Compare BSN costs, NCLEX outcomes, and program formats at every accredited South Dakota nursing school.
More than half of South Dakota’s counties are designated primary care health professional shortage areas, and most of the state’s hospitals are Critical Access facilities. That geography has shaped a nursing education system defined by small cohort sizes, practical clinical rotations in rural settings, and a surprisingly wide cost spectrum. A BSN here can range from under $3,000 at a tribal college to over $40,000 at a private university. Traditional, accelerated, and RN-to-BSN pathways are all available, but not every format exists at every campus, and admission cutoffs often exceed the university’s general requirements. For students weighing debt against early-career pay, the state’s lower-than-average NCLEX pass rates at some schools add another layer of scrutiny.
These are the South Dakota nursing programs we recommend for the 2026 enrollment cycle, ordered with a focus on retention, student support, and affordability. The list includes four-year BSN options as well as strong associate degree and LPN-to-RN pathways.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Mitchell Technical College | Mitchell, SD | $10,000 – $15,000/yr (est.) | Working LPNs needing minimal campus time | |
Mitchell Technical College stands out as an efficient LPN-to-RN bridge that lets working licensed practical nurses complete most theory and general education online while doing one clinical day per week around Mitchell. The associate degree track is approved by the South Dakota Board of Nursing and leads to NCLEX-RN eligibility. It is a fit for LPNs who need to keep working while moving into registered nursing. Military benefits
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| #2 | Lake Area Technical College | Watertown, SD | ~$16,000/yr (est.) | Budget-conscious students seeking hybrid flexibility | |
Lake Area Technical College offers an 11-month registered nursing year that follows an LPN year or prerequisite coursework, with a hybrid E-Degree option that keeps most learning online. The program requires 41 credits in the RN year and includes 449 clinical hours, and credits transfer to the university system for students who later pursue a BSN. Its low tuition and structured format make it one of the most affordable ways to enter nursing in South Dakota.
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| #3 | Augustana University | Sioux Falls, SD | $20,000 – $25,000/yr (est.) | Holistic-focused BSN students in Sioux Falls | |
Augustana University's BSN is anchored in Sioux Falls, giving nursing students weekly clinical experience inside the region's largest healthcare systems. The program is distinguished by its holistic nursing endorsement and includes advanced simulation, leadership practicums, and study away options in Costa Rica, Norway, and Greece. It is a strong four-year route for students who want a residential campus experience and immediate exposure to Sanford and Avera clinical environments. CCNE accredited
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| #4 | South Dakota State University | Brookings, SD | $15,000 – $20,000/yr (est.) | ||
South Dakota State University delivers a public BSN with study locations in Brookings, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls and an online pathway, giving students flexibility across the state. The curriculum covers nursing major courses plus communication and sciences, and it prepares graduates for hospital and nonhospital practice, with alumni employed by major regional systems. It is a strong pick for South Dakota residents who want a public university BSN with broad career options.
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| #5 | Southeast Technical College | Sioux Falls, SD | $15,000 – $20,000/yr (est.) | ||
Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls offers an ACEN-accredited registered nurse program with fall, spring, and summer starts, including a part-time option and a streamlined LPN-to-RN track for licensed practical nurses with 750 hours of experience. The program emphasizes clinical placements in hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics, and transfer agreements make it easy to continue toward a BSN later. It is a practical, flexible route for students in the Sioux Falls area who want a shorter associate degree path.
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| #6 | University of South Dakota | Vermillion, SD | ~$20,000/yr (est.) | ||
The University of South Dakota offers a CCNE-accredited BSN on its Vermillion and Sioux Falls campuses, with clinical experiences each semester in urban and rural hospitals. Students train in simulation labs, can pursue undergraduate research and service learning in Guatemala, and may qualify for ROTC scholarships. This public flagship route is a strong fit for South Dakota residents seeking a research-oriented BSN with a low student-to-faculty ratio. CCNE accredited
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| #7 | University of Sioux Falls | Sioux Falls, SD | $21,000/yr (est. net price) | ||
The University of Sioux Falls combines a traditional BSN with an accelerated BSN option for students who already hold a degree or need a fast track. The program reports strong NCLEX pass rates and places students in high-volume Sioux Falls health systems from the first semester, using simulation technology and a nursing curriculum grounded in Christian values. It is a notable private option for students who want a cohort-based, clinically intense experience. CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
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| #8 | Western Dakota Technical College | Rapid City, SD | ~$13,000/yr (est.) | ||
Western Dakota Technical College in Rapid City serves western South Dakota with an LPN-to-RN 1+1 bridge that awards an Associate of Applied Science. The program includes an on-campus simulation center, flexible clinical shifts that mirror hospital scheduling, and Build Dakota Scholarship eligibility for qualifying students. It is a practical route for LPNs in the Black Hills region who want to stay local while becoming registered nurses.
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| #9 | Dakota Wesleyan University | Mitchell, SD | $15,000 – $20,000/yr (est.) | ||
Dakota Wesleyan University offers both a BSN on its Mitchell campus and an A.S. in Nursing hybrid pathway located at Monument Health in Rapid City. The BSN emphasizes high-tech simulation labs, rural clinical opportunities, and an Avera Achieve sponsorship, while the ASN is a 24-month, 72-credit hybrid option with no healthcare experience required. This dual pathway makes DWU a flexible private choice for students in central and western South Dakota. CCNE accredited
ACEN accredited
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| #10 | Mount Marty University | Yankton, SD | ~$22,000/yr (est.) | ||
Mount Marty University's BSN in Yankton provides hands-on clinical experience from the start, with specialties across pediatrics, maternity, medical-surgical, critical care, and community health. The CCNE-accredited program is grounded in Catholic Benedictine values and offers a direct entry path to the university's Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice program for exceptional students. It is a fit for students in southeastern South Dakota who want a faith-based, clinically focused four-year BSN. CCNE accredited
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Costs for BSN programs in South Dakota span a wide range, from just $2,684 in tuition at Oglala Lakota College to $40,160 at Augustana University. After factoring in average financial aid, net prices drop dramatically but still show a clear public-private divide, with public institutions offering net prices often below $16,000 and private colleges ranging from $19,735 to $23,894. Keep in mind that these net price figures are institution-wide averages and actual nursing student costs may differ.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price After Aid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oglala Lakota College | $2,684 | $2,684 | $1,895 |
| Western Dakota Technical College | $8,294 | $8,294 | $12,670 |
| Northern State University | $8,845 | $11,947 | $15,812 |
| Dakota Wesleyan University | $33,790 | $33,790 | $19,735 |
| University of South Dakota | $9,432 | $12,942 | $19,858 |
| University of Sioux Falls | $21,750 | $21,750 | $21,383 |
| Mount Marty University | $34,600 | $34,600 | $22,227 |
| Augustana University | $40,160 | $40,160 | $23,894 |
South Dakota nursing schools offer three main BSN pathways: the traditional four-year degree, an accelerated option for career changers with a prior bachelor’s, and an RN-to-BSN bridge for licensed nurses. If you’re wondering whether you can earn a BSN completely online in South Dakota, the short answer is that pre-licensure BSN programs require in-person clinicals, so fully online initial licensure tracks are not available. However, RN-to-BSN programs are commonly offered online and built around the schedules of working nurses.
| Traditional BSN | Accelerated BSN | RN-to-BSN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical Duration | 4 years (full-time) | 12-16 months (cohort-based) | 12-24 months (often part-time) |
| Ideal Student Profile | First-time college students or those with no prior nursing degree | Career changers holding a bachelor’s in another field | Licensed RNs with an associate degree or nursing diploma |
| Delivery Mode & Flexibility | On-campus, full-time cohort model | Intensive on-campus schedule; hands-on clinicals require in-person attendance | Often fully online with asynchronous classes, designed for working professionals |
| Clinical Requirements | 600-800+ clinical hours integrated over 2-3 years | Same total hours compressed into 12-16 months; rigorous pacing | Typically a capstone or community health project; minimal new clinical time since students are already licensed |
| Program Examples in South Dakota | Augustana University, University of South Dakota, Dakota Wesleyan University, Mount Marty University (all campus-based) | University of Sioux Falls (16 months, on-campus); SDSU discontinued its Aberdeen accelerated site after 2026 | South Dakota State University, University of South Dakota, and others typically offer online completion tracks (check current availability) |
The College Scorecard does not yet report program-specific median earnings at one or four years for BSN completers at these schools. Employment share and poverty threshold data are also unavailable. However, institutional outcomes provide a useful reference: the top-ranked program, Augustana University, reports a median salary of $59,217 a decade after enrollment.
Nursing students in South Dakota are increasingly weighing debt against early-career earnings before committing to a program. The numbers below compare median earnings of all graduates (not program-specific) with median federal loan debt to gauge whether the financial payoff justifies the cost. While nursing-specific outcome data is not yet published, campus-wide figures still signal which schools leave graduates with manageable debt relative to income.
We use a simple ratio: median institutional earnings divided by median total debt. A higher number means each dollar borrowed tends to come back faster through earnings. Because monthly payment data is not available, this ratio is your clearest snapshot of financial strain. Keep in mind that earnings here cover all majors, so nursing grads may differ.
Without program-level monthly payment data, it's hard to pin down a precise monthly bill. However, lower debt generally translates to lower monthly obligations. For context, the standard 10-year repayment plan costs roughly $100 to $150 per month for every $10,000 borrowed, depending on interest rates. Schools like Western Dakota Tech, with $15,000 median debt, likely produce payments under $200 per month, while a $27,000 debt load could push payments above $300. These differences add up over a career, so targeting low-debt programs can free up income for housing, savings, or further education.
South Dakota State University was not part of this specific ROI comparison, so we cannot directly assess its debt-to-earnings performance. Nursing applicants interested in SDSU should consult its NCLEX pass rates, clinical placement records, and financial aid information, all covered in other sections of this guide, to gauge overall value.
Nursing programs in South Dakota set admission standards that frequently exceed general university requirements, with limited seats making the process competitive even when overall institutional acceptance rates appear high.
A common starting point is a minimum GPA for prerequisite courses. Augustana University, for example, sets a 2.70 cumulative GPA threshold for nursing applicants, as outlined in its 2024-2025 undergraduate catalog. Notably, Augustana has no required entrance exam like the TEAS or HESI1, a distinction that simplifies the application but places extra weight on GPA and other materials.
Most other BSN programs in the state do incorporate standardized testing. While specific requirements vary by school, prospective students should expect to see the TEAS or HESI exam requested. The University of South Dakota’s nursing program, for instance, lists the HESI as part of its selection process. Always confirm current exam requirements directly with the program, since policies can shift between admissions cycles.
In addition to GPA and testing, all BSN programs require specific prerequisite courses, typically including anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and chemistry. Augustana University publishes its required courses online1, and similar lists are standard across South Dakota schools. Completing these with strong grades is a non-negotiable part of the admissions puzzle.
Overall admission rates do not tell the full story. The University of South Dakota admits roughly 99% of undergraduate applicants (institutional acceptance rate 98.78%), yet its BSN program is competitive, often requiring a strong academic profile beyond the university’s minimums. Mount Marty University shows a much lower institutional acceptance rate (42.57%), which aligns with nursing cohorts that are inherently small and selective. Augustana University’s overall 67.75% acceptance rate masks a nursing applicant pool where grades and science prerequisites drive decisions. These figures underscore that nursing-specific acceptance rates are consistently tighter than institutional benchmarks.
Limited clinical placements force most programs to cap cohort sizes. When qualified applicants outnumber seats, waitlists can form, sometimes delaying entry by a semester or more. Augustana’s nursing program, with its February 15 application deadline1, selects one cohort each fall, and competitive applicants are encouraged to apply early. Planning for a backup date or alternative program can be wise, especially if prerequisites still need completion.
NCLEX-RN pass rates are a quality indicator for nursing programs, showing how well graduates are prepared for licensure. Schools with consistently high rates often have strong curricula and clinical training. Below are the latest pass rates for South Dakota programs compared to state and national benchmarks.
Finding a nursing program that fits your location is the first step toward a career in South Dakota’s diverse healthcare settings. The state’s nursing schools extend far beyond its two largest cities, offering opportunities from tribal reservations and rural clinics to major medical centers. This practical guide helps you research programs by city and understand what matters most before you apply.
Begin with a direct visit to each school’s nursing department website. These pages list program formats, admission deadlines, and campus-specific offerings that third-party directories often miss. For example, the University of South Dakota offers its BSN both in-person and online, with campuses in Sioux Falls and Vermillion. Southeast Technical College, located in Huron, delivers an ADN program with transfer agreements to BSN degrees, while Northern State University is currently developing a new BSN path. If you live in or near tribal communities, programs like Oglala Lakota College’s Associate Degree in Nursing or Sitting Bull College’s practical nursing pathway provide culturally integrated training and may feed into broader pipeline initiatives, such as South Dakota State University’s American Indians into Nursing grant funded by the Indian Health Service.
A school’s location doesn’t always dictate where you’ll gain hands-on experience. Contact admissions or the clinical placement office to learn which hospitals and clinics they work with. In Rapid City, Monument Health often serves as a training site; programs that place students there can give you a strong local foothold. Similarly, rural programs may partner with Indian Health Service facilities or critical-access hospitals, exposing you to patient populations you’d otherwise rarely encounter. Always ask about placement logistics, especially if you’re balancing a job or family commitments.
For salary data and employment trends, rely on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Their website lets you compare national figures with state-specific registered nurse wages, helping you gauge return on investment by region. Professional associations like the South Dakota Nurses Association also publish workforce reports and can connect you with practicing nurses who share firsthand insights about working in a particular city or facility.
South Dakota nursing students can access over $1,000 in state-specific scholarships, with deadlines as early as October 1, and may qualify for full-tuition coverage through federal service programs.
The South Dakota Board of Nursing offers the Nurse Education Assistance Scholarship, a $1,000 award for students who have been state residents for at least one year. Applications for the 2025–2026 cycle close on October 1, 2025. The South Dakota Nurses Association Undergraduate Nursing Scholarship also provides $1,000; its deadline falls in October, and residency in the state is required.
For those committed to rural practice, the SDAHO Enterprises Nursing and Allied Health Professionals Scholarship supports students at South Dakota Board of Regents public universities who maintain a 3.0 GPA and intend to live and work in a rural area. Meanwhile, the South Dakota Community Foundation Health Sciences Scholarships use a common application to auto-match students with multiple awards; a 3.0 GPA is needed, making it efficient to apply.
The Nurse Corps Scholarship Program covers tuition, fees, and a monthly stipend. In exchange, recipients commit to work at a Critical Shortage Facility after graduation. Eligibility is limited to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Similarly, the National Health Service Corps offers loan repayment for nurses serving in underserved communities, many of which are rural South Dakota locations.
South Dakota participates in the Midwest Student Exchange Program, which allows residents of participating Midwestern states to enroll at South Dakota public universities at a reduced out-of-state tuition rate. This can significantly lower costs for non-residents pursuing a BSN.
Start by filing the FAFSA to unlock federal and institutional aid. Then, check with your school’s financial aid office for campus-specific scholarships. For the Nurse Education Assistance Scholarship, submit materials before October 1; the Nurses Association deadline is also in October. Complete the South Dakota Community Foundation’s common application early, and confirm your eligibility for the Nurse Corps program, which has its own application cycle. Reach out to hospital systems in Rapid City or Sioux Falls for additional patient-care scholarship opportunities.
Deciding where to earn your nursing degree in South Dakota involves many considerations, from cost to career outcomes. Below we answer the most common questions about nursing schools, program formats, and job prospects in the state.
What factors matter most when ranking nursing programs in South Dakota? Our approach weighs multiple data points to give a comprehensive picture of each school's value, from affordability to graduate outcomes.
The rankings combine several metrics into a weighted score. Each metric reflects what matters to nursing students.
We pull from publicly available datasets: the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, IPEDS, and direct submissions from schools. Because IPEDS data is institution-level, some metrics like graduation rates reflect the entire college rather than the nursing department. Similarly, net price is an average estimate across all undergraduates , your actual cost may differ based on transfer credits or program-specific fees. For full transparency on how each element is weighted, visit the rankings methodology page.
No ranking can capture every aspect of a program. Deliberately excluded from our scoring are:
This focused methodology helps you compare schools on measurable outcomes, but we recommend pairing these rankings with campus visits and conversations with current students to find the right fit.
