Let's take a closer look at online colleges in South Dakota:
If you've already earned some college credits, know that the Higher Board of Education of South Dakota has implemented an articulation agreement to give students — including online students — the opportunity to continue their education by transferring credits earned at a technical college in South Dakota to a public university in the state that best fits their needs.
Read on to learn about our ranking of the 10 best online colleges in South Dakota and to see some South Dakota-specific scholarships that may make distance education more cost effective.
Here at OnlineColleges.com, we've created multiple rankings to help students find an online college in South Dakota that's right for them. Every school displayed on this page is accredited by at least one officially recognized accrediting agency. (For details on why accreditation matters, visit our "What is College Accreditation?" page.) Many colleges and universities in South Dakota are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). However, some may be accredited by other national, programmatic or faith-based agencies instead of or in addition to the HLC. To learn more about what constitutes valid accreditation in the state, check with the South Dakota Board of Regents.
Students can use our rankings to compare online colleges in South Dakota, helping them to gain insight into what these schools offer in the realm of online education. We've compiled data such as cost of in-state tuition, academic and career services offered, the percentage of students receiving federal financial aid and the average amount awarded, and many other important factors that can influence a student's decision. Learn more about these factors and why we chose them in the "What Makes a Good Online College?" section of our "About Us" page.
Finding the right college is as important as choosing the right major. To help students be well-informed about their decision, we have put together this list of the 10 best online universities in South Dakota. Our rankings are created using data gathered from the National Institution for Data Statistics (NCES) and our special methodology.
A significant portion of students at the public South Dakota State University, which is the largest university in the state, reside outside of South Dakota. This is possible thanks to SD State's robust collection of online degree programs. The university runs online associate programs and bachelor's programs in fields like geography, psychology, and early education and care, as well as multiple online master's degree programs addressing areas of study such as dietetics, merchandising and chemical education.
SD State offers several different types of student support services for distance learners, such as Smartthinking online tutoring, academic and career advising, and technical support.
Founded as a teachers' college back in 1881, Dakota State University retains a link to the field of education, as well as technological subjects such as computer management and computer information systems. The university states that they combine their two specialties in order to put particular focus on educating would-be teachers how to use technology in the classroom.
There are many different degree programs available at DSU depending on what state you're enrolling from, from online associate degree programs and undergraduate certificate programs all the way up to online doctoral degree programs and graduate certificate programs. DSU's online courses are taught both synchronously and asynchronously, and their students must take proctored exams through an approved testing center.
Northern State University is a public university that was founded in the early 1900s to serve residents of the northeastern section of South Dakota. It is also home to the Center for Statewide E-Learning, which was established in 2001 to provide residents in remote areas with increased options for higher education.
NSU distance learners can choose from a variety of undergraduate degree programs, delivered online via the Desire2Learn learning management system. Areas of study include banking and financial services, international business, and management, to name a few. Graduate students can enroll in one of NSU's online master's degree programs; examples include teaching and learning, leadership and administration, and music education.
Dakota Wesleyan University wants to help students play to their strengths, and they strive for this goal in multiple ways. The university uses the Clifton StrengthsFinder to help students identify their strengths and how to improve them; hosts the Kelley Center for Entrepreneurship and the McGovern Center for Leadership and Public Service to help students network; and offers multiple online degree programs through its online portal, DWU Online.
Students can complete various degree programs through DWU Online, including a RN-to-BSN nursing program, an M.A. in education or an M.B.A. program. Coursework delivered through DSU Online is asynchronous, so students can study when it best fits their schedule.
The only college in the world sponsored by the Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Presentation College is a private Catholic institution that's steeped in faith and traditions. The college offers a handful of online programs focused on health care and nursing, among them a Bachelor of Science in health care administration; a bachelor's degree completion program in radiologic technology; and an RN-to-BSN nursing bridge program.
Support services for distance learners include academic advising and counseling, as well as access to the Career and Learning Center for tutoring. All degree-completion programs offered at Presentation College are intended for students who already hold an associate degree (or higher).
A public university that hosted training operations for Air Corp Cadets during World War II, Black Hills State University delivers online coursework to its students through the Desire2Learn learning management system. In addition to individual online courses, BHSU makes multiple online degree programs available to its students, such as a bachelor's of general studies program, a master's of strategic leadership program or a master's of sustainability program. A handful of minors and certificates can also be pursued through this university.
Students who enroll in BHSU's online learning have the same resources available to them as students on campus, including library services, a counseling center, writing center, career services and more.
Accreditation:
Location:
1200 University St,Augustana University is affiliated with the Lutheran Church, and its mission is to educate its students in the core values of service, community and personal excellence. The core curriculum at this private, Norwegian-heritage institution includes study in Christian religious traditions and personal well-being.
Augustana offers a handful of undergraduate classes online, primarily during the summer and winter break periods. It also offers a fully online Master of Arts in education program for students who hold a bachelor's degree in education. This M.A. program has several different concentrations, including technology, reading, instructional strategies and special populations, among others. The program runs for approximately 19 months, and a thesis is not required.
This private, nonprofit, liberal arts university is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches, U.S.A. and uses online and on-campus learning methods to convey a Christian-inspired education to its students. Faith and academics are integrated in the university's online degree programs, which include bachelor's degree programs, master's degree programs and professional certificate programs. Professional development courses, continuing education, alternative certification, degree completion programs and an RN-to-BSN nursing bridge program are also available.
Accreditation:
Location:
1101 W 22nd St,Affectionately known as "Mines," the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology was founded in 1885 to educate South Dakotan students about the region's primary industry: mining. The school's focus has broadened since those early days, however, as have the school's methods of delivering education to its students.
Through online learning, SD Mines is able to make a handful of its master's degree programs available for distance learners. These programs are designed for students who have already earned a bachelor's degree in science or engineering, or experience in a closely-related field. Most online coursework is delivered directly by the course instructors, but the master's in construction engineering and management program uses the D2L course management system instead.
Accreditation:
Location:
501 E Saint Joseph St,Founded in 1965, Lake Area Technical Institute was the first technical college in South Dakota. This public college offers several "e-degrees" -- hybrid programs that blend online and on-campus learning. The hybrid format allows students flexibility in their class time and assignments, while still offering the opportunity for hands-on training and/or clinical work at the Watertown campus.
Students who are interested in an e-degree must complete a LATI-specified online student orientation and "online learning essentials" course prior to beginning their program. Certain programs at the college don't follow the typical fall or spring start dates, either -- students should check with the campus to determine the start date for the e-degree they wish to pursue.
The following list presents several of the schools in South Dakota where you can attain online degrees at low tuition costs. These selections were made based on a number of factors that are important to prospective students such as the actual degree programs that are taught online, and information on tuition fees and accreditation. Tuition figures are sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and reflect in-state tuition (when in-state tuition is available) for all students, including online students.
South Dakota does not currently offer students any state-based loans. However, if you find that you are in need of financial assistance, you should fill out the FAFSA and supply information about your family's financial situation in order to qualify for federal grants, loans and other programs. It's also wise to explore any and all scholarship and grant opportunities for which you are eligible, since those do not have to be repaid. Lastly, private student loans are available to help cover any leftover costs.
Learn more about student loans in the Ultimate Guide to Student Loans.
Certain colleges and universities in South Dakota offer lower out-of-state tuition rates to non-resident students from neighboring states who meet a specific set of criteria. Here's a quick list of institutions that offer such agreements and the eligible origins of their out-of-state students:
There are also some regional programs that can help bring out-of-state tuition down closer to resident levels. The Western Undergraduate Exchange program allows students from 15 western states to get a break on the cost of attendance at South Dakota universities.
It's always best to have as much information as possible before making big decisions about your education, so try to find a Net Price Calculator for your destination school and chat with an adviser or registrar about your options.
Earning a college degree is an important first step to landing many of the most needed jobs in South Dakota. The data in this section drills down into average salaries, statewide employment and job projections for many of the top jobs in South Dakota. This information can help students at online colleges in the state choose a major that offers the most potential for employment after graduation.
| Employment | Employment Growth | Median High School Salary | Median Bachelor's Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
*Industry rankings determined by annual mean wage, employment, projected growth and location quotient. Data sourced from the BLS, 2019 dataset.
Agriculture and ranching are among the leading industries in South Dakota — in 2018 the state had far more cattle (4.05 million), turkeys (4.25 million) and hogs (1.74 million) than people (882,000). South Dakota is a major producer of rye, sunflowers, honey, soybeans, corn and wheat as well. However, farming and ranching are just a part of South Dakota's varied economy. Perhaps one of the more surprising industries in South Dakota is pipeline transportation.
Oil extraction and production is limited to a small portion of the western corner of the state. However, the state still has many liquefied natural gas pipelines traversing the state — liquefied petroleum gas, fuel oil and kerosene heat more than 20 percent of all South Dakota homes. Part of this is due to the massive petroleum extraction of neighboring North Dakota, which must be transported throughout the rest of the U.S. and goes through South Dakota to do it. As such, pipeline transportation is the No.1 most in demand industry for not just South Dakota, but North Dakota as well.
Pipeline transportation careers aren't the only hot jobs in South Dakota, though. The state's largest private industry sectors include finance, insurance, real estate, advanced manufacturing and especially healthcare. Many of the state's rural areas are medically underserved, which creates ample opportunity for professionals to work in both regional and metropolitan hospitals, as well as smaller physician offices, health clinics and managed care facilities.
However, what's true of the state as a whole is not always the same as the cities that make it up. Below we take a closer look at some of the best jobs in South Dakota's main metropolitan regions, and how they might be different — or the same — as the outlook for the state as a whole.
Some of the many key industries in Sioux Falls include food processing, finance, advanced manufacturing and transportation. Companies in these sectors require a variety of skilled professionals to run their businesses, including management analysts and sales representatives.
The city's healthcare industry, however, is perhaps the most prominent employer in the area. The largest employers in the Sioux Falls region, such as Sanford Health and Avera Health, have created a strong demand for physician assistants, nurse anesthetists and pharmacists.
| Best Careers | Minimum Education | Average Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacists | Doctoral or professional degree | $116,310 | 550 |
| Management Analysts | Bachelor's degree | $79,900 | 1,350 |
| Physician Assistants | Master's degree | $108,330 | 190 |
| Nurse Anesthetists | Master's degree | $198,080 | 210 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | Bachelor's degree | $104,520 | 720 |
*Career rankings determined by annual mean wage, employment, projected growth and location quotient. Data sourced from the BLS, 2019 dataset.
Nurse anesthetists, registered nurses and physician assistants have all proven to be high demand jobs in Rapid City. Regional Health, the largest healthcare employer in Rapid City, was short 186 nurses in 2018, despite employing more than 1,200 RNs.
Manufacturing and technology are also creeping into prominence in this section of South Dakota. The demand for civil engineers and power transmission workers is increasing as companies like B9Creations and VRC Metal Systems bring high-tech growth potential into the Rapid City area.
| Best Careers | Minimum Education | Average Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetists | Master's degree | $254,860 | 260 |
| Registered Nurses | Bachelor's degree | $138,000 | 38,580 |
| Physician Assistants | Master's degree | $126,810 | 1,360 |
| Civil Engineers | Bachelor's degree | $120,110 | 10,930 |
| Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | High school diploma or equivalent | $111,740 | 740 |
*Career rankings determined by annual mean wage, employment, projected growth and location quotient. Data sourced from the BLS, 2019 dataset.