Best Nursing Schools in South Dakota

South Dakota's best nursing schoolsDo you want to become a nurse in South Dakota? If so, you may want to think about pursuing a nursing degree to start your career. There are many nursing schools in South Dakota, especially in big cities like Rapid City and Sioux Falls. If you would rather learn on your own at home, you will need to look for a nursing school online. No matter what you choose to do, you could enter this profession in just a few short years.

How to Become a Nurse in South Dakota

While it is possible to become a nursing assistant without a formal education, most employers want to see that you have a diploma or degree before applying for work. You need to think about what kind of nurse you want to become and then find a degree program that is going to help you get into that career. Look for a school that is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) just to make sure you have a good education. Then all you have to do is get through your degree.

Common degree programs for nurses in South Dakota include:

  • Diploma of Nursing (DN): 1 year
  • Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN): 2 years
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): 4 years
  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): 6 years
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): 8+ years

After you have completed your degree program, you can apply for your nursing license from the South Dakota Board of Nursing. This will verify that you know what you are doing as a nurse, and it will allow you to apply for a wide variety of jobs in SD. You could also get a certification or two that relate to your nursing profession, and that will improve your employability even further.

Tuition for South Dakota Nursing Schools

Tuition rates in South Dakota vary from one nursing school to the next. Most students choose to go to community colleges when they first begin their education because they offer the lowest tuition rates in the state. The statistics below show the average tuition rates per year in South Dakota, thanks to data from the College Board.

  • Public Two Year College: $5,797 per year
  • Public Four Year University: $7,717 per year
  • Private Four Year University: $24,761 per year

Job Prospects for South Dakota Nurses

If you are worried about job security, nursing could be the stress relief you’re looking for. This is one of the few careers in America that are always in high demand, both in rural communities and in big cities. The amount of money you make will depend on what kind of nurse you become. Here are some salary statistics from the BLS:

  • Nursing Assistant: $23,080 per year
  • Licensed Practical Nurse: $34,370 per year
  • Registered Nurse: $52,480 per year
  • Nurse Practitioner: $88,130 per year

Top Nursing Schools in South Dakota

South Dakota State University

South Dakota State University is located in Brookings, South Dakota, and provides students with a thriving atomosphere where students are able to aspire toward excellence. This is accomplished by having faculty and staff who also aspire towards excellence as instructors and in their personal lives. SDSU’s diverse academic programs of majors, minors, and specializations give students plenty of opportunities to discover what they enjoy, and where they will find the most success. The schools programs are accredited and designed to help students to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation.

  • Location: Brookings, SD
  • Degree Level: Bachelor’s
  • Tuition (Resident): $10,542
  • Tuition (Non-Resident): $21,296
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Type of School: Private
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • South Dakota State University Nursing Programs: RN refresher course, LPN refresher course, BS/BSN, MSN, PhD in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice

Dakota Wesleyan University

Dakota Wesleyan University is located in Mitchell, South Dakota, and its academic excellence has been offered for over 130 years. The university is deeply embedded within United Methodist traditions and values. These values are rooted in lifelong learning, leadership development, genuine desire to serve others, and to explore ones faith. Students are not seen as a number, but as an opportunity to help assist a student to develop their individual strengths and talents.

  • Location: Mitchell, SD
  • Degree Level: Bachelor’s
  • Tuition: $325/credit hour
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Type of School: Private
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Dakota Wesleyan University Nursing Programs: RN to BSN, LPN to BS

University of South Dakota

University of South Dakota is located in Vermillion, South Dakota whose campus has been called “elegant,” “eye-cathcing,” and “naturally beautiful.” The university climate is said to be a big university with a small-college feel. University of South Dakota is dedicated to continue to provide students with world-class academics in and out of the classroom.

  • Location: Vermillion, SD
  • Degree Level: Bachelor’s
  • Tuition (Resident): $8,457
  • Tuition (Non-Resident): $11,688
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Type of School: Private
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • University of South Dakota Nursing Programs: ASN, BSN, RN to BSN, LPN to BS, LPN to RN

Augustana College

Augustana College is located in Sioux Falls, SD. The college is a private liberal arts college that is selective pertaining to its student body. The college was founded by Swedish settlers in 1860. The college is centered around its faith and making sure students are provided with the best opportunities to learn, strengthen talents, and increase in knowledge and skills that will benefit their future.

  • Location: Sioux Falls, SD
  • Annual Tuition: $39,621
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Student Enrollment: 2,500
  • Type of School: Private
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Augustana College Programs: Accelerated BSN programs, BS/BSN, MSN

Lake Area Technical Institute

Lake Area Technical Institute is located in Watertown, South Dakota. The institute’s educational aspiration is to make sure students are able to land a job upon graduation in a high-demand career. This is accomplished by offering cutting-edge courses that keep graduates engaged and happy while learning. The Institute was founded in 1965 as the first technical institute in South Dakota which now offers 28 programs. The mission of LATI is, “‘superior, comprehensive technical education that changes lives and launches careers.”

  • Location: Watertown, SD
  • Annual Tuition: $160 – $1,000 (Dependent upon program)
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Student Enrollment: 2,000+
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: Yes
  • Lake Area Technical Institute Nursing Programs: LPN, Nursing Assistant

Mount Mary College

Mount Mary College, located in Yankton, South Dakota has now been offering an optimal learning environment for more than a century. The college was established in 1913, and is still dedicated/committed to nurturing women into becoming bold and brilliant.

  • Location: Yankton, SD
  • Annual Tuition: $13,640
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Student Enrollment: 1,000+
  • Type of School: Private
  • College Accredited: No
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • Mount Mary College Nursing Programs: Pre-Nursing, RN to BSN

Oglala Lakota College

Oglala Lakota College is located in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, and opened its doors to student in 1971 with its first graduating associates class in 1974. The schools mission is to increase the livelihood in Lakota. The college offers certificates, GEDs, associates, bachelors, and graduate degrees that allow students to gain knowledge, increase their skills, and eventually obtain jobs in the community. The nursing program provides students essential skills to respond to to patients needs with relevant knowledge and skills.

  • Location: Pine Ridge, SD
  • Annual Tuition: $13,640
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: No
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • Oglala Lakota College Nursing Programs: Associate

Presentation College

Presentation College is located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, and was established in 1951 with a professions focus for undergraduate studies: nursing, business, arts & sciences, and social & behavioral sciences. The college challenges its students to be committed toward academic excellence.

  • Location: Aberdeen, SD
  • Block Tuition (12-18 credits): $18,710
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Student Enrollment: 700+
  • Type of School: Private
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • Presentation College Nursing Programs: Associate, BS/BSN, LPN-to-BSN, RN-to-BSN