-State Tuition

$30,700 per year

Accreditation

CCNE

Online?

A smaller school founded on Methodist traditions, Dakota Wesleyan University offers students a tight-knit community experience. Students get to enjoy a low 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, which is just one of the many reasons nursing students do so well on the NCLEX.

The main program is the BSN, a four-year program that ultimately leads to licensure. The other option nurses can choose is the online RN-BSN, which uses eight-week courses and takes just 14 months to complete.

School Information:

Public or Private? Private
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Percent Enrolled Online: 11%

Tuition:

In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $550
Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $550

Contact Information:

Address: 1200 W University Ave, Mitchell, SD
Website

School Success:

Retention Rate: 69%
Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $57,603

3. Augustana University

In-State Tuition

$36,332 per year

Out-of-State Tuition

$36,332 per year

Accreditation

CCNE

Online?

Augustana is a relatively small school with just over 2,100 students. The Lutheran-affiliated college is private, so students cannot receive in-state tuition; however, most receive some form of financial aid.

Augustana offers two nursing options: a traditional BSN and an accelerated second-degree BSN, both of which saw students pass the NCLEX at an above-average rate. One unique aspect of Augustana is its Nordic roots. These roots are so strong that nursing students have the option to enroll in the Norwegian Nursing Exchange program that sends nurses to three different schools in Norway.

School Information:

Public or Private? Private
Acceptance Rate: 66%
Percent Enrolled Online: 7%

Tuition:

In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $533
Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $533

Contact Information:

Address: 2001 S Summit Ave, Sioux Falls, SD
Website

School Success:

Retention Rate: 82%
Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $57,724

Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs

4. University of Sioux Falls

In-State Tuition

$19,940 per year

Out-of-State Tuition

$19,940 per year

Accreditation

CCNE

Online?

The University of Sioux Falls is a private, Christian, liberal arts school based in the busy city of Sioux Falls. The school boasts a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio and a 99% job placement rate for all grads. Nurses enjoy even better outcomes than most students.

Traditional BSN students enjoy an extensive clinical experience in all areas of nursing. The other two nursing options, the accelerated second-degree BSN and the online RN-BSN have high job placement rates. The school is private and doesn't offer in-state tuition, but rates are easily reduced with financial aid.

School Information:

Public or Private? Private
Acceptance Rate: 76%
Percent Enrolled Online: 11%

Tuition:

In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $390
Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $390

Contact Information:

Address: 1101 W 22nd St, Sioux Falls, SD
Website

School Success:

Retention Rate: 74%
Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $58,173

5. Presentation College

In-State Tuition

$22,384 per year

Out-of-State Tuition

$22,384 per year

Accreditation

CCNE

Online?

Yes

Presentation College is a Catholic school based in Aberdeen, SD, that accepts students from all religious backgrounds. The relatively low NCLEX pass rate may have jumped out, but the traditional BSN isn't the only nursing option at Presentation.

The college also offers an online RN-BSN and an online master of science in nursing (MSN) as a family nurse practitioner. So, a current RN could earn a master's degree entirely online through Presentation. Both of these programs require students to be current nurses in the region.

School Information:

Public or Private? Private
Acceptance Rate: 76%
Percent Enrolled Online: 41%

Tuition:

In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $827
Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $827

Contact Information:

Address: 1500 N Main, Aberdeen, SD
Website

School Success:

Retention Rate: 51%
Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $59,688

6. University of South Dakota

In-State Tuition

$7,773 per year

Out-of-State Tuition

$11,283 per year

Accreditation

CCNE

Online?

The University of South Dakota is the state's flagship university. The campus in Vermillion is home to over 9,000 students, and the large school still manages to maintain a relatively low 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

The nursing program mixes nursing students with 10 other health science and medical school students, and outcomes are positive. USD has two undergraduate nursing options: a BSN and an online RN-BSN. Applicants who have an ACT score of 27 or higher and maintain a 3.0 GPA for BSN prerequisite courses receive guaranteed entry into the BSN program, so successful students don't need to worry about competitive admissions.

School Information:

Public or Private? Public
Acceptance Rate: 99%
Percent Enrolled Online: 33%

Tuition:

In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $259
Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $376

Contact Information:

Address: 414 E Clark St, Vermillion, SD
Website

School Success:

Retention Rate: 82%
Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $57,693

7. Mount Marty University

In-State Tuition

$28,900 per year

Out-of-State Tuition

$28,900 per year

Accreditation

CCNE

Online?

Yes

With locations in Yankton, Watertown, and Sioux Falls, Mount Marty University is able to teach students all across South Dakota. The BSN teaches nurses in the Catholic tradition, and students enjoy clinical rotations at facilities like Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton Medical Clinical, and South Dakota Human Services Center.

After earning a BSN, students might be interested in Mount Marty College's BSN-Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia program, ranked among the best in the region. This program takes 36 months for BSN holders and 24 months for MSN holders.

School Information:

Public or Private? Private
Acceptance Rate: 68%
Percent Enrolled Online: 2%

Tuition:

In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $585
Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $585

Contact Information:

Address: 1105 W. 8th Street, Yankton, SD
Website

School Success:

Retention Rate: 71%
Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $56,641

8. Southeast Technical College

In-State Tuition

$3,720 per year

Out-of-State Tuition

$3,720 per year

Accreditation

ACEN

Online?

Based in Sioux Falls, Southeast Technical College has taught students in the community for over 50 years. One of Southeast Tech's goals is to teach students employable skills within 24 months, so it doesn't have a BSN program.

However, Southeast Tech does have an ADN program that leads to RN licensure in roughly two years. Southeast Tech also has an LPN-RN program, so students can first become licensed practical nurses through Southeast Tech and then complete an associate degree while working as a nurse. After becoming an RN, students can always enroll in an online RN-BSN program elsewhere.

School Information:

Public or Private? Public
Acceptance Rate: N/A
Percent Enrolled Online: 16%

Tuition:

In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $124
Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $124

Contact Information:

Address: 2320 N Career Ave, Sioux Falls, SD
Website

School Success:

Retention Rate: 72%
Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: N/A

9. Lake Area Technical Institute

In-State Tuition

$3,720 per year

Out-of-State Tuition

$3,720 per year

Accreditation

ACEN

Online?

Yes

The LPN to RN program at Lake Area Technical Institute offers a path for practical nurses to become registered nurses in just 11 short months. The school offers this course in-person or online, giving students plenty of options and flexibility.

Additionally, the school has an astounding 99% graduate placement rate. So students can feel confident about their job prospects after completing the program.

School Information:

Public or Private? Public
Acceptance Rate: N/A
Percent Enrolled Online: 22%

Tuition:

In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $124
Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $124

Contact Information:

Address: 1201 Arrow Avenue, Watertown, SD
Website

School Success:

Retention Rate: 81%
Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: N/A

10. Aspen University

In-State Tuition

$4,755 per year

Out-of-State Tuition

$4,755 per year

Accreditation

CCNE

Online?

Yes

Another school well-known for its online programs, Aspen University, hosts one of the best online RN-BSN options. This quick program takes just 12 months to complete, thanks to the implementation of accelerated eight-week courses.

Aspen also has a traditional BSN program (not available in Wyoming) and other online nursing degrees, such as an MSN, an RN-MSN, and a DNP, all of which can come with different specializations. For nurses who completed their ADN, Aspen might be the fastest, most flexible, and most affordable route to completing a BSN.

School Information:

Public or Private? Private
Acceptance Rate: N/A
Percent Enrolled Online: 85%

Tuition:

In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $180
Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $180

Contact Information:

Address: 4615 E. Elwood St., Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ
Website

School Success:

Retention Rate: 50%
Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: N/A

4 Key Factors That Affect Nursing School Tuition

Keep in mind that colleges and universities reserve the right to change tuition rates at any time. The yearly tuition rates listed here will vary for each student depending on various factors including,

Transfer credits
Completed competency exams
Amount of credits taken per year
Financial aid awards

Check with the specific school for current tuition rates.

South Dakota Nurse Salary and Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS),

Registered nurses in South Dakota earn a mean annual salary of $60,540, lower than the national average.
South Dakota employs 14,140 RNs, or 33.56 RNs for every 1,000 workers.

South Dakota pays nurses significantly less than the national mean wage of $77,600. However, there are a few factors to consider:

Cost of living: The cost of living in SD is much lower than the national average, so the lower wage goes further than it would in a more expensive state such as California.
Region: Not all regions in South Dakota pay the same wages. According to the BLS, the Rapid City area pays RNs the highest mean wages at $63,390.

One benefit of working as an RN in South Dakota is the high employment rate. South Dakota employs over 30 nurses for every 1,000 workers, by far the highest rate in the country. So, new nurses could have less trouble finding a great nursing position in South Dakota than in another state.

Next Steps:

Spend some time researching different schools you might be interested in attending. There's no need to pick the perfect school right now, so keep an open mind about which South Dakota colleges and universities might be a good fit.

Once you've picked a few schools you are interested in, follow these next steps:

Contact each school’s admissions offices. Get in touch with each school's admissions office to learn more about the admissions process, admission requirements, and what materials you need to submit when applying.
Check to see if you meet the nursing school requirements. Nursing schools usually have their own requirements for applicants, and these are tougher to meet than the college/university's admission requirements. Make sure you're on track to become nursing school eligible if you aren't already.
Submit your application(s). Once you've figured out all the materials you need to submit a strong application, the final step is to send them in!

Common application requirements include:

High school transcript (GPA)
ACT and/or SAT scores
College entrance essay(s)
Letter(s) of recommendation

Important Considerations When Comparing Schools:

You'll begin to receive acceptance letters from colleges and universities, and that brings us to the next step in the process: comparing schools to pick the best option. Comparing schools is an excellent way to figure out which school aligns with your wants and needs the best.

Factors to consider include:

Annual tuition/nursing program cost
Financial aid, scholarships, and grants offered
Cost of living on-campus or in the area
Distance from home
Public vs Private (public schools offer in-state tuition)
School and nursing program acceptance rate
Length and type of program (BSN or ADN)
Program outcomes (NCLEX pass rate and job placement)
Accreditation (regional and programmatic)
School accreditation (regional and national)

Why you should care about the nursing program’s accreditation

Accreditation is how schools and programs verify their academic quality. When applying to colleges in South Dakota, make sure they're accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Also, do not apply to a nursing program unless it holds programmatic accreditation!

The two nursing accreditation organizations to look for are

If you earn a degree from an unaccredited school, you may have trouble securing federal financial aid and finding work as a nurse after graduation. Furthermore, if you plan on attending a graduate or doctoral program, a prerequisite is a BSN from an accredited nursing program.

Getting a License in South Dakota

According to the South Dakota Board of Nursing, nursing students looking to become RNs have a pretty straightforward path to licensure. It's also worth noting that South Dakota is part of the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC), meaning licensed RNs can easily obtain a multi-state license to work in other eNLC member states.

To get a license in South Dakota, you'll need to:

Study at a nursing school approved by the South Dakota Board of Nursing
Take and pass the NCLEX-RN
Pay an application fee and pass a criminal background check
Apply through the South Dakota Board of Nursing

Conclusion

As the number one employer for nurses per capita in the US, South Dakota employs plenty of registered nurses. The state has many great nursing schools, ranging from large public institutions to small private colleges. After completing an accredited nursing program, South Dakota RNs also get to enjoy eNLC multi-state license privileges, so a career that begins in South Dakota can easily move to most other states.