[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]South Dakota offers many affordable, accredited online degrees at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s levels.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]South Dakota colleges are best known for their affordable tuition rates: The state’s four-year public and private universities charge [hen-ui-link href=”https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d19/tables/dt19_330.20.asp/” target=”_blank”]below-average tuition rates[/hen-ui-link] compared to the national average. Colleges in South Dakota offer degrees in high-demand fields like business, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology, with many offered through online programs.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Rural students benefit from the accessibility of online learning, and many of the state’s educational institutions offer tuition discounts for South Dakota residents. Online degrees also appeal to working students and busy adults who must balance school with other responsibilities.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This list of online colleges in South Dakota only includes [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/accreditation/”]regionally accredited[/hen-ui-link] institutions. Regional accreditation is the highest standard for educating students and granting degrees. Credits earned at accredited schools easily transfer to other institutions, and only accredited schools distribute federal student aid to their undergraduate and graduate students. An accredited degree also meets requirements for professional licenses and certifications.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Prospective students use this list to find the best programs for their career goals. This article also offers employment data for South Dakota and information about online associate and graduate degrees.[/hen-ui-text] ​ [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /] ​ ​ [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]The Best Online Colleges in South Dakota[/hen-ui-heading] ​ [hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid] ​ ​ ​ [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Employment in South Dakota[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]South Dakotans with college degrees benefit from the state’s low unemployment rate and cost of living. Compared to the national average cost of living index, which is set at 100, South Dakota’s cost of living index is [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bestplaces.net/cost_of_living/state/south_dakota/” target=”_blank”]only 88.3[/hen-ui-link]. Similarly, South Dakota’s [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.sd.htm#eag_sd.f.2/” target=”_blank”]2.9% unemployment rate[/hen-ui-link] is much lower than the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.us.htm/” target=”_blank”]6.2% national unemployment rate[/hen-ui-link], as of February 2021.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]South Dakota’s [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.southdakotaworks.org/vosnet/dashboards/defaultana.aspx?menuid=MENU_START_PAGE_DASHBOARD_ANA/” target=”_blank”]top industries[/hen-ui-link] include healthcare, manufacturing, educational services, and public administration. Bioscience, value-added agriculture, and cybersecurity are also [hen-ui-link href=”https://sdgoed.com/key-industries/” target=”/"_blank"”]key industries[/hen-ui-link] in the state. Many careers in these fields require a bachelor-level education, though fewer than 29% of South Dakota residents hold a bachelor’s degree. As a result, professionals with college degrees face less competition in South Dakota than they would in more highly educated states.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The state’s highest-paying, fastest-growing jobs, including financial manager, industrial engineer, and operations manager, all typically require a bachelor’s degree. Many of these careers pay more than double the state’s [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_sd.htm/” target=”_blank”]mean annual wage of $44,960[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The following information details some of the highest-paying roles employing more than 500 individuals in South Dakota. Salary information applies specifically to South Dakota, while job growth data pertains to the entire United States.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Highest-Paying, Degree-Requiring Careers in South Dakota[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Career[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Annual Mean Salary (2020)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Education Required[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Financial Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”]$144,980[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm/” target=”_blank”]15%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]General and Operations Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”]$131,890[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/top-executives.htm/” target=”_blank”]4%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Pharmacists[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”]$121,130[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacists.htm/” target=”_blank”]-3%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Doctoral[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Lawyers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”]$111,930[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/lawyers.htm/” target=”_blank”]4%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Doctoral[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Physician Assistants[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”]$109,290[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physician-assistants.htm/” target=”_blank”]31%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Master’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Medical and Health Services Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”]$107,850[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm/” target=”_blank”]32%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”]$103,230[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/sales-managers.htm/” target=”_blank”]4%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Nurse Practitioners[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”]$103,080[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm/” target=”_blank”]45%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Master’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Industrial Engineers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”]$86,450[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/industrial-engineers.htm/” target=”_blank”]10%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] Source: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_sd.htm/” target=”_blank”]Bureau of Labor Statistics[/hen-ui-link] ​ ​ [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Online Associate Degrees in South Dakota[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In addition to bachelor’s degrees, South Dakotans can earn [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/online-colleges/”]online associate degrees[/hen-ui-link] in business, agricultural science, and general studies.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.sdstate.edu/online-undergraduate-degrees/” target=”_blank”]South Dakota State University[/hen-ui-link] (SDSU) offers online associate programs in subjects like sociology, construction technology, and data science. [hen-ui-link href=”https://dsu.edu/academics/majors-degrees.html/” target=”_blank”]Dakota State University[/hen-ui-link] (DSU) has an online associate in business management program. The online associate degree in general studies at the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.usd.edu/usd-online/online-programs/” target=”_blank”]University of South Dakota[/hen-ui-link] (USD) prepares graduates to enroll in bachelor’s programs.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]After completing an associate degree, graduates can enter the workforce or transfer into bachelor’s programs. With [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/transfer-credits-online-colleges/”]transfer credits[/hen-ui-link], students can earn their bachelor’s degrees in as little as one year.[/hen-ui-text] ​ [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Online Graduate Degrees in South Dakota[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many top-ranked universities in South Dakota offer [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/online-colleges/”]online graduate degrees[/hen-ui-link], too. For example, [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.usd.edu/usd-online/online-programs” target=”_blank”]USD offers[/hen-ui-link] an online MBA program with concentrations in business analytics, finance, health services administration, and marketing. Graduate students can also earn master’s degrees in criminal justice administration, social work, or nursing at USD.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Online graduate programs prioritize flexible scheduling, which appeals to working professionals who must balance school with professional responsibilities. Online programs also typically allow students to complete in-person requirements in their local areas. With a graduate degree, professionals can advance their current careers or move into new fields.[/hen-ui-text] ​ ​ [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions[/hen-ui-heading] ​ [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What Is the Most Popular Online College in South Dakota?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]South Dakota’s popular online colleges include the University of South Dakota, South Dakota State University, and Dakota State University.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What Are the Best Colleges in South Dakota?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The state’s best colleges include the University of South Dakota, which is the state’s flagship public university, and South Dakota State University. The state also has private universities.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What Is the Best School in South Dakota?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]What school is the best school is different for every student, depending on their intended profession and learning style. Some of the best colleges in South Dakota include public institutions, like the University of South Dakota, and private schools, like Augustana University.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Learn more, do more.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h5″]More topic-relevant resources to expand your knowledge.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”905,970,1481″][/hen-ui-article-row] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Popular with our students.” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”970,1538,905″][/hen-ui-article-row]