2027 Best Registered Nursing Schools in South Dakota
Registered Nursing programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools to find the best for registered nursing students.
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Best Schools for Registered Nursing in South Dakota
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Registered Nursing
Mitchell Technical Institute is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in registered nursing. Mitchell Technical Institute is a small public school located in the town of Mitchell. About 24 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Mitchell Technical Institute in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Mitchell Technical Institute earn around $47,686 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,730.
Get the full registered nursing details for Mitchell Technical Institute
A rank of #2 makes South Dakota State University one of the top schools for registered nursing. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. South Dakota State University graduates 62% of students within six years. South Dakota State University awarded about 351 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from South Dakota State University earn around $99,864 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full registered nursing details for South Dakota State University
University Of South Dakota is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #3. Located in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 104 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Dakota in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of South Dakota generally make around $71,758. Typical student debt for the program is $32,298.
Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of South Dakota
Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at Mount Marty College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Yankton, Mount Marty College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 52% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 29 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Mount Marty College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered 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.
See the full registered nursing program report for Mount Marty College
Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at Augustana College South Dakota, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Sioux Falls, Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 73% of students finish within six years. Augustana College South Dakota awarded about 73 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Augustana College South Dakota earn around $72,237 in the first couple years of their career. Augustana College South Dakota graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full registered nursing details for Augustana College South Dakota
Southeast Technical Institute ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Sioux Falls. About 82 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Southeast Technical Institute in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $62,601 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,239.
Get the full registered nursing details for Southeast Technical Institute
Lake Area Technical Institute came in at #7 for registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Watertown, Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 51 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Lake Area Technical Institute in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Lake Area Technical Institute earn a median of $66,233 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,212.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Lake Area Technical Institute
University Of Sioux Falls came in at #8 for registered nursing this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Sioux Falls. University Of Sioux Falls graduates 62% of students within six years. University Of Sioux Falls awarded about 39 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $70,622 in their early career. University Of Sioux Falls graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans.
Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of Sioux Falls
Western Dakota Technical Institute ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Rapid City, Western Dakota Technical Institute is a small public university. There were roughly 34 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Western Dakota Technical Institute in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Western Dakota Technical Institute earn around $37,839 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,620.
See the full registered nursing program report for Western Dakota Technical Institute
Dakota Wesleyan University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Dakota Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Mitchell. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. Dakota Wesleyan University awarded about 33 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Dakota Wesleyan University earn around $67,981 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Dakota Wesleyan University
More Registered Nursing Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, 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.
