Nursing Schools in South Dakota (2026)
21 accredited nursing programs found
South Dakota has 21 nursing-relevant schools in this directory, with 10 public and 11 private institutions. Average in-state tuition is $14,097, with public schools averaging $7,451 and private schools averaging $25,173. The 25th-to-75th-percentile tuition band runs from $7,650 to $16,065. The cheapest tracked program is Oglala Lakota College at $2,684 per year, and the largest by undergraduate enrollment is South Dakota State University at approximately 8,798.
Across South Dakota programs the average graduation rate is 54.1 percent and the average retention rate is 75.9 percent — both above the national medians for this directory. Median post-graduation earnings average $47,164 and median federal debt at graduation averages $18,600. The state's healthcare employer base is dominated by Sanford Health and Avera Health, two large multi-state systems anchored in Sioux Falls.
Registered Nurse Market in South Dakota
BLS wage and employment data for registered nurses
Registered Nurse Salary in South Dakota
Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024
Matches the South Dakota average of $14,097.
Matches the South Dakota average of 54.1%.
Matches the South Dakota median of $47,164.
Tuition Overview
| Avg Public Tuition | $7,451 |
| Lowest Tuition | $2,684 |
| Highest Tuition | $39,190 |
| Avg Private Tuition | $25,173 |
Student Outcomes
| Avg Graduation Rate | 54.1% |
| Avg Earnings After Grad | $42,790 |
| Avg Student Debt | $18,601 |
| Total Enrollment | 30,271 |
All Nursing Schools in South Dakota
| Institution | City | Type | Tuition (In-State) | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota State University | Brookings | Public | $9,299 | 8,798 |
| University of South Dakota | Vermillion | Public | $9,432 | 5,239 |
| Southeast Technical College | Sioux Falls | Public | $7,650 | 2,164 |
| Dakota State University | Madison | Public | $9,633 | 1,969 |
| Augustana University | Sioux Falls | Private | $39,190 | 1,818 |
| Lake Area Technical College | Watertown | Public | $6,718 | 1,710 |
| University of Sioux Falls | Sioux Falls | Private | $20,740 | 1,258 |
| Northern State University | Aberdeen | Public | $8,845 | 1,239 |
| Oglala Lakota College | Kyle | Public | $2,684 | 1,156 |
| Mitchell Technical College | Mitchell | Public | $7,524 | 953 |
| National American University-Rapid City | Rapid City | For-Profit | $16,065 | 832 |
| Western Dakota Technical College | Rapid City | Public | $8,008 | 733 |
| Mount Marty University | Yankton | Private | $33,100 | 702 |
| Dakota Wesleyan University | Mitchell | Private | $32,890 | 661 |
| Sinte Gleska University | Mission | Public | $4,714 | 579 |
| Stewart School | Sioux Falls | For-Profit | N/A | 148 |
| California Intercontinental University | Sioux Falls | For-Profit | $9,054 | 141 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Rapid City | Rapid City | For-Profit | N/A | 79 |
| The Salon Professional Academy | Rapid City | For-Profit | N/A | 65 |
| Sanford Medical Center | Sioux Falls | Private | N/A | 27 |
| Avera McKennan Hospital School of Radiologic Technology | Sioux Falls | Private | N/A | 0 |
Nursing Schools by City in South Dakota
Nursing Guides & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing schools are in South Dakota?
What is the average nursing school tuition in South Dakota?
What is the average graduation rate for nursing schools in South Dakota?
What is the average retention rate in South Dakota?
What do graduates from nursing schools in South Dakota earn?
What is the average student debt at nursing schools in South Dakota?
How much do registered nurses earn in South Dakota?
What is the RN job outlook for South Dakota?
South Dakota Nursing Market Context
BLS data for South Dakota shows an RN median annual wage of $62,310 and a mean of $65,570 — among the lowest in the country. The 10th to 90th percentile range runs from $47,270 to $87,610. Statewide RN employment is approximately 11,140 and the projected growth rate is 4 percent — below the national 6 percent figure.
Median program debt of $18,600 against a $62,310 RN median wage produces one of the tighter payback ratios in the directory. The 10th-percentile figure of $47,270 is well below the national 10th-percentile, and the 90th-percentile figure of $87,610 sits below the national RN median, indicating a compressed RN-tier wage ceiling. South Dakota's cost of living is low and the state has no income tax, both of which offset the wage gap meaningfully for graduates intending to remain in-state. Career mobility for experienced nurses often involves Sanford and Avera's regional networks across multiple states.