Best Online Community Colleges in South Dakota
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South Dakota's best online community colleges host degree programs that cover popular industries and in-demand jobs. Any one of these three schools we list are a solid choice if you live in a rural part of the state and find it difficult to access higher education or have responsibilities requiring scheduling flexibility.
View our methodology for more details about our list. And if you're already looking to the future, our list of the best online colleges in South Dakota can help you set goals for when you finish your two-year degree.
How We Rank "Best" Schools
The OnlineU research team ranks community colleges in each featured state using Salary Score, our proprietary measure of how graduates' earnings compare with those of students who earned the same associate degrees elsewhere. Using U.S. Department of Education earnings data, we compare each college's associate graduates with graduates of the same degrees nationwide, providing a degree-level perspective of financial outcomes rather than relying on institution-wide earnings.
When there isn't enough data to calculate a reliable Salary Score, we rank eligible schools by online enrollment, highlighting colleges with larger, more established distance-learning communities. While some of our rankings include partner schools, every school is evaluated using the exact same criteria.
Best Online Community Colleges in South Dakota
| Rank | School | Salary Score | Online Enrollment | Recommendation | Annual Tuition | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Technical College | B- | 213 | N/A | $7,524 | $53,163 | |
| Southeast Technical College | N/A | 401 | 33% | $3,900 | $48,921 | |
| Western Dakota Technical Institute | N/A | 242 | 100% | $3,900 | $47,753 |
Why we like them: Mitchell Tech earns high marks for its performance in graduation rates and retention rates, positioning itself well among community colleges in South Dakota. With a graduation rate of 68%, it stands out in the top 17% of its peers, underscoring its commitment to student success. Complementing this, the retention rate at 81% places Mitchell Tech in the top 19% nationally, reflecting strong student engagement. The school offers four online programs: (1) Administrative Office Specialist, (2) Medical Office Professional, (3) Small Business Management, and (4) Speech-Language Pathology Assistant.
- Online Enrollment: 213 enrolled
- In-State Tuition: N/A
- Out-of-State Tuition: $7,524
- Program Length: N/A
- Median Earnings: $53,163
- Avg. Graduation Rate: N/A
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Institution Type: Non-Profit
Why we like them: Southeast Tech stands out due to its low student-faculty ratio of 11:1, putting it in the top 23% of colleges when it comes to providing a more personalized educational experience. This is complemented by a solid retention rate of 72%, indicating that a significant number of students are satisfied with their education and choose to continue their studies after their first year. Additionally, Southeast Tech offers a diverse array of online programs catering to fields like accounting, business administration, computer programming, healthcare leadership, and more.
Student Review Summary: Reviews describe a sharply divided experience driven by instructor quality and classroom support. One reviewer praised the small class sizes and meaningful one-on-one time with teachers, saying that personalized attention made the school feel supportive. Two others reported severe dissatisfaction, citing rigid and inconsistently enforced rules, grading penalties they viewed as excessive, and instructors they felt were indifferent to individual success. They also pointed to rushed instruction, limited access to lab time, uneven clinical placements, and concerns about bias in certain learning environments. A notable takeaway is that student outcomes and day-to-day treatment appear highly inconsistent across experiences.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Online Enrollment: 401 enrolled
- In-State Tuition: $3,900
- Out-of-State Tuition: $3,900
- Program Length: N/A
- Median Earnings: $48,921
- Avg. Graduation Rate: N/A
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Institution Type: Non-Profit
Why we like them: WDT excels in providing quality education with the lowest student-to-faculty ratio on our list of 9:1. This places it among the top 12% of institutions that ensure individualized attention, significantly enhancing your learning experience. Moreover, 98% of you receive financial aid, which makes education accessible and affordable. WDT offers a variety of online associate degrees in areas like business & technology, accounting, bookkeeping, and several certificate programs such as entrepreneurship and business.
1 Student Review for Associate Degrees
Good base knowledge for the money.Got a good reference for a good job from the instructor and remain employed in my field. No frills, just education. Would recommend.Scholarships available as well as workstudy, did not owe a lot at the end. Overall B... Read More
- Online Enrollment: 242 enrolled
- In-State Tuition: $3,900
- Out-of-State Tuition: $3,900
- Program Length: N/A
- Median Earnings: $47,753
- Avg. Graduation Rate: N/A
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Institution Type: Non-Profit
South Dakota Community College System
The South Dakota Community College (SDCC) system comprises five colleges in Watertown, Mitchell, Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Sisseton. SDCC, which is not part of a free community college system, has a total enrollment of 4,532 students. The colleges offer a combined total of more than 180 associate degrees, certificates and diploma programs. Many programs and courses are available online; each college offers online learning.
The average funding per full-time student for all schools in the state is around $11,558. College admission requirements may vary from one institution to another but applicants are generally required to have a high school diploma (with transcripts showing graduation date) or equivalent, proof of immunization, and ACT or SAT scores. Students who did not complete an ACT or SAT may be required to take the Accuplacer placement test.
Additional requirements — such as background checks, drug screens, and additional immunizations — may be required for Health, and Health and Human Services programs. The South Dakota Community College System ensures equal access and learning opportunities to students with qualifying and documented learning, physical, or psychological disabilities. All colleges in the South Dakota Community College System are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an agency that accredits colleges and universities in 19 different states and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
If you are unsure whether an online community college is the best fit for you, check out our article about the benefits of community college.