Best Online Colleges in South Dakota for 2024

Get detailed info on Best Online Colleges in South Dakota and their online degrees, financial aid and scholarships, acceptance rate, tuition and fees.

South Dakota has a lot to offer in terms of online education. It is one of the states in Midwestern Higher Education Compact. The Electronic University Consortium is a resource which helps the students to know about the best online colleges in South Dakota, tuition, career developments, etc.

The South Dakota Department of Education established South Dakota Virtual School to provide online education not just for the colleges, but for the schools as well. The state is a part of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education which helps the students for transferring credits, enrollment etc.

The state of South Dakota has 25 institutions that grant degrees, out of which 12 are public schools, 5 are private-for-profits and 8 are private not-for-profits institutes. The total number of degrees that were granted during 2015-2016 was 2,236 Associate’s Degrees, 6,040 Bachelor’s Degrees, 1,538 Master’s Degrees and 437 Doctorate Degrees. The total number of student enrollment in the state during 2016 was 53,685, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. 

The state provides various financial aids to the students on the basis of their eligibility. The universities/colleges also provide scholarships for the students to cut down the costs. It makes the online education affordable for all.

It provided around $200,000 for the need-based grants and $4.5 million for non-need based grants in the year 2013-2014 according to the National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs.

The spending of government on education has increased by 1.2%.

South Dakota has encouraged the people within and outside the state to pursue online education and has been striving towards providing higher education to all and indulge in development for online education and the courses.

The following is a list of top online colleges in South-dakota in 2019.

South Dakota State University (SDSU)
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1 South Dakota State University (SDSU)

Brookings, South Dakota


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 68%

Average Financial Aid: $4,100

Acceptance Rate: 91.00

Total Programs Offered (30)


7

Human Services Programs

3

Interdisciplinary Studies Programs

3

Education Programs

17

Other Programs


South Dakota State University is a research university that has got its accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). SDSU offers over 200 programs in various majors such as Nursing, Natural Sciences, Engineering, and many more.

The university offers many degree options which are in demand through online learning. The university helps and assists the military members to obtain the educational benefits from the federal and state. Around 97.5% of the students receive financial aid from the institute. The institution awards financial aid worth $11,556 on an average and scholarship of $2,678.

SDSU has more than 200 clubs and organizations for students to always keep them occupied and engaged on campus with various events and activities. Few students clubs on campus include Psychology Club, Advertising Club, English Club, History Club, and many more.

Dakota State University (DSU)
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2 Dakota State University (DSU)

Madison, South Dakota


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 79%

Average Financial Aid: $3,585

Acceptance Rate: 83.00

Total Programs Offered (50)


12

Information Systems Programs

9

Interdisciplinary Studies Programs

8

Business Management Programs

21

Other Programs


Dakota State University is a public institution, that has its accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The university offers academic programs over 45 majors such as Accounting, Cyber Operations, Education, Engineering, and many more.

DSU is specialized in offering online education since 1881 at a very low cost for students from different parts of the world. The cost is around $351.25 per credit for undergraduates and $465.80 per credit hour for graduate students.

Almost 74% of the students are awarded financial aid worth $10,913 on an average per student. The financial assistance is provided are in the form of loans, scholarships, and grants to help make their education affordable and easy.

Student life on campus is very engaging with events and activities on campus by numerous clubs and organizations. DSU is one among the members of the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) and is represented by 12 teams in sports.

The University of Sioux Falls (USF)
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3 The University of Sioux Falls (USF)

Sioux Falls, South Dakota


Institution Type: Private Not-For-Profit

Financial Aid Percentage: 100%

Average Financial Aid: $16,766

Acceptance Rate: 91.00

Total Programs Offered (13)


7

Education Programs

3

Business Management Programs

1

Nursing Program

2

Other Programs


The University of Sioux Falls is a liberal arts not-for-profit institution that has been regionally accredited and is recognized by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The university offers programs in more than 90 majors, minors, pre-professional, and specialization programs.

The university offers online learning to traditional as well as military and veteran students. Various benefits are also given to the military members and the institute helps them to make use of it in pursuing their education. The university provides required financial assistance to all its eligible students.

Every student at USF feels engaged, supported, and encouraged in all aspects. With more than 100 clubs, activities, and organizations on campus, the university promotes hosting and organizing of various events on campus to keep all their students engaged. It posts more than 3,500 positions for internship in its database every year, with that, the university has the placement rate around 99%.

Northern State University
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4 Northern State University

Aberdeen, South Dakota


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 85%

Average Financial Aid: $4,620

Acceptance Rate: 81.00

Total Programs Offered (17)


6

Business Management Programs

4

Accounting Programs

2

Education Programs

5

Other Programs


Northern State University is a 4-years public institution that has been regionally recognized by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). NSU is specialized to provide over 59 academic programs in various majors such as Business, Arts, Science, Fine Arts, and much more.

A student can even choose to complete their degree through their online programs, which are well designed to cater to the needs of an individual to pursue from their own place.

The institute spends more than $185 million annually by awarding financial aid and about 86% of the students receive it. The financial assistance is provided to students and military members along with their dependents in the form of loans, grants, and scholarships.

The Division of Students Affairs is the platform where the engaging events and activities are created to keep all their students active on campus. Few clubs on campus include Art Club, Business Club, Environmental Club, Honors Club, and many more.

University of South Dakota (USD)
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5 University of South Dakota (USD)

Vermillion, South Dakota


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 80%

Average Financial Aid: $4,817

Acceptance Rate: 88.00

Total Programs Offered (50)


17

Business Management Programs

11

Health Science Programs

9

Education Programs

13

Other Programs


University of South Dakota is a research institution that has a history of more than 100 yearn in teaching and training students towards their goals. USD has received its accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The university is specialized to provide more than 205 programs as UG and 75 for graduates in areas such as Education, Law, Medicine and many more.

USD offers world-class online programs that are affordable and accessible from anywhere. Students can earn a degree at their own pace and by spending less time. All the courses are taught by the faculty present on campus to ensure the same quality of education is offered even to their non-traditional students.

On the campus, a student can find what they need and get involved to explore their interests and follow their passion. The institution houses about 120 organizations and clubs which includes sports, religious, hobbies, and social groups, and more.

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6 Augustana University

Sioux Falls, South Dakota


Institution Type: Private Not-For-Profit

Financial Aid Percentage: 100%

Average Financial Aid: $19,748

Acceptance Rate: 69.00

Total Programs Offered (1)


1

Education Program


Augustana University is a private not-for-profit 4-years institution of Lutheran orientation for which the accreditation is given by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. AU is ranked 4 by US News and World Report under “Best Colleges” in the Midwest. The university achieved recognition for its honors program ‘Civitas’, which is an in-depth study about citizenship and relative issues and has helped students to address affairs of contemporary complications on campus, in the country and globally.

Augustana also guides and helps their students in providing them the necessary financial assistance in the form of loans, grants, and scholarships.

The student body on campus is diverse and has people from almost all parts of the world. The athletics department is named as the Vikings, who primarily competes in NCAA Division II for different sports such as Baseball, Basketball, Football, Golf, and many more.

Presentation College
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7 Presentation College

Aberdeen, South Dakota


Institution Type: Private Not-For-Profit

Financial Aid Percentage: 100%

Average Financial Aid: $10,732

Acceptance Rate: 99.00

Total Programs Offered (6)


3

Health Science Programs

2

Nursing Programs

1

Psychology Program


Presentation College is a private not-for-profit Catholic institution that is set up to help students provide premium quality education in the locality. The university is assessed and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

The PC Promise is a policy of the college, which provides financial aid customized to the needs of the student in the form of loans, grants, and scholarships. Around 98% of students get awarded with some form of financial aid every year.

The ‘Career and Learning Center’ division in the campus mentors students and offers services such as resume writing, mock interviews, career and employment assistance. Various clubs on campus focus on providing quality time to all their students by hosting something or the other on-campus almost every day. Few clubs include Business Club, Athletics Training Association, Psychology Club, Student Ambassadors, and more.

Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU)
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8 Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU)

Mitchell, South Dakota


Institution Type: Private Not-For-Profit

Financial Aid Percentage: 100%

Average Financial Aid: $15,691

Acceptance Rate: 73.00

Total Programs Offered (6)


3

Education Programs

1

Business Management Program

1

Nursing Program

1

Other Program


Dakota Wesleyan University is a private co-educational not-for-profit institution this is accredited and is recognized by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The university is specialized to provide academic programs in over 40 majors.

The online programs from the Dakota Wesleyan are well structured and are made easy for all the individuals to pursue their degree from the comfort of their own place.

The students engage in research, internship and professional certifications. The university claims to have awarded financial aid to 100% of full-time on-campus students.

Student life is fun-filled and helps them feel like home and engaged on campus in various activities that are being hosted. The athletics department of the university is named as the DWU Tigers who are part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and are involved in playing various sports such as Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, Golf, and many more.

Black Hills State University (BHSU)
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9 Black Hills State University (BHSU)

Spearfish, South Dakota


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 71%

Average Financial Aid: $4,183

Acceptance Rate: 80.00

Total Programs Offered (16)


11

Education Programs

2

Business Management Programs

1

Health Science Program

2

Other Programs


Black Hills State University is a public liberal arts institution which is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

The online programs offered by the university is well structured and makes it very easy for anyone to understand the curriculum. These programs are designed for those individuals who do not want to give their work-life for education. The Black Hills offers its online programs in the majors such as Behavioural Sciences, Arts & Humanities, Business, General Studies, and many more with the necessary financial assistance for all their students in the form of loans, grants, and scholarships.

The Department of Veteran Affairs manages the educational benefits given to veterans, active members of the armed forces and their dependents. The campus also includes the Office of Student Support Services (SSS) division to deal with career advisory functions, Office of Disability Services to support equivalent opportunities to specially-abled students.

National American University (NAU)
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10 National American University (NAU)

Rapid City, South Dakota


Institution Type: Private For-Profit

Financial Aid Percentage: 16%

Average Financial Aid: $3,325

Acceptance Rate: Request Info

Total Programs Offered (67)


36

Business Management Programs

9

Information Technology Programs

7

Health Science Programs

15

Other Programs


National American University is a private not-for-profit institution that offers one of the best on-campus and online undergraduate courses, masters and doctoral programs to the students from the different parts of the world. The university is recognized and is regionally accredited to offer programs by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The online programs from NAU are well structured to support working individuals and students. NAU offers various programs in various majors such as Computer Science, Business Administration, Education, Science, and many more.

The financial aid department of the university is committed to working with students in making their education affordable by helping them financially in the form of loans, scholarships, and grants.

An exclusive career center is available on campus to provide career assistance and update about job postings to students. NAU also lets students transfer 100% of credits if in lieu of accreditation and university standards.