The Top Nursing Schools in South Dakota

Nurses are in high demand in South Dakota. Find out the best nursing program in South Dakota for your goals and background and how earn a license. This guide also describes job and salary prospects in the state.

There are three fully approved nursing schools in South Dakota that offer an associate degree in nursing (ADN) and two more with interim approval. For a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), there are seven fully accredited nursing programs in South Dakota.

Our Methodology: We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best nursing schools in South Dakota, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.

If you plan to attend nursing school in South Dakota, consider which degree you want (ADN or BSN) and the school’s cost and your financial aid options. Also, consider the program quality and reputation, the NCLEX pass rate, school size, and the acceptance and graduation rates.

If you will be attending an online or hybrid nursing school in South Dakota, make sure you can get clinical placement for online nursing students in your own community.

This guide only lists accredited nursing programs, because of the high risks in attending an unaccredited program.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 13% job growth rate from 2022-2032 for registered nurses in Sourth Dakota, much higher than the national average growth of 6% for RNs.

Nursing school costs in South Dakota are less than average, helping you save on tuition. The University of South Dakota has one of the nation’s lowest out-of-state rates for four-year public programs at $12,940.

In addition, South Dakota is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, so once you graduate from nursing school in South Dakota, you can apply for a multistate license valid in any of the 37 participating states. The NCLEX-RN pass rate is 92.4%, well above the national average of 86.6%.

South Dakota is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the country, including the legendary Black Hills and Badlands. If you want to work with under-served populations, South Dakota is home to two of the most impoverished Native American reservations. Nurses working in these areas are eligible for loan forgiveness or scholarships.

In South Dakota, the average salary for RNs is 69,030, which is lower than the RN national average salary of about $94,000, according to the BLS. NPs in the state earn higher average salaries of $120,980, but this figure also trails behind the national average NP salary of about $128,000.

With the rise in remote work and employees looking for cities with high quality of life and lower costs of living, South Dakota’s population is growing. In 2021, SmartAsset rated Sioux Falls as the best city for young professionals, driven by low rent, unemployment rates, and a high number of entertainment options.

If you like outdoor recreation and access to stunning scenery, you can find amazing hiking in Badlands National Park and the Black Hills, both within driving distance of bigger cities.

All states require registered nurses to have a degree from an accredited nursing school, a passing grade on the applicable national examination, and a criminal background check. Most require continuing education to renew a license, but South Dakota is one of the few that requires active employment as a nurse instead.

RNs in South Dakota earn an average annual salary of around $69,000, while NPs in the state earn a higher average annual salary of about $120,000.

Nurses are in very high demand in South Dakota. The BLS projects that RN jobs in the state will grow 13% from 2022-2032, which is much higher than the average 6% growth for RNs nationwide.

It takes two years to earn an ADN and four years for a BSN degree. The state board of nursing processes completed applications in about 10 working days. You can receive a temporary license once your application and criminal background check are completed.

You must have an ADN or a BSN from an accredited nursing school in South Dakota or another state, pass the NCLEX-RN examination, and complete a criminal background check. If you have a multistate license, you are eligible to practice in South Dakota, since it is an NLC state.