South Dakota · Social Work

Best colleges for Social Work in South Dakota

Ranked by graduates a year

University of Sioux Falls and Augustana University award the most Social Work degrees and certificates in South Dakota: 11 and 2 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 3 South Dakota colleges offer Social Work and award 21 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Social Work program prepares students to support individuals and communities in overcoming challenges and improving their well-being. This field focuses on advocacy, education, and resource connection, making it ideal for those…

Institutions
3
offering CIP 44.07
States & territories
54
with a program page
Degrees / yr
21
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
—
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
0
College Scorecard
Median net price
$23,011
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
48%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Healthcare Social Workers
$59,640
BLS OEWS May 2025

3 institutions offering Social Work in South Dakota

Graduate earnings are not yet reported for these institutions; ordered by graduates a year.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1University of Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls Private not-for-profit
—1163%$19,439—
2Oglala Lakota College
Kyle Public
—89%——
3Augustana University
Sioux Falls Private not-for-profit
—273%$23,011—

Colleges awarding the most Social Work degrees in South Dakota

Top 2 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1University of Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls Private not-for-profit
11Not reported
2Augustana University
Sioux Falls Private not-for-profit
2Not reported
Show the other 1 South Dakota colleges offering Social Work
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Oglala Lakota CollegeKylePublic8

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Healthcare Social Workers (SOC 21-1022).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+7.7%
Faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~18,400
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$68,090
typically Master's degree

Top skills

SpeakingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionWritingActive Learning

What Healthcare Social Workers earn in South Dakota

Jobs in South Dakota
790
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$59,640
median $57,510
Best-paying metro
$69,060
Rapid City, SD

Related careers

Child, Family, and School Social Workers
$53,320 avg · 2,050 jobs
Healthcare Social Workers
$59,640 avg · 790 jobs
Social and Community Service Managers
$90,180 avg · 450 jobs
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
$67,860 avg · 280 jobs
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
$53,400 avg · 230 jobs
Social Workers, All Other
$91,250 avg · 130 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Social Work programs in South Dakota.

Which South Dakota colleges award the most Social Work degrees?+

University of Sioux Falls (11 graduates a year) and Augustana University (2 graduates a year) award the most Social Work degrees and certificates in South Dakota, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 3 South Dakota colleges offer Social Work.

How much do Healthcare Social Workers earn in South Dakota?+

The average annual wage for Healthcare Social Workers in South Dakota is $59,640 (median $57,510), across about 790 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Social Work program?+

The Social Work program prepares students to support individuals and communities in overcoming challenges and improving their well-being. This field focuses on advocacy, education, and resource connection, making it ideal for those…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

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

What is the job outlook for Healthcare Social Workers?+

The national job outlook is about +7.7% growth with around 18,400 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Master's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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