Colleges Near Rapid City, South Dakota
Looking for information about the best colleges and universities serving Rapid City? Here's your guide to the top schools offering degrees to students in the area, including institutions located within 90 miles of Rapid City, South Dakota.
There are at least 8 colleges serving the area, including 3 private colleges and universities, 3 public colleges and universities, and 2 community colleges offering 2-year degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of the colleges serving Rapid City, with details about cost, enrollment, student type and degree offerings. Click here to learn more about the guide.
Rapid City, South Dakota Colleges by the Numbers
Associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near Rapid City, South Dakota have been declining over the past 5 years. In 2022, students completed 2,199 doctorates at colleges and universities near Rapid City. That was a decrease of 9% from completions reported in 2018.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2022
Est. Completions (Last 5 Years)
Sponsored
Top School For Adults & Online Students
Franklin University is a top choice for transfer students, online learners and 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 50 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,444
Completions By Degree
1,820
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Private Colleges & Universities Offering Degrees Near Rapid City, South Dakota
There are at least 3 schools offering degrees near Rapid City, South Dakota, and 3 are four-year private colleges or universities where about 5,422 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2022, a total of 2,128 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 2,128 that were offered online.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in the Rapid City, South Dakota area. Franklin University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University. In 2022, 1,011 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 94 associate degrees, 676 master's degrees, and 39 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,444
Completions By Degree
1,820
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
National American University-Ellsworth is an institutionally accredited for profit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at National American University-Ellsworth. In 2022, 11 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 2 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
41
Completions By Degree
13
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
National American University-Rapid City is an institutionally accredited for profit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at National American University-Rapid City. In 2022, 153 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 54 associate degrees, 80 master's degrees, and 8 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
937
Completions By Degree
295
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Public Colleges & Universities Near Rapid City, South Dakota
There are 3 four-year public colleges located near Rapid City, South Dakota. About 5,660 students were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and about 1,545 degrees were completed at public colleges near Rapid City. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. In 2022, 379 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 1 associate degree, 117 master's degrees, and 21 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,976
Completions By Degree
518
Est. Online Degree Availability
5%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Chadron State College is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Chadron State College. In 2022, 368 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 152 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,642
Completions By Degree
520
Est. Online Degree Availability
75%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Black Hills State University is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Black Hills State University. In 2022, 395 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 44 associate degrees, 68 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,042
Completions By Degree
507
Est. Online Degree Availability
27%
Completions by Program Area
Community Colleges Near Rapid City, South Dakota
There are 2 community colleges near Rapid City, South Dakota where students can earn 2-year associate degrees. In 2022, about 2,179 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near Rapid City, and about 346 associate degrees were completed.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Western Dakota Technical College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
826
Completions By Degree
197
Est. Online Degree Availability
16%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Oglala Lakota College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,353
Completions By Degree
149
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Affordable Colleges Near Rapid City, South Dakota
Wondering what you can expect to pay for a degree near Rapid City, South Dakota? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at Rapid City-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $9,633. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit schools near Rapid City is $11,168, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is $5,508.
4-Year Nonprofit
4-Year For-Profit
2-Year
Accredited Colleges Serving Rapid City, South Dakota
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a 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 Rapid City, South Dakota is institutionally accredited? View a list of institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving Rapid City, South Dakota here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
- Franklin University
- Black Hills State University
- South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
- Chadron State College
- Western Dakota Technical College
- Oglala Lakota College
- National American University-Rapid City
- National American University-Ellsworth
Rapid City, South Dakota Job Market & Opportunities
What happens after you earn your college degree in Rapid City? What's the Rapid City, South Dakota job market outlook? Get a snapshot of jobs and careers, including annual job openings, median earnings and more.
In 2022, there were about 115,597 jobs in the Rapid City, South Dakota area. From 2021-2022, job growth in Rapid City was below the national average, at 3.2%. There were 15,564 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in Rapid City do worse than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $19.19.