2025 Best Master's Degrees in South Dakota
Are you in South Dakota looking for a school where you can earn a master's degree? Start your search here.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide makes it easy to find information about the schools offering master's degree programs in South Dakota.
Get detailed information about colleges and universities in South Dakota with graduate programs, including the number of distance-offered degree completions and more. In the end,
you'll have an understanding of which school may be right for you. Click here to learn more about the guide.
South Dakota's Graduate Schools by the Numbers
Master's degree completions at institutions in South Dakota have been growing over the past 5 years. In 2023,
students completed 1,968 master's degrees
that were offered by South Dakota's colleges and universities. That was an increase of 7% from completions reported in 2019.
Schools with Master's Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2023
Est. Completions (Last 5 Years)
19:1846
20:1847
21:1757
22:1837
23:1968
Estimate derived from 2023 Lightcast™ completion data.
Top College Offering Master's Degrees in South Dakota
Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has
been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440),
Franklin offers more than 20 master's programs, all 100% online with no GMAT/GRE required.
Master's Completions for 2023
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Master's Degree Availability
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Private Colleges & Universities Offering Master's Degrees in South Dakota
There are at least 8 schools offering master's degrees in South Dakota, and 8
are private colleges or universities where about 10,615 graduate students were enrolled.
In 2023, a total of 1,267 master's degrees were completed at
private colleges and universities serving South Dakota.
Source Details
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$12,060
Accredited
Yes
Franklin University is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit school that offers master's degree programs in South Dakota. Most of the students are
adults and all programs completed were offered
online. In 2023, 616 master's degrees were completed.
Master's Degree Completions for 2023
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Master's Degree Availability
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Master's Completions by Program Area
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services313
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services31
Health Professions and Related Programs128
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services10
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies44
Public Administration and Social Service Professions31
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$14,264
Accredited
Yes
Mount Marty University is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit school that offers master's degree programs in South Dakota. Most of the students are
of traditional age and some programs completed were offered
online. In 2023, 29 master's degrees were completed.
Master's Degree Completions for 2023
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Master's Degree Availability
55%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Master's Completions by Program Area
Health Professions and Related Programs16
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$3,600
Accredited
Yes
Kairos University is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit school that offers master's degree programs in South Dakota. Most of the students are
a mixture of traditional and adult aged and all programs completed were offered
online. In 2023, 138 master's degrees were completed.
Master's Degree Completions for 2023
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Master's Degree Availability
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Master's Completions by Program Area
Theology and Religious Vocations131
Health Professions and Related Programs6
California Intercontinental University
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$10,674
Accredited
Yes
California Intercontinental University is an institutionally accredited
for profit school that offers master's degree programs in South Dakota. Most of the students are
adults and all programs completed were offered
online. In 2023, 42 master's degrees were completed.
Master's Degree Completions for 2023
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Master's Degree Availability
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Master's Completions by Program Area
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services34
Health Professions and Related Programs8
University of Sioux Falls
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$7,335
Accredited
Yes
University of Sioux Falls is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit school that offers master's degree programs in South Dakota. Most of the students are
of traditional age and most programs completed were offered
online. In 2023, 109 master's degrees were completed.
Master's Degree Completions for 2023
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Master's Degree Availability
69%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Master's Completions by Program Area
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services56
Dakota Wesleyan University
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$15,300
Accredited
Yes
Dakota Wesleyan University is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit school that offers master's degree programs in South Dakota. Most of the students are
of traditional age and all programs completed were offered
online. In 2023, 68 master's degrees were completed.
Master's Degree Completions for 2023
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Master's Degree Availability
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Master's Completions by Program Area
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services55
Health Professions and Related Programs6
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$39,840
Accredited
Yes
Augustana University is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit school that offers master's degree programs in South Dakota. Most of the students are
of traditional age and some programs completed were offered
online. In 2023, 190 master's degrees were completed.
Master's Degree Completions for 2023
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Master's Degree Availability
62%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Master's Completions by Program Area
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services44
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology10
Biological and Biomedical Sciences10
Health Professions and Related Programs8
National American University-Rapid City
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$16,425
Accredited
Yes
National American University-Rapid City is an institutionally accredited
for profit school that offers master's degree programs in South Dakota. Most of the students are
adults and all programs completed were offered
online. In 2023, 75 master's degrees were completed.
Master's Degree Completions for 2023
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Master's Degree Availability
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Master's Completions by Program Area
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services55
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services14
Military Technologies and Applied Sciences6
Public Colleges & Universities Offering Master's Degrees in South Dakota
According to 2022 data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, there are 6
public colleges located in South Dakota offering master's programs. About 21,024 students
were enrolled in graduate programs, and about 1,317 master's degrees were completed at public colleges in South Dakota.
Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Source Details
Northern State University
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$6,736
Accredited
Yes
Northern State University is an institutionally accredited
public school that offers master's degree programs in South Dakota. Most of the students are
of traditional age and most programs completed were offered
online. In 2023, 113 master's degrees were completed.
Master's Degree Completions for 2023
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Master's Degree Availability
86%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Master's Completions by Program Area
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services6
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology8
Mathematics and Statistics6
Health Professions and Related Programs6
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$8,500
Accredited
Yes
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is an institutionally accredited
public school that offers master's degree programs in South Dakota. Most of the students are
of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered
online. In 2023, 131 master's degrees were completed.
Master's Degree Completions for 2023
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Master's Degree Availability
21%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Master's Completions by Program Area
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians26
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services7
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$6,731
Accredited
Yes
Dakota State University is an institutionally accredited
public school that offers master's degree programs in South Dakota. Most of the students are
of traditional age and all programs completed were offered
online. In 2023, 149 master's degrees were completed.
Master's Degree Completions for 2023
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Master's Degree Availability
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Master's Completions by Program Area
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services2
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services134
Health Professions and Related Programs5
University of South Dakota
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$7,118
Accredited
Yes
University of South Dakota is an institutionally accredited
public school that offers master's degree programs in South Dakota. Most of the students are
of traditional age and some programs completed were offered
online. In 2023, 530 master's degrees were completed.
Master's Degree Completions for 2023
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Master's Degree Availability
66%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Master's Completions by Program Area
Visual and Performing Arts16
Biological and Biomedical Sciences16
Health Professions and Related Programs152
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services111
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies10
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology21
English Language and Literature/Letters7
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services45
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs4
Mathematics and Statistics6
Public Administration and Social Service Professions29
Black Hills State University
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$8,916
Accredited
Yes
Black Hills State University is an institutionally accredited
public school that offers master's degree programs in South Dakota. Most of the students are
of traditional age and most programs completed were offered
online. In 2023, 60 master's degrees were completed.
Master's Degree Completions for 2023
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Master's Degree Availability
82%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Master's Completions by Program Area
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services13
Biological and Biomedical Sciences5
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies5
South Dakota State University
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$9,384
Accredited
Yes
South Dakota State University is an institutionally accredited
public school that offers master's degree programs in South Dakota. Most of the students are
of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered
online. In 2023, 334 master's degrees were completed.
Master's Degree Completions for 2023
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Est. Online Master's Degree Availability
25%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Master's Completions by Program Area
Agricultural/Animal/Plan/Veterinary Science and Related Fields26
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians3
Mathematics and Statistics29
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences20
Health Professions and Related Programs50
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies1
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology11
Natural Resources and Conservation11
English Language and Literature/Letters6
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services1
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs11
Architecture and Related Servies18
Biological and Biomedical Sciences20
Affordable Master's Degrees in South Dakota
Wondering what you can expect to pay for a master's degree in South Dakota? According to graduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average
tuition at South Dakota
nonprofit schools is $15,400. The average tuition at similar for-profit
schools in South Dakota is $13,550.
Nonprofit Graduate School
For-Profit Graduate School
Accredited
Colleges Offering Master's Degrees in South Dakota
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a master's degree from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your
education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews
to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.
Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs in South Dakota is institutionally accredited? View a list of
institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving South Dakota here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
Accredited Nonprofit Graduate Schools Serving South Dakota
- Franklin University
- Augustana University
- Dakota Wesleyan University
- Mount Marty University
- Kairos University
- University of Sioux Falls
Accredited For-Profit Graduate Schools Serving South Dakota
- National American University-Rapid City
- California Intercontinental University
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