Nearly half of South Dakota's 10 fastest-growing jobs from 2022-2032 require at least an associate degree, according to CareerOneStop, a website sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. These include nurse practitioner, informations security analysts, and data scientists.
Here we rank the accredited online colleges in South Dakota that offer at least three affordable programs. Learn more about South Dakota's best online degrees, including transfer policies, financial aid, and how to enroll.
Featured Online Programs
Find a program that meets your affordability, flexibility, and education needs through an accredited, online school.South Dakota's Top Affordable Online Colleges
Why Choose South Dakota for Online Higher Education?
In South Dakota, online learning opens doors to higher education for residents of this sparsely populated state. Agricultural workers, rural residents, single parents, and part-time students with full-time jobs, among others, benefit from the flexibility of online courses. The state promotes online learning through its public institutions. These state schools offer a variety of online programs at affordable tuition rates to students from any state.
Cost of Attending an Online College in South Dakota
South Dakota's tuition costs are lower than the national average. In-state tuition for public four-year schools is slightly lower than the national average of $9,750, while the out-of-state rate is more than half the national average of $28,297.
The cost of online degree programs at South Dakota schools vary, but online degrees are typically cheaper compared to on-campus degrees. Some institutions offer the same tuition rates for both in-state and out-of-state students.
In-State Tuition and Fees
$9,079 – public, four-year institution$7,412 – public, two-year institution
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees
$12,987 – public, four-year institution$7,257 – public, two-year institution
Source: National Center for Education Statistics
Considering a South Dakota School as an Out-of-State Student
Non-South Dakota residents should visit the websites of their prospective schools to find out if they charge higher rates for nonresident students. Most do not, and South Dakota offers much lower out-of-state tuition rates than most states, even for traditional students. Students from nearby states can also benefit from tuition reciprocity agreements, though these do not generally apply to online programs. Regardless, South Dakota's affordable online programs attract many out-of-state students, as demonstrated below.
Tuition Discounts
South Dakota participates in several interstate compacts and reciprocity agreements that can provide lower tuition rates to out-of-state students. However, these agreements may not affect tuition at schools that charge the same rate to all online students, as many South Dakota schools do. South Dakota belongs to the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC), but it does not participate in its student exchange program.
Instead, through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement, all public and private schools in South Dakota have the option to participate in a regional compact for western states through the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WUE) — and many do. South Dakota received 1,761 students through WUE in the 2017-18 school year. Finally, Minnesota residents can benefit from a special reciprocity agreement with South Dakota, but this agreement may not apply to online programs.
State Authorizations for Online Learning
Each school in South Dakota may participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). Many do, and particularly those offering online programs to students from other states, because the agreement simplifies the requirements and fees for participating colleges. NC-SARA authorizes and oversees many of the online programs offered by schools in South Dakota.
Check with an admissions or financial officer. Tuition rates are ultimately program- and institution-based. Ask someone from a prospective program about the rates that apply to you specifically as a potential member of that program.
Frequently Asked Questions About South Dakota's Online Schools
To learn more about online degrees in South Dakota, start by exploring this FAQ resource roundup. These FAQs provide information about costs and requirements.
Online universities in South Dakota typically offer the same online rates to all students. All six public universities, for example, charge the same tuition for online credits to all students, regardless of which school they attend or their residency status. Online credits in South Dakota rarely cost much more than on-campus credits. Online undergraduate credits at the University of South Dakota, for example, cost slightly more than in-state tuition for on-campus classes, but less than out-of-state tuition. Private schools, such as Dakota Wesleyan University, charge the same rates for both online students, on-campus students, and out-of-state students. Private schools typically charge higher tuition rates than public schools.
South Dakota Grants and Scholarships
Financial aid, including federal and state grants and loans, is available to full-time students who demonstrate financial need by completing the FAFSA. For those who do not qualify for needs-based aid, South Dakota also offers several scholarships intended to encourage college graduates to stay in the state and fill areas of critical need. Start your scholarship search below.
Build Dakota Scholarship Fund
This program seeks to encourage students to train as skilled workers in high-need workforce areas. Students applying for eligible programs at South Dakota's four technical institutes can qualify, regardless of residency status, provided they agree to work in the state for at least three years after graduation.
Scholarship Amount: Full tuition, fees, and books.
South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship
This scholarship program strives to enable academically accomplished students from South Dakota high schools to attend any accredited school in the state. Students with minimum ACT scores of 24 and GPAs of 3.0 may apply. Students with lower grades but higher ACT or SAT scores may also apply.
Scholarship Amount: Up to $7,500 over four years.
South Dakota Needs-Based Grant Program
Students with demonstrated financial need can receive grants awarded by the state. To qualify, students must complete the FAFSA and apply for financial aid through a participating technical institute, college, or university in South Dakota.
Scholarship Amount: $500-$2,000
Dakota Corps Scholarship Program
This program aims to encourage talented South Dakota high school graduates to stay in the state for college and after graduation. Applicants agree to work in an area of critical need in South Dakota for a period of time equal to the number of years they received the scholarship, plus one. Students with a minimum ACT score of 27 and GPA of 2.8 may apply.
Scholarship Amount: $2,500
