The Best Nursing Schools in South Dakota
South Dakota has three fully approved nursing schools offering an associate degree in nursing (ADN), plus two more with interim approval. Seven programs offer a fully accredited bachelor of science in nursing (BSN).
Lake Area Technical Institute runs a licensed practical nurse (LPN) program on campus or online, full or part time. The full-time track starts each August and takes 11 months; the part-time track starts in January and takes 22 months. Students learn to care for pediatric, surgical, and geriatric patients, and graduates can move into LATI's registered nurse program.
- Program: LPN
- Campus: Watertown
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Tuition: $124 per credit
- Admission Requirements: ATI TEAS exam; minimum 2.5 GPA; all prerequisite courses complete
- Minimum Time Commitment: 11 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 96.72%
Mitchell Technical Institute runs a 12-month LPN program covering obstetrical, psychiatric, and geriatric care. MTI does not require prerequisites up front; students complete them after enrolling.
- Program: LPN
- Campus: Mitchell
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Tuition: $124 per credit
- Admission Requirements: ACT score of 18 or above in all sections or ACCUPLACER equivalent; minimum 2.5 GPA; TEAS composite of 62% or higher
- Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
Mount Marty University offers a master of science in nursing (MSN) with a family nurse practitioner (FNP) track or an FNP postgraduate certificate. Coursework mixes online and on-campus classes, with a focus on rural and underserved communities.
- Program: MSN
- Campus: Yankton
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Tuition: $635 per credit
- Admission Requirements: BSN from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited program; minimum 3.0 GPA; current RN license with at least one year of practice (two preferred); three recommendation letters
- Minimum Time Commitment: 6 semesters
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
Sinte Gleska University offers an associate of applied science (AAS) in practical nursing and an LPN certificate, plus certified nursing assistant and medication aide certification. The AAS includes clinicals and teaches patient care from a holistic, culturally grounded approach.
- Program: AAS
- Campus: Mission
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Tuition: $1,320 per semester
- Admission Requirements: ACT score of 18 or higher or ACCUPLACER; first-year LPN prerequisites completed with a "B" average; minimum 3.0 GPA; current CNA or medication aide license
- Minimum Time Commitment: 6 semesters
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
South Dakota State University offers four postgraduate certificates: clinical nurse leader, nurse educator, family nurse practitioner (FNP), and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). All run online except the FNP, which is hybrid. The FNP and PMHNP certificates let nurses with a master's or doctorate qualify for certification in those specialties.
- Program: Postgraduate certificates in nursing
- Campus: Brookings
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Tuition: $340 per credit in-state; $648 per credit out-of-state
- Admission Requirements: Current RN license; BSN or MSN with minimum 3.0 GPA from an accredited institution; 1,500 hours of documented practice before the first clinical course
- Minimum Time Commitment: Varies by program
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 92.4%
The University of South Dakota offers an on-campus BSN, an on-campus LPN-to-BSN, and an online RN-to-BSN, with an 11-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Students complete at least one year at USD before applying to the nursing program.
- Program: BSN
- Campus: Vermillion
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Tuition: $7,773 for 30 credits in-state; $11,283 for 30 credits out-of-state
- Admission Requirements: Contact an academic advisor for program specifics
- Minimum Time Commitment: 120 credits
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 90.8%
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $57,690
Dakota Wesleyan University offers a 124-credit BSN in a liberal arts setting, with courses like health concepts and pharmacology for nursing care. The program runs on campus over four years and prepares graduates for the NCLEX.
- Program: BSN
- Campus: Mitchell
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Tuition: $1,023 per credit
- Admission Requirements: ACT of 19 or above or SAT of 900 or above; minimum 2.7 GPA; 3.0 GPA in nursing prerequisites
- Minimum Time Commitment: 4 years
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $57,600
How to Choose a Nursing Program in South Dakota
Decide which degree you want (ADN or BSN), then weigh cost and financial aid, program quality and reputation, NCLEX pass rate, school size, and acceptance and graduation rates. If you study online or hybrid, confirm you can get clinical placement in your community. Every program here is accredited.
Why Become a Nurse in South Dakota
The BLS projects 13% job growth for registered nurses in South Dakota from 2022 to 2032, well above the 5% the BLS projects nationally from 2024 to 2034.
Nursing school costs run below average here. The University of South Dakota has one of the lowest out-of-state rates for four-year public programs in the country at $12,940.
South Dakota is also a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, so a license here works as a multistate license across the 41 states in the compact. The state's NCLEX-RN pass rate is 92.4%, well above the national average of 86.6%.
For nurses drawn to underserved work, South Dakota is home to two of the most impoverished Native American reservations in the country, and nurses working in these areas can qualify for loan forgiveness or scholarships.
Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in South Dakota
South Dakota RNs earn an average of about $72,210 a year, the lowest of any state and well below the national RN median of $93,600, according to the BLS (May 2024). NPs in the state earn an average of about $121,000, also below the national NP median of $129,210. The state's cost of living index is 92, under the national index of 100.
Highest-Paying Cities for Nurses in South Dakota
| Metropolitan Area | Median RN Salary |
|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $61,770 |
| Rapid City | $61,540 |
| Sioux City | $60,160 |
Source: BLS
Steps to Becoming a Nurse in South Dakota
Every state requires a degree from an accredited nursing school, a passing grade on the national exam, and a criminal background check. Most require continuing education to renew, but South Dakota is one of the few that requires active employment as a nurse instead.
RN Requirements
Graduate from an ADN or BSN program, pass the NCLEX-RN, and complete a criminal background check with fingerprinting. If you attended a South Dakota program, the state board receives your transcripts automatically; otherwise, send an official copy. The application fee is $100, plus $25 for a temporary license once all paperwork and the background check are done.
APRN Requirements
For an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) license, you need an active, unencumbered South Dakota or multistate RN license, an accredited MSN or DNP, board certification in your specialty, and a background check. The board requires NPs to have at least 1,040 hours of NP practice or to work in collaboration with a licensed physician or NP. The fee is $100.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurses make in South Dakota?
RNs earn an average of about $72,000 a year and NPs about $121,000, both below the national RN median of $93,600 and NP median of $129,210, according to the BLS (May 2024).
Are nurses in demand in South Dakota?
Yes. The BLS projects RN jobs in the state will grow 13% from 2022 to 2032, well above the 5% projected nationally from 2024 to 2034.
How long does it take to become an RN in South Dakota?
An ADN takes about two years and a BSN about four. The state board processes completed applications in about 10 working days, and you can get a temporary license once your application and background check are done.
How do I get a nursing license in South Dakota?
Earn an ADN or BSN from an accredited school in South Dakota or another state, pass the NCLEX-RN, and complete a criminal background check. If you hold a multistate license, you can already practice in South Dakota, since it is an NLC state.