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2023 Best Nursing Schools in South Dakota

12 Schools Ranked
$43,074 Average Earnings
$24,172 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
198 Total Awards
$80,285 Average Earnings
$63,778 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Mount Marty University the best school in South Dakota for nursing students working on their degree. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Yankton, South Dakota, and it awarded 198 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $63,778 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Mount Marty, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $80,285 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Mount Marty University

#2

Augustana University

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
818 Total Awards
$40,631 Average Earnings
$20,160 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Augustana University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in South Dakota list. Sioux Falls, South Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 818 students in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $20,160 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Augustana Sioux Falls graduates make an average of $40,631 annually.

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#3

Lake Area Technical Institute

Watertown, South Dakota
793 Total Awards
$36,525 Average Earnings
$13,201 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Lake Area Technical Institute. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in South Dakota list. Located in Watertown, South Dakota, the small public school handed out 793 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from LATI accumulate an average of $13,201 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.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
2,703 Total Awards
$45,741 Average Earnings
$27,285 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend South Dakota State University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in South Dakota list. South Dakota State is a fairly large public school situated in Brookings, South Dakota. It awarded 2,703 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $27,285 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $210.After graduating from South Dakota State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,741 during the early years of their career.

Full South Dakota State University Report

#5

Southeast Technical College

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
797 Total Awards
$39,912 Average Earnings
$15,006 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 12 schools in South Dakota that were part of this year’s ranking, Southeast Technical College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Southeast Tech is a small public school situated in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It awarded 797 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,006 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Southeast Tech graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,912 during the early year of their career.

Full Southeast Technical College Report

#6

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
2,132 Total Awards
$48,161 Average Earnings
$29,872 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #6, University of South Dakota did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Located in Vermillion, South Dakota, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,132 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $29,872 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $171, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, USD graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,161 during the early year of their career.

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#7

University of Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
586 Total Awards
$40,299 Average Earnings
$22,340 Avg Student Debt

University of Sioux Falls ranked #7 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in South Dakota list. University of Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It awarded 586 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,340 in student loans.After graduating from University of Sioux Falls, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,299 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on University of Sioux Falls

#8

Western Dakota Technical Institute

Rapid City, South Dakota
377 Total Awards
$37,539 Average Earnings
$15,628 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. Western Dakota Tech is a small public school situated in Rapid City, South Dakota. It awarded 377 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $15,628 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Western Dakota Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,539 during the early years of their career.

Full Western Dakota Technical Institute Report

#9

Dakota Wesleyan University

Mitchell, South Dakota
230 Total Awards
$50,275 Average Earnings
$26,342 Avg Student Debt

Dakota Wesleyan University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in South Dakota list. Mitchell, South Dakota is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 230 students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,342 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Dakota Wesleyan University graduates make an average of $50,275 annually.

Read full report on Dakota Wesleyan University

#10

Mitchell Technical College

Mitchell, South Dakota
464 Total Awards
$40,678 Average Earnings
$12,522 Avg Student Debt

Mitchell Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in Mitchell, South Dakota, the small public school awarded 464 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,522 in student loans. 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.

Read full report on Mitchell Technical College

#11

Oglala Lakota College

Kyle, South Dakota
165 Total Awards
$42,569 Average Earnings

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. Oglala Lakota College is located in Kyle, South Dakota and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 165 degrees to qualified students.

After graduating from Oglala Lakota College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,569 during the early years of their career.

Full Oglala Lakota College Report

#12

National American University - Rapid City

Rapid City, South Dakota
332 Total Awards
$42,187 Average Earnings
$27,065 Avg Student Debt

National American University - Rapid City landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. National American University - Rapid City is a small private for-profit school situated in Rapid City, South Dakota. It awarded 332 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,065 in student loans.After graduating from National American University - Rapid City, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,187 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

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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