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Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in South Dakota

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2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in South Dakota

20 Schools Ranked
$11,694 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$24,871 Avg Student Debt

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in South Dakota ranking. Our analysis looked at 20 schools in South Dakota to see which associate degree programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.

Learn more about these popular schools below:

#1

Southeast Technical College

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
619 Total Awards
$7,650 Average Tuition & Fees
$20,480 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Southeast Technical College the most popular school in South Dakota for students working on their associate degree. This small public school is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and it awarded 619 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Southeast Tech does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $7,650. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Southeast Tech accumulate an average of $20,480 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.

Online courses are available at Southeast Tech, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 45% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Southeast Technical College

#2

Lake Area Technical Institute

Watertown, South Dakota
579 Total Awards
$6,718 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,724 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lake Area Technical Institute. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in South Dakota list. Lake Area Technical Institute is a small public school located in Watertown, South Dakota that handed out 579 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees at LATI is $6,718. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $16,724 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 37% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at LATI. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 44% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Lake Area Technical Institute Report

#3

Mitchell Technical College

Mitchell, South Dakota
323 Total Awards
$7,524 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,633 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Mitchell Technical College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in South Dakota list. This small public school is located in Mitchell, South Dakota, and it awarded 323 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

If you want to attend Mitchell Tech, expect to pay an average of $7,524 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $15,633 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 30% of those degree recipients were women.

Online courses are available at Mitchell Tech, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 27% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Mitchell Technical College Report

#4

Western Dakota Technical Institute

Rapid City, South Dakota
226 Total Awards
$8,332 Average Tuition & Fees
$20,643 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Western Dakota Technical Institute. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in South Dakota list. Western Dakota Technical Institute is a small public school located in Rapid City, South Dakota that handed out 226 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $8,332 to cover tuition and fees at Western Dakota Tech. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from Western Dakota Tech accumulate an average of $20,643 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.

One thing to take note of is that Western Dakota Tech does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 43% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Western Dakota Technical Institute

#6

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
91 Total Awards
$9,299 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,354 Avg Student Debt

South Dakota State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in South Dakota ranking. South Dakota State is a public institution located in Brookings, South Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 91 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at South Dakota State is $9,299. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,809. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,354 in student loans. Around 49% of those degree recipients were women.

Online courses are available at South Dakota State, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 81% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#7

Oglala Lakota College

Kyle, South Dakota
87 Total Awards
$2,684 Average Tuition & Fees
$9,769 Avg Student Debt

Oglala Lakota College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Oglala Lakota College is a small public school located in Kyle, South Dakota that handed out 87 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Oglala Lakota College does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $2,684. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $9,769 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 76% of those degree recipients were women.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Oglala Lakota College. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Read full report on Oglala Lakota College

#8

Black Hills State University

Spearfish, South Dakota
44 Total Awards
$8,916 Average Tuition & Fees
$18,078 Avg Student Debt

Black Hills State University ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in South Dakota list. This small public school is located in Spearfish, South Dakota, and it awarded 44 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Students from South Dakota who attend BHSU full time pay an average of $8,916 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $12,018. Associate Degree recipients from BHSU accumulate an average of $18,078 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 77% of those degree recipients were women.

BHSU does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 63% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Black Hills State University Report

#9

Dakota State University

Madison, South Dakota
40 Total Awards
$9,633 Average Tuition & Fees
$27,139 Avg Student Debt

Dakota State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in South Dakota ranking. Located in Madison, South Dakota, the small public school awarded 40 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

In-state students pay an average of $9,633 in tuition and fees if they attend Dakota State full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,735. Associate Degree recipients from Dakota State accumulate an average of $27,139 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 28% were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Dakota State. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 73% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#10

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
24 Total Awards
$9,432 Average Tuition & Fees
$34,970 Avg Student Debt

University of South Dakota did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #10 on the list. Vermillion, South Dakota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 24 students in 2020-2021.

Students from South Dakota who attend USD full time pay an average of $9,432 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $12,942. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $34,970 in student loans. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since USD does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#11

Northern State University

Aberdeen, South Dakota
18 Total Awards
$8,845 Average Tuition & Fees

Northern State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in South Dakota ranking. NSU is located in Aberdeen, South Dakota and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 18 associate degrees to qualified students.

In-state students pay an average of $8,845 in tuition and fees if they attend NSU full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,947. Around 78% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at NSU. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 66% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#11

Sisseton Wahpeton College

Sisseton, South Dakota
18 Total Awards
$4,510 Average Tuition & Fees

Sisseton Wahpeton College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in South Dakota ranking. Sisseton Wahpeton College is a very small public school located in Sisseton, South Dakota that handed out 18 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

If you want to attend Sisseton Wahpeton College, expect to pay an average of $4,510 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.

Read full report on Sisseton Wahpeton College

#13

Presentation College

Aberdeen, South Dakota
12 Total Awards
$22,006 Average Tuition & Fees

Presentation College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in South Dakota ranking. This very small private not-for-profit school is located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, and it awarded 12 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $22,006 to cover tuition and fees at Presentation College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.

Presentation College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 72% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Presentation College Report

#14

University of Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
10 Total Awards
$19,900 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Sioux Falls came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in South Dakota ranking. University of Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It awarded 10 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Sioux Falls does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $19,900. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Around 80% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online classes at University of Sioux Falls. In 2019-2020 about 51% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on University of Sioux Falls

#15

Mount Marty University

Yankton, South Dakota
8 Total Awards
$29,980 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #15, Mount Marty University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Located in Yankton, South Dakota, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 8 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

If you want to attend Mount Marty, expect to pay an average of $29,980 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Of those students who received their degree, 38% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Mount Marty. During the 2019-2020 year, about 24% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#16

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Rapid City, South Dakota
4 Total Awards
$12,110 Average Tuition & Fees

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #16 on the list. Located in Rapid City, South Dakota, the small public school awarded 4 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at SD Mines is $12,110. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $16,530. Of those students who received their degree, 25% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at SD Mines. During the 2019-2020 year, about 90% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#18

Sinte Gleska University

Mission, South Dakota
$3,154 Average Tuition & Fees

Sinte Gleska University ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in South Dakota list.

If you want to attend Sinte Gleska University, expect to pay an average of $3,154 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.

Read full report on Sinte Gleska University

#18

Dakota Wesleyan University

Mitchell, South Dakota
$30,880 Average Tuition & Fees

Dakota Wesleyan University landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs.

The average tuition and fees at Dakota Wesleyan University is $30,880. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Dakota Wesleyan University. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 10% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Dakota Wesleyan University Report

#18

Institute of Lutheran Theology

Brookings, South Dakota
$9,978 Average Tuition & Fees

Institute of Lutheran Theology did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #18 on the list.

If you want to attend ILT, expect to pay an average of $9,978 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.

Read full report on Institute of Lutheran Theology

Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 20 schools only.

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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