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Best Nursing Schools in South Dakota

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2023 Best Nursing Schools in South Dakota

12 Schools Ranked
$42,570 Average Earnings
$27,747 Avg Student Debt

It's not easy to decide which nursing program to enroll in when you have so many options available. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Also there are many trade schools and bpptcamp that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

The Best Nursing Schools in South Dakota ranking is one of many tools that Nursing Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 12 schools in South Dakota to see which ones offered the best programs for nursing students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Nursing Schools in South Dakota

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Mount Marty University

Yankton, South Dakota
$80,285 Average Earnings
$31,631 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Mount Marty University to be the best school for nursing students in South Dakota.

Degree recipients from Mount Marty accumulate an average of $31,631 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Mount Marty graduates make an average of $80,285 annually.

Full Mount Marty University Report

#2

Augustana University

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
$40,631 Average Earnings
$26,115 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Augustana University is a great place for nursing students.

Degree recipients from Augustana Sioux Falls accumulate an average of $26,115 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Augustana Sioux Falls graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,631 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#3

Lake Area Technical Institute

Watertown, South Dakota
$36,525 Average Earnings
$16,395 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Lake Area Technical Institute helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in South Dakota.

Degree recipients from LATI accumulate an average of $16,395 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $115 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from LATI, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,525 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Lake Area Technical Institute

#4

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
$45,741 Average Earnings
$24,048 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at South Dakota State University helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in South Dakota.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,048 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $173, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, South Dakota State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,741 during the early year of their career.

Full South Dakota State University Report

#5

Southeast Technical College

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
$39,912 Average Earnings
$20,379 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Southeast Technical College is a great place for nursing students.

Degree recipients from Southeast Tech accumulate an average of $20,379 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Southeast Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,912 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Southeast Technical College

#6

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
$48,161 Average Earnings
$26,040 Avg Student Debt

University of South Dakota landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

Degree recipients from USD accumulate an average of $26,040 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $156, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from USD, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,161 during the early years of their career.

Full University of South Dakota Report

#7

University of Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
$40,299 Average Earnings
$24,830 Avg Student Debt

University of Sioux Falls did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #7 on the list.

On average, students take out $24,830 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, University of Sioux Falls graduates make an average of $40,299 annually.

Read full report on University of Sioux Falls

#8

Western Dakota Technical Institute

Rapid City, South Dakota
$37,539 Average Earnings
$19,757 Avg Student Debt

Western Dakota Technical Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #8 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,757 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Western Dakota Tech graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,539 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Western Dakota Technical Institute

#9

Dakota Wesleyan University

Mitchell, South Dakota
$50,275 Average Earnings
$30,274 Avg Student Debt

Dakota Wesleyan University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in South Dakota list.

On average, students take out $30,274 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Dakota Wesleyan University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,275 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Dakota Wesleyan University

#10

Mitchell Technical College

Mitchell, South Dakota
$40,678 Average Earnings
$14,782 Avg Student Debt

Mitchell Technical College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in South Dakota list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,782 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $156 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Mitchell Tech graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,678 during the early year of their career.

Full Mitchell Technical College Report

#11

Oglala Lakota College

Kyle, South Dakota
$42,569 Average Earnings
$9,450 Avg Student Debt

Oglala Lakota College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #11 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,450 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Oglala Lakota College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,569 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Oglala Lakota College

Best Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 12 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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