2027 Best Nursing Schools in South Dakota
Nursing degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best nursing schools.
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Best Schools for Nursing in South Dakota
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall nursing education in South Dakota.
Top Schools in Nursing
Mitchell Technical Institute is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in nursing. Located in the town of Mitchell, Mitchell Technical Institute is a small public university. About 24 nursing degrees were awarded at Mitchell Technical Institute in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Mitchell Technical Institute earn a median of $47,686 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,730 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing program at Mitchell Technical Institute
South Dakota State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing, ranking #2. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 353 nursing degrees were awarded at South Dakota State University in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $99,864 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full nursing details for South Dakota State University
Students looking for a strong nursing program will find one at University Of South Dakota, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public institution. University Of South Dakota graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 109 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Dakota in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from University Of South Dakota earn around $71,758 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $32,298 to complete this degree.
Get the full nursing details for University Of South Dakota
Mount Marty College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Yankton. Mount Marty College graduates 52% of students within six years. Mount Marty College awarded about 104 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Mount Marty College earn around $152,247 in the first couple years of their career. Mount Marty College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full nursing details for Mount Marty College
Students looking for a strong nursing program will find one at Augustana College South Dakota, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. There were roughly 73 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Augustana College South Dakota in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Augustana College South Dakota earn a median of $72,237 early in their careers. Augustana College South Dakota graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full nursing program report for Augustana College South Dakota
Southeast Technical Institute ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Sioux Falls. There were roughly 82 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Southeast Technical Institute in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Southeast Technical Institute earn around $62,601 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,239.
See the full nursing program report for Southeast Technical Institute
Lake Area Technical Institute landed the #7 spot for nursing this year. Located in the town of Watertown, Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 51 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Lake Area Technical Institute in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lake Area Technical Institute generally make around $66,233. Typical student debt for the program is $26,212.
More information about a degree in nursing from Lake Area Technical Institute
University Of Sioux Falls earned the #8 position for nursing this year. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, University Of Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 39 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Sioux Falls in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from University Of Sioux Falls earn around $70,622 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Sioux Falls graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from University Of Sioux Falls
Western Dakota Technical Institute landed the #9 spot for nursing this year. Western Dakota Technical Institute is a small public school located in the city of Rapid City. There were roughly 34 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Western Dakota Technical Institute in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Western Dakota Technical Institute generally make around $37,839. Typical student debt for the program is $15,620.
Read more about the nursing program at Western Dakota Technical Institute
Dakota Wesleyan University landed the #10 spot for nursing this year. Located in the town of Mitchell, Dakota Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 48% of students finish within six years. Dakota Wesleyan University awarded about 33 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Dakota Wesleyan University earn a median of $67,981 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing from Dakota Wesleyan University
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 10 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
