Top Nursing Schools in South Dakota
This page lists 12 schools in South Dakota that reported awards in licensed nursing education to the U.S. Department of Education for 2023-24 — including 5 practical/vocational nursing (LPN/LVN), 5 associate degree (ADN), 6 bachelor's (BSN), 4 master's and 2 Doctor of Nursing Practice award levels. By ownership, 8 public and 4 private nonprofit. 9 appear in the CCNE or ACEN accreditor directories for at least one nursing program level. The largest concentrations are in Sioux Falls (3) and Mitchell (2).
Data last reviewed: October 6, 2026
Sources: IPEDS (U.S. Dept. of Education) / CCNE directory / ACEN directory
Listing does not certify educational quality or guarantee licensure eligibility. Verify details with the school before applying.
Listed alphabetically. Inclusion is editorial selection, not a ranking — see our methodology. How schools are selected
Schools (12)
| School | Location | Ownership | Nursing awards / programs | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augustana University | Sioux Falls, SD | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN, Post-Master's | CCNE |
| Dakota Wesleyan University | Mitchell, SD | Private nonprofit | BSN | CCNE, ACEN (candidate) |
| Lake Area Technical College | Watertown, SD | Public | LPN/LVN, ADN | ACEN |
| Mitchell Technical College | Mitchell, SD | Public | LPN/LVN, ADN | — |
| Mount Marty University | Yankton, SD | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-PMHNP, Post-Master's-PMHNP, Doctorate, Doctorate-CRNA | CCNE |
| Oglala Lakota College | Kyle, SD | Public | ADN | — |
| Sinte Gleska University | Mission, SD | Public | LPN/LVN | — |
| South Dakota State University | Brookings, SD | Public | BSN, MSN, Post-Master's-FNP, Post-Master's-PMHNP, DNP | CCNE |
| Southeast Technical College | Sioux Falls, SD | Public | LPN/LVN, ADN | ACEN |
| University of Sioux Falls | Sioux Falls, SD | Private nonprofit | BSN | CCNE |
| University of South Dakota | Vermillion, SD | Public | BSN, MSN, DNP | CCNE |
| Western Dakota Technical College | Rapid City, SD | Public | LPN/LVN, ADN | ACEN |
Before you apply in South Dakota
- Prelicensure nursing programs must be approved by the state's board of nursing. Check the board's current list for the campus you will attend.
- Program accreditation (CCNE, ACEN or CNEA) is separate from state approval and from the institution's own accreditation. Each school page shows which records we found and where.
- Online programs based in another state may not accept residents of South Dakota. See online coursework and clinical requirements.