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Get the facts on South Dakota Online RN to BSN programs! Use our state listings to explore public & private options. Learn about the best, cheapest and fastest Online RN to BSN programs in South Dakota. Apply for South Dakota RN to BSN scholarships. And discover answers to FAQs, including details on Online RN to BSN to MSN pathways.
Best RN to BSN Online Programs in South Dakota
1. South Dakota State University
- Program: Online RN to BSN
- RN to BSN Credits: 30
- Length: 10 Months (Full-Time); 15+ Months (Part-Time)
- Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
- NCLEX Pass Rates: 89.60%
SDSU’s 100% Online RN to BSN comes from a regional powerhouse. The College of Nursing (CON) produces around 1/3 of newly licensed RNs in South Dakota and it has a long track record of quality. It runs a Rural Nurse Fellow Program for BSN-level nursing students. It plays host to the Native American Nursing Education Center (NANEC). It achieves excellent NCLEX & APRN pass rates. And it offers a number of nursing scholarships.
2. University of South Dakota
- Program: Online RN to BSN
- RN to BSN Credits: 30
- Length: 3 Semesters (Full-Time); 4+ Semesters (Part-Time)
- Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
- NCLEX Pass Rates: 94.10%
USD’s 100% Online RN to BSN is cohort-based—you’ll move through the program with the support of your fellow students. You can also choose your own time-frame: Accelerated (3 semesters), Traditional (4 semesters), or Progressive (one course per semester). USD’s Department of Nursing is backed by the School of Health Sciences and its reputation for outreach & interdisciplinary training.
Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs in South Dakota
South Dakota is not a cheap state for Online RN to BSN students. Total tuition costs at USD usually exceed $12,000. SDSU is under $10,000 for South Dakota RNs, but you may find cheaper options in neighboring states (e.g. Minnesota) and our rankings of the Most Affordable Online RN to BSN Programs in the country.
1. South Dakota State University
- Program: Online RN to BSN
- RN to BSN Credits: 30
- Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: No
- Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
- NCLEX Pass Rates: 89.60%
For the 100% Online RN to BSN, SDSU offers discounted tuition rates to South Dakota RNs and anyone who lives in a South Dakota Advantage state (e.g. Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Illinois and Wisconsin). There’s a separate (and slightly more expensive) rate for Minnesota students. The price for anyone outside of those territories will be $12,000+.
Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in South Dakota
To qualify for our Fastest rankings, South Dakota Online RN to BSN programs had to be less than 3 semesters/1 year in length. If you’re interested in self-paced options, be sure to check out our rankings of the Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in the country.
1. South Dakota State University
- Program: Online RN to BSN
- RN to BSN Credits: 30
- Length: 10 Months (Full-Time); 15+ Months (Part-Time)
- Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
- NCLEX Pass Rates: 89.60%
On a full-time schedule, SDSU’s 100% Online RN to BSN can be completed in 10 months (e.g. 12 credits every semester). Fewer than 12 credits would mean 15+ months. One thing to note—although the RN to BSN core curriculum is 24 credits, you need to tackle an additional 6 credits of electives to achieve the 30 credits required for program completion.
RN to BSN Scholarships in South Dakota
Statewide Scholarships for South Dakota RN to BSN Students
South Dakota Nursing Organization Scholarships
In your search for statewide nursing awards, start with SD nursing organizations. Examples include:
- South Dakota Nurses Foundation (SDNF) Scholarships
- South Dakota Health Care Association (SDHCA) Scholarship
South Dakota Healthcare System & University Partnerships
Do you work for a South Dakota hospital or healthcare system? Before you choose an Online RN to BSN program, talk to your HR representative about your education plans.
- As an employee, you may be eligible for tuition reimbursement, tuition discounts, loan forgiveness programs, and more.
- In some cases, you may even be able to get a discount on an Online RN to BSN in another part of the country.
South Dakota Hospital Scholarships
South Dakota hospitals also offer their own awards! Some of these scholarships will be for nursing employees; some will be open to students in the region or employee dependents. Here are just a few examples:
- Avera Health Care & Employee Scholarships
- Sanford Health Scholarships
- Yankton Medical Clinic Scholarships
South Dakota Community Foundation Scholarships
Take a moment to find your local Community Foundation in SD and ask them about scholarship opportunities. Although most awards will be reserved for recent high school graduates, there are exceptions (e.g. Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation (SFACF) Scholarships for Current College Students).
University Scholarships for South Dakota RN to BSN Students
Your best bets for nursing scholarships will be at SDSU and UND. These are big public schools with big endowment pockets.
South Dakota State University
University of South Dakota
RN to BSN Requirements in South Dakota
RN Licensure: Online RN to BSN degrees are classified as “post-licensure” programs. South Dakota universities will expect you to have—or be in the process of earning—an RN license. If you’re still waiting to sit the NCLEX exam, you may have a little leeway. Schools will often grant you conditional acceptance while you wait for results.
- Have questions about state RN licensure? Talk to the South Dakota Board of Nursing (SDBON).
- Wondering about program quality? Check out the SDBON Annual Report of Nursing Education Programs. It contains all kinds of stats on NDBON-approved programs, including NCLEX pass rates, faculty data, graduation data, and a whole lot more.
State Authorization: Do you live out-of-state? It looks like South Dakota schools are happy to accept RNs from any NC-SARA area, but it never hurts to check with the RN to BSN program coordinator. Online programs are often subject to state authorization rules.
South Dakota Online RN to BSN Programs: FAQs
Are 100% Online RN to BSN Programs in South Dakota Available?
Yes. USD and SDSU’s programs are designed to be 100% online, with no campus requirements. However, you’ll still be expected to complete clinical practicums in your local area.
Can I Choose a “No Clinicals” South Dakota Online RN to BSN Program?
Because of accreditation rules, CCNE- and ACEN-accredited Online RN to BSN programs invariably contain on-the-ground practicums. However, these clinical experiences can be completed in your home community and/or workplace. BSN-level practicums will primarily be focused on public & community health and leadership training.
Do I Need Statistics to Apply for South Dakota Online RN to BSN Programs?
Check with the RN to BSN program coordinator. When we looked at prerequisites for SDSU and USD, we saw that they included a Mathematics course (SGR Goal #5), but this doesn’t necessarily have to be statistics. Even if you do need stats, you should be able to take it as a “co-requisite.”
Are There Any Online RN to BSN to MSN Programs in South Dakota?
Yes. If you’re interested in graduate work—but you need a BSN for employment purposes—check out SDSU’s Online RN to MSN pathway! In this scenario:
- Eligible RN to BSN students can request approval to substitute 4 graduate-level nursing courses during their bachelor’s degree.
- Formal application to the Graduate Program is made in the final spring semester of the BSN.
- Keep in mind that this pathway requires completion of an approved statistics course within 5 years of enrollment in Nurse 626 – Research in Nursing & Healthcare.
Want even more choice? Explore the online offerings in our state-by-state listings of RN to BSN to MSN Programs.
