South Dakota has six main colleges producing BSN graduates, serving a largely rural state where nurses are in high demand. This guide ranks them using official federal data and reviews the top 5.
Imagine you want to train as a nurse in South Dakota, where large distances and small towns shape health care. Your options range from a large public university in Brookings to small private colleges in Sioux Falls and Yankton. Here is how they compare.
How we ranked these schools
We used the latest official data from the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard. We included colleges in South Dakota that award a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), and ranked those producing at least 20 BSN graduates a year by their graduation rate. We also show how much their nursing graduates earn and what tuition costs. Graduation rates are for each college as a whole, not nursing students alone.
South Dakota nursing schools ranked (2026)
| Rank | College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Augustana University | Sioux Falls | Private nonprofit | 73% | 42 | $74,901 | $41,768 |
| 2 | University of Sioux Falls | Sioux Falls | Private nonprofit | 64% | 38 | $75,617 | $22,900 |
| 3 | Mount Marty University | Yankton | Private nonprofit | 63% | 22 | $69,309 | $35,775 |
| 4 | South Dakota State University | Brookings | Public | 62% | 315 | $75,668 | $9,554 |
| 5 | University of South Dakota | Vermillion | Public | 60% | 126 | $74,978 | $9,687 |
| 6 | Dakota Wesleyan University | Mitchell | Private nonprofit | 54% | 42 | $74,071 | $34,540 |
Top South Dakota nursing schools reviewed
1. Augustana University
Augustana University in Sioux Falls is a private Lutheran university with a well-regarded BSN programme and the highest graduation rate on our South Dakota list.
- Graduation rate: 73%, number 1 in South Dakota on our list
- Programme size: about 42 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $74,901 one year after graduating
- Cost: $41,768 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 68%
2. University of Sioux Falls
The University of Sioux Falls is a private Christian university in the state’s largest city, offering a BSN with clinical training at Sioux Falls hospitals.
- Graduation rate: 64%, number 2 in South Dakota on our list
- Programme size: about 38 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, a smaller programme with a more personal feel
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $75,617 one year after graduating
- Cost: $22,900 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 83%
3. Mount Marty University
Mount Marty University in Yankton is a small private Catholic university offering a BSN.
- Graduation rate: 63%, number 3 in South Dakota on our list
- Programme size: about 22 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, a smaller programme with a more personal feel
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $69,309 one year after graduating
- Cost: $35,775 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 43%
4. South Dakota State University
South Dakota State University in Brookings is the state’s largest public university and by far its largest producer of BSN graduates, with sites in several cities.
- Graduation rate: 62%, number 4 in South Dakota on our list
- Programme size: about 315 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, the largest BSN programme in South Dakota
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $75,668 one year after graduating
- Cost: $9,554 in-state tuition ($13,166 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 98%
5. University of South Dakota
The University of South Dakota in Vermillion is a public university offering a BSN within its health sciences school.
- Graduation rate: 60%, number 5 in South Dakota on our list
- Programme size: about 126 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $74,978 one year after graduating
- Cost: $9,687 in-state tuition ($13,299 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 99%
Studying nursing in South Dakota: what to know
South Dakota’s two largest health systems are based in Sioux Falls and Rapid City, but many nurses work in critical access hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities in rural communities and on tribal lands. Rural placements and nurse residency programmes help new graduates build broad clinical skills. As a Nurse Licensure Compact state, South Dakota allows nurses with a multistate licence to work across neighbouring compact states.
Ways to become a registered nurse in South Dakota
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): a four-year degree, the route covered in this guide, preferred by many hospitals and required for most leadership and advanced roles.
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): a two-year programme, often at community colleges, leading to the same NCLEX-RN exam. Many nurses later complete an RN-to-BSN degree, often online and part-time while working.
- Accelerated BSN (ABSN): for people who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another subject, usually 12 to 18 months of intensive study.
- Direct-entry master’s (MSN): offered by some universities for graduates of other fields.
Whichever route you choose, you must graduate from an approved programme and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to be licensed by the South Dakota Board of Nursing. South Dakota is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate licence lets you practise in other compact states.
Frequently asked questions
How many colleges in South Dakota offer a BSN?
Based on the latest College Scorecard data, 6 colleges in South Dakota produce at least 20 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, together awarding around 585 BSN degrees annually. Some smaller programmes are not included.
Which South Dakota nursing school has the highest graduation rate?
Augustana University has the highest college-wide graduation rate on our list, at 73%.
Which is the largest nursing programme in South Dakota?
South Dakota State University produces the most bachelor’s nursing graduates in the state, about 315 a year.
How much do new BSN graduates earn in South Dakota?
Across the colleges listed, the median first-year earnings of bachelor’s nursing graduates range from $69,309 to $75,668, with a typical (median) figure of about $74,940. Earnings depend on where graduates work, their shift patterns and whether they were already working as nurses.
How much does a public nursing degree cost in South Dakota?
In-state tuition at the public universities on our list ranges from $9,554 to $9,687 a year, before fees, housing and financial aid.
But is a ranking enough to choose a school?
No ranking can tell you everything. Before you apply, also check:
- NCLEX pass rates: the South Dakota Board of Nursing publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for approved programmes. Look for consistently high rates over several years.
- Accreditation: make sure the BSN is accredited by CCNE or ACEN.
- Getting into the nursing major: many universities admit students as “pre-nursing” first. Ask what share progress into the nursing programme.
- Clinical placements: where students train and how placements are arranged.
- Total cost: use each college’s net price calculator to see your likely cost after financial aid.
Your next step: Shortlist three schools from the table, then check each programme’s NCLEX pass rate on the South Dakota Board of Nursing website before you apply.
Related: US nursing schools with the highest graduation rates · How to get into nursing school
Sources: US Department of Education College Scorecard (accessed November 2026), South Dakota Board of Nursing, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Figures change every year; always confirm with the college.
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