South Dakota Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide
If you’re preparing for a teaching career in South Dakota, you’ll need to complete an accredited, state-approved educator preparation program. This guide is here to help you review your options for teacher training and degree programs offered by South Dakota colleges and universities. Below, you’ll find a comparison table of approved schools, plus lists of reliable and affordable programs to help you identify the right path for your teaching goals in South Dakota.
Table of Contents
- SD Teacher Preparation Program Comparison
- 9 Affordable SD Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Top-Ranked South Dakota Education Programs
- Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
Comparison of South Dakota Schools With Teacher Preparation Programs
The table below compares 11 South Dakota teacher preparation programs across key factors. All of the schools included are not-for-profit institutions approved by the South Dakota Board of Education (SD BOE). Completing a state-approved program is a key step toward licensure. While Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation is not required for licensure, we include it because CAEP is a nationally respected accreditor whose standards are recognized or accepted in many states.
Data includes enrollment, completion, and pass rates for traditional and alternative programs, based on the 2024 Title II Report (2022-2023 school year). Traditional programs are usually part of a bachelor’s degree, while alternative certification programs target career changers and may lead to a certificate or master’s degree. Many schools offer both—review our South Dakota traditional certification guide and our South Dakota alternative certification guide for more. Net price reflects the average annual cost for in-state undergraduates—tuition, books, room and board—minus grants and scholarships.
| State-Approved School | CAEP Accred.?1 | Trad. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Trad. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2 | Trad. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Net Price3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augustana University | No | 99 | 33 | 91% | — | — | — | $24,322 |
| Black Hills State University | Yes | 280 | 101 | 100% | — | — | — | $16,706 |
| Dakota State University | Yes | 115 | 74 | 95% | — | — | — | $17,861 |
| Dakota Wesleyan University | No | 61 | 20 | 100% | — | — | — | $19,377 |
| Mount Marty University | No | 39 | 9 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $18,924 |
| Northern State University | Yes | 342 | 72 | 100% | — | — | — | $16,404 |
| Oglala Lakota College | No | 119 | 4 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $2,068 |
| Sinte Gleska University | No | 4 | 3 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $9,010 |
| South Dakota State University | Yes | 327 | 113 | 89% | — | — | — | $17,894 |
| University of Sioux Falls | Yes | 128 | 48 | 100% | — | — | — | $21,824 |
| University of South Dakota | Yes | 321 | 87 | 100% | — | — | — | $18,480 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Education Programs in South Dakota
Our list of the most affordable bachelor’s in education programs is based on the net price per year for undergraduate tuition. Net price is the average cost of attendance after grants and scholarships are applied. These nine most affordable schools have a net price under $20,000.
- Oglala Lakota College ($2,068)
- Sinte Gleska University ($9,010)
- Northern State University ($16,404)
- Black Hills State University ($16,706)
- Dakota State University ($17,861)
- South Dakota State University ($17,894)
- University of South Dakota ($18,480)
- Mount Marty University ($18,924)
- Dakota Wesleyan University ($19,377)3
Top-Ranked Schools With Education Programs in South Dakota
Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs in South Dakota
Our list of the top five bachelor’s in education programs is based on the traditional pathway pass rate data from the 2024 Title II Reports.
- Black Hills State University (100%)
- Dakota Wesleyan University (100%)
- Northern State University (100%)
- University of Sioux Falls (100%)
- University of South Dakota (100%)2
Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational level required to qualify for state certification, an associate degree can be the first step toward a career in education. It can qualify graduates for careers in non-licensed roles in early childhood education, after-school care, and related areas. The credits earned from an accredited associate degree program can also typically be transferred toward a bachelor’s degree. The four South Dakota schools below offer associate degrees in education.3 Schools with an asterisk (*) also offer four-year teaching programs and/or alternative route to certification programs.
- Black Hills State University*
- Mount Marty University*
- Oglala Lakota College*
- Sinte Gleska University*
References:
1. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
2. US Department of Education 2024 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
3. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/