Best Nursing Schools in South Dakota for 2023

Nursing Degrees & Schools / Best Schools South Dakota

There are a lot of very good reasons for aspiring nurses to live in South Dakota. The state was ranked #15 in U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best States ranking, earning particularly high marks for its fiscal stability and magnificent natural environment. In a low cost-of-living state that has no income tax, no personal property tax, no business inventory tax, and no inheritance tax, a nursing salary can go a long way.

Attending one of the top nursing schools in South Dakota can set you up for success in numerous ways. You will receive excellent preparation for a career in nursing as seen in the South Dakota State Board of Nursing’s Annual Education Report, which noted that in 2020 the pass rate for all first-time NCLEX-RN test writers in South Dakota was 92.35% while the national pass rate for US educated first-time NCLEX-RN test writers was only 86.57%.

Additionally, there is a growing need for nurses in the state, and nurses graduating from one of its many top-notch schools have excellent prospects for being hired quickly.

South Dakota’s top nursing programs:

South Dakota State University
University of South Dakota
Augustana University
University of Sioux Falls
Dakota Wesleyan University
Presentation College

1. South Dakota State University – Score 72

NCLEX Pass Rate – 88.70%

Annual In-State Tuition: $9,300

Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $12,810

The nursing programs of South Dakota State University are available at four sites across the state and offer programming to accommodate a range of needs, including both a standard four-year BSN program and an accelerated 12-month program for baccalaureate degree holders in any field who wish to become nurses. They also boast an RN-to-BSN program that can easily be modified to streamline a journey to an MSN or even a DNP degree; an MSN program that offers options for nurses seeking advanced practice in nursing administration, clinical leadership, clinical practice, or education; and a DNP program offered for both clinical and non-clinical interests.

The school, which has a 54% graduation rate, makes significant effort to offer online flexibility in many of its programs, and focuses much of its teaching on serving rural and underserved communities.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

RN-to-BSN or RN-to-MSN (online)
BSN
Accelerated BSN
MSN
DNP

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2. University of South Dakota – Score 68

NCLEX Pass Rate – 90.60%

Annual In-state Tuition: $8,719

Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $11,283

The nursing program at the University of South Dakota has a graduation rate of 51%. It is known for offering small class sizes and highly specialized programs. Classes are offered in multiple locations as well as online, and the faculty strives to facilitate student success, as evidenced by its 100% job placement rate and its 90.6% NCLEX-RN pass rate for first time test takers. There is an emphasis on serving the state’s rural communities, and students are encouraged to participate in research such as the Pathway to Innovation, a 240-hour program which provides opportunities such as participating in health needs assessments for immigrants and studying the use of naloxone by first responders in response to opioid overdoses.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

BSN
RN-BSN (online)
DNAP
MSN (Nursing Informatics)
DNP

3. Augustana University – Score 62

NCLEX Pass Rate – 97.30%

Annual Tuition: $36,332

Augustana University is a small, private university located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It has a remarkable 75% graduation rate and its nursing students consistently have a higher NCLEX score than the rest of the state and nation. Its BSN program is a four-year program firmly rooted in a liberal arts education. The school also offers a full time post-baccalaureate program for students who have a college degree, have completed the prerequisite courses, and wish to earn a BSN. Augustana University’s MSN program launched in 2022. It is a two-year program with specialty tracks to become an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner or an Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialty. Both are offered on a part-time basis to allow students to continue to work while completing their degree.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

BSN
Accelerated BSN
MSN

4. University of Sioux Falls – Score 62

NCLEX Pass Rate – 87.00%

Annual Tuition: $19,440

The University of Sioux Falls offers two different tracks for students interested in becoming nursing professionals. This private Christian university has a graduation rate of 56% for its traditional four-year bachelor of science in nursing program as well as its accelerated BSN track for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing. Both programs are offered in person, and the accelerated program can be completed in less than two years, with new students starting classes each January and completing spring, summer, fall, and spring accelerated nursing classes.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

BSN
Accelerated BSN

5. Dakota Wesleyan University – Score 45

NCLEX Pass Rate – 88.90%

Annual Tuition: $30,700

Dakota Wesleyan University is a small, private college located in Mitchell, South Dakota. It offers two different paths to becoming a BSN: a full time, four-year traditional path that’s taught at its main location, and an LPN-to-BSN program for those who are ready to earn a baccalaureate degree and become a registered nurse. The LPN-to-BSN program is offered at the school’s Sioux Falls location and takes just 28 months to complete. The school has a 52% graduation rate.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

BSN
LPN-to-BSN

6. Presentation College – Score 42

NCLEX Pass Rate – 77.30%

Annual Tuition: $22,384

Presentation College’s nursing program offers its BSN program both in person and online formats. It also offers LPNs and registered nurses the opportunity to earn their BSN online and for BSN-degreed nurses to earn the FNP degree online. The Family Nurse Practitioner program is ideal for those who are working full time or who have family responsibilities that compete with their educational goals, as the six-semester program can begin whenever the student enrolls and can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Other online programs can be taken on either a full-time or part-time basis. The school has a 45% graduation rate and features small classes and the opportunity to participate in many community service projects in keeping with the school’s faith-based tradition and values.

CCNE-accredited programs offered:

BSN
LPN-to-BSN
RN-to-BSN
FNP

How to choose the right nursing program

Choosing the nursing school that’s right for you involves having a thorough understanding of all of your personal needs and goals. Each student is different: if you’re approaching your high school graduation, your nursing school experience will be far different from that of a registered nurse who is raising a family and ready to move on to a more advanced nursing role. Your selection process should consider your preferred campus setting and location; whether you prefer to take classes in person or online; your budget and the availability of financial aid; and where each school offers its hands-on training.

Whichever school you choose, you can be certain that your nursing education will provide the foundation you need for a successful career in a profession that’s built around caring.

Location

The top nursing schools in South Dakota are situated in all corners of the state, on campuses that have extremely small populations as well as those with a large student community. Your decision about which to choose may be swayed by whether you prefer a metropolitan setting or a suburban one, whether you have obligations that require you to stay close to your residence or workplace, and even whether you prefer to take your classes in person or online.

Tuition

The cost of nursing school is a major consideration for most students. While some programs are extremely affordable, others represent a major investment that may require applying for federal student aid, college loans, or tuition reimbursement from your employer. There are many scholarships that can help you with the cost of tuition, but it is rare for these types of grants or assistance to cover all costs.

NCLEX pass rate

When assessing different nursing programs, the NCLEX pass rate provides an objective measure of its graduates’ performance on their first big test: NCLEX stands for National Council Licensure Examination, and every aspiring registered nurse must pass the exam before receiving their state nursing license. Nursing schools whose graduates consistently have high pass rates for this critical test have a proven record of providing their students with a high quality education that meets the national criteria for nursing competence.

Programs offered

The path to a nursing career can take many twists and turns, with some choosing to enter the profession as quickly as possible, and others opting to devote many years to reaching the highest pinnacle of achievement in the field. No nurse is limited by the initial journey that they chose: you can always take more classes and earn a higher-level degree or an additional certification. Wherever you are in your nursing path, your investigation of nursing schools should always begin with finding out which schools offer the particular program that you’re looking for.

Graduation rate

A school’s graduation rate is a reflection of how many of its full-time, four-year students graduate within a six-year period of time. Though every school hopes to achieve a 100% graduation rate, the national average is only 60%, a number that reflects both student and family resources and issues with the institution itself. While there is little that nursing schools can do to eliminate the social issues that may lead a student to exit early, many schools work to offer support and guidance to counter this effect.

Next steps

Looking into the best nursing schools in South Dakota shows that you’re truly interested in your future. Now continue with that high energy approach by deciding which ones are right for you, visiting their eligibility pages to make sure you meet their criteria, and start preparing to apply. The more organized you are in your approach, the more efficient and in control you’ll feel, so make yourself a chart that reflects all of the required documentation and associated deadlines.

In addition to the information that the school needs from you, remember what you’ll need in order to attend: fill out the necessary financial aid forms, apply for any scholarships or grants, and apply for college loans.

Once you’ve completed your education and are ready to put all of your knowledge to good use, keep in mind that each state has its own licensing process and continuing education requirements you’ll need to keep up with. Most important of all, the steps that you’ve taken to advance your education will make you a stand-out nursing professional in South Dakota. If you have any state-specific questions about career opportunities, remember to reach out to our supportive community.