Best Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Schools in South Dakota

South Dakota has 7 colleges offering Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 1,079 recent graduates. Graduates in South Dakota earn $57,404 on average within two years — 10% below the national average of $63,931. Lower cost of living or industry mix may explain the gap.

7
Schools in SD
$57,404
SD Avg. Earnings
$63,931
National Avg.
1043
Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in South Dakota

Public Schools (2)
$57,777
avg. 2yr earnings
Private Schools (4)
$57,535
avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in South Dakota produce comparable or higher early earnings for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Schools in South Dakota, Ranked by Earnings

#1
N

National American University-Rapid City

Rapid City, SD ·

$56,133
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $59,104
Graduates: 134
Acceptance: N/A
#2
University of Sioux Falls logo

University of Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls, SD · Private

$58,173
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $60,096
Graduates: 83
Acceptance: 82.1%
#3
South Dakota State University logo

South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD · Public

$57,860
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $58,372
Graduates: 402
Acceptance: 98.7%
#4
Augustana University logo

Augustana University

Sioux Falls, SD · Private

$57,724
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $60,050
Graduates: 85
Acceptance: 59.3%
#5
Dakota Wesleyan University logo

Dakota Wesleyan University

Mitchell, SD · Private

$57,603
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $60,155
Graduates: 93
Acceptance: 72.8%
#6
University of South Dakota logo

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, SD · Public

$57,693
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $57,262
Graduates: 243
Acceptance: 99.0%
#7
Mount Marty University logo

Mount Marty University

Yankton, SD · Private

$56,641
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $61,763
Graduates: 39
Acceptance: 48.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in South Dakota?
National American University-Rapid City ranks #1 for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in South Dakota with median graduate earnings of $56,133 within two years of graduation. There are 7 schools offering Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs in the state.
How much do Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates earn in South Dakota?
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates in South Dakota earn an average of $57,404 within two years of graduation. This is 10% below the national average of $63,931 for this major.
What is the hardest Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing school to get into in South Dakota?
Mount Marty University is the most selective Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program in South Dakota with an acceptance rate of 48.1%. The average acceptance rate across Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs in the state is 76.7%.
Should I attend a public or private school for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in South Dakota?
In South Dakota, private Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs produce average earnings of $57,535 vs $57,777 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 2 public and 4 private options in the state.

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.