South Dakota · Practical Nursing

Best Practical Nursing institutions in South Dakota, ranked by earnings

The Practical Nursing program, also known as Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, prepares students for a career as a licensed practical nurse (LPN). This program is designed for individuals who want to provide direct nursing care to…

Institutions
5
offering CIP 51.39
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
276
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$38,446
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
4
College Scorecard
Median net price
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
55%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Nursing Assistants
$38,070
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 4 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Western Dakota Technical College
Rapid City Public · Certificate degree
$43,8845454%$20,500
2Lake Area Technical College
Watertown Public · Certificate degree
$42,1609473%$17,600
3Southeast Technical College
Sioux Falls Public · Certificate degree
$38,44610659%$17,038
4Mitchell Technical College
Mitchell Public · Certificate degree
$38,2871876%$16,856

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+2.3%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~204,100
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$39,530
typically Postsecondary nondegree award

Top skills

Active ListeningMonitoringReading ComprehensionSpeakingCritical ThinkingActive Learning

What Nursing Assistants earn in South Dakota

Jobs in South Dakota
6,520
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$38,070
median $38,070
Best-paying metro
$37,820
Sioux Falls, SD-MN

Related careers

Nursing Assistants
$38,070 avg · 6,520 jobs
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
$51,230 avg · 2,100 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Practical Nursing programs in South Dakota.

Which Practical Nursing program in South Dakota has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Western Dakota Technical College tops the list at $43,884. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Nursing Assistants earn in South Dakota?+

The average annual wage for Nursing Assistants in South Dakota is $38,070 (median $38,070), across about 6,520 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

What is the focus of the Practical Nursing program?+

The Practical Nursing program, also known as Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, prepares students for a career as a licensed practical nurse (LPN). This program is designed for individuals who want to provide direct nursing care to…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop active listening, monitoring, reading comprehension, speaking, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Nursing Assistants?+

The national job outlook is about +2.3% growth with around 204,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Postsecondary nondegree award is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

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