2023 Guide To Top Online Colleges in South Dakota
Are you looking for an online college in South Dakota that best fits your needs? Start your search for South Dakota's best online colleges and universities here.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide makes it easy to find information about the schools offering online degrees in South Dakota. Get detailed information about colleges and universities with 100% online degree programs, including the number of distance-offered degree completions, student type, programs offered and more. In the end, you'll have an understanding of what each school has to offer and which ones may be right for you.
South Dakota's Online Colleges by the Numbers
Online degrees in South Dakota have been growing at institutions over the past 5 years. In 2021, students completed 4,201 degree programs that were offered 100% online by South Dakota's colleges and universities. That was an increase of 18% from completions reported in 2017.
Schools with Distance Education Completions
Est. Total Online Completions in 2021
Est. OnlineCompletions (Last 5 Years)
Top Online College for Busy Adults & Transfer Students
Franklin University is a top choice for online learners, transfer students and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and regionally-accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Adult Students
70%
Undergraduate Cost / Credit Hour
Best Nonprofit Online Colleges Serving South Dakota
There are at least 13 nonprofit 4-year schools serving South Dakota, where students completed 5,128 distance education degree programs. Of those schools, 7 were private nonprofit institutions and 6 were public schools. Browse through the listing below to learn more about each of the nonprofit online colleges serving South Dakota, including an estimate about online degree availability and popular online degree programs. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Tuition
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in South Dakota. Franklin University is an 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 2021, 1,056 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 106 associate degrees, 638 master's degrees, and 19 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
1,819
Online Completions by Program
Tuition
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Dakota State University is an 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 Dakota State University. In 2021, 298 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 40 associate degrees, 125 master's degrees, and 14 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
88%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
477
Online Completions by Program
Tuition
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Augustana University is an accredited nonprofit 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. Master's degrees are the most popular at Augustana University. In 2021, 87 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
13%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
87
Online Completions by Program
Tuition
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Presentation College is an accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Presentation College. In 2021, 99 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 1 associate degree, 9 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
63%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
109
Online Completions by Program
Tuition
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
South Dakota State University is an 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 State University. In 2021, 632 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 70 associate degrees, 80 master's degrees, and 4 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
31%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
786
Online Completions by Program
Tuition
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Sioux Falls Seminary is an accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and all programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Sioux Falls Seminary. In 2021, 48 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 2 bachelor's degrees, and 2 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
52
Online Completions by Program
Tuition
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Mount Marty University is an accredited nonprofit 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. Master's degrees are the most popular at Mount Marty University. In 2021, 24 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
12%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
24
Online Completions by Program
Tuition
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
University of South Dakota is an accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at University of South Dakota. In 2021, 718 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 23 associate degrees, 297 master's degrees, and 108 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
54%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
1,146
Online Completions by Program
Tuition
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Northern State University is an accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Northern State University. In 2021, 70 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 16 associate degrees, 62 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
41%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
148
Online Completions by Program
Tuition
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Dakota Wesleyan University is an accredited nonprofit 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. Master's degrees are the most popular at Dakota Wesleyan University. In 2021, 12 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 1 bachelor's degree, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
6%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
13
Online Completions by Program
Tuition
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is an 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. Master's degrees are the most popular at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. In 2021, 35 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
7%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
35
Online Completions by Program
Tuition
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
University of Sioux Falls is an accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at University of Sioux Falls. In 2021, 139 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 1 associate degree, 105 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
46%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
245
Online Completions by Program
Tuition
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Black Hills State University is an accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Black Hills State University. In 2021, 110 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 10 associate degrees, 67 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
34%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
187
Online Completions by Program
For-Profit Online Colleges in South Dakota
Get a list of four-year for-profit online colleges and universities in South Dakota here. According to 2021 data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, there were 2 for-profit 4-year schools in South Dakota where students completed 526 distance education degree programs.
Tuition
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
National American University-Ellsworth AFB Extension is an accredited for profit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at National American University-Ellsworth AFB Extension. In 2021, 21 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 4 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
25
Online Completions by Program
Tuition
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
National American University-Rapid City is an 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 2021, 244 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 106 associate degrees, 121 master's degrees, and 30 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
501
Online Completions by Program
Best Online Community Colleges in South Dakota
Looking for a 2-year school or online community college in South Dakota? According to 2021 data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, there were 4 2-year schools where students completed 366 distance education degree programs. Browse through the listing below to learn more about each of the online community colleges in South Dakota, including an estimate about online degree availability and popular online degree programs. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Tuition
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Southeast Technical College is an accredited for profit 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
34%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
210
Online Completions by Program
Tuition
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Mitchell Technical College is an accredited for profit 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.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
7%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
23
Online Completions by Program
Tuition
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Lake Area Technical College is an accredited for profit 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.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
18%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
103
Online Completions by Program
Tuition
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Western Dakota Technical College is an accredited for profit 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
13%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
30
Online Completions by Program
Affordable Online Colleges in South Dakota
Wondering what you can expect to pay for an online degree in South Dakota, or which online South Dakota schools have the most affordable options? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at South Dakota's 4-year nonprofit schools is $15,798. The average tuition at 4-year for-profit schools in South Dakota is $10,530, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is $7,491.
4-Year Nonprofit
4-Year For-Profit
2-Year
Accredited Online Colleges Serving South Dakota
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a college degree from an accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your education is of high quality. 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 serving South Dakota is accredited? View a list of accredited online colleges and universities serving South Dakota here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
- Dakota Wesleyan University
- Mount Marty University
- Sioux Falls Seminary
- Northern State University
- Presentation College
- South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
- South Dakota State University
- University of Sioux Falls
- University of South Dakota
- Augustana University
- Black Hills State University
- Dakota State University
- Franklin University
- Southeast Technical College
- Mitchell Technical College
- Lake Area Technical College
- Western Dakota Technical College
- National American University-Rapid City
- National American University-Ellsworth AFB Extension