Cheapest Registered Nursing Colleges in South Dakota

South Dakota's nursing programs show a striking $6,504 gap between the cheapest and most expensive options, with South Dakota State University leading at just $18,219 net cost. The University of South Dakota accepts nearly every applicant at 99.46%, creating unusual accessibility for nursing students. These programs prepare graduates for South Dakota's growing healthcare sector, where major employers like Avera Health and Sanford Health drive demand for skilled nursing professionals across rural and urban markets.

Programs

$18,219 – $24,723

Net Price Range

$57,404

Avg. Program Earnings

60.6%

Avg. Graduation Rate

7 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	South Dakota State University Brookings, South Dakota	$18,219	$9,299	59.6%	86.1%
2	University of South Dakota Vermillion, South Dakota	$19,155	$9,432	61.4%	99.5%
3	Dakota Wesleyan University Mitchell, South Dakota	$19,300	$32,890	46.4%	74.8%
4	University of Sioux Falls Sioux Falls, South Dakota	$20,874	$20,740	60.5%	76.0%
5	National American University-Rapid City Rapid City, South Dakota	$22,086	$16,065	60.0%
6	Mount Marty University Yankton, South Dakota	$23,295	$33,100	60.6%	68.4%
7	Augustana University Sioux Falls, South Dakota	$24,723	$39,190	75.6%	65.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the University of South Dakota's nursing program stand out for affordability?

USD offers the second-lowest net cost at $19,155 while maintaining a 99.46% acceptance rate, making it highly accessible. Graduates earn $57,693 annually with a 61.40% graduation rate, providing strong value for the investment.

How do private nursing programs in South Dakota compare cost-wise to public options?

Private programs range from $19,300 to $24,723 in net costs, with some like Dakota Wesleyan surprisingly competitive against public schools. However, their actual tuition runs $20,740 to $39,190 compared to public in-state rates under $10,000.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in South Dakota nursing schools?

Augustana University shows the highest graduation rate at 75.60% but also carries the highest net cost at $24,723. Interestingly, some mid-priced programs like University of Sioux Falls achieve 60.50% graduation rates while keeping costs reasonable at $20,874.

More Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Rankings

Best Value Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in South Dakota Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Under $20,000 in South Dakota

All Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs Best Colleges in South Dakota Best Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in South Dakota

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.