Online ITPrograms
2027 State Guide
Best Online IT Programs in South Dakota (2027)
Online IT programs in South Dakota start with two degrees at two schools based here: two bachelor's degrees. The information sector employs 6,035 people in South Dakota, at 463 business locations.
- 2online programs
- $75,010network and computer systems administrator median
- 9,670computer jobs
Key Points
- Dakota State University's Cyber and Network Security, BS ranks first in South Dakota and places #20 of 57 in our national IT bachelor’s ranking.
- Total tuition for a South Dakota resident starts at $44,856.
- One public program charges residents less, saving up to $14,124 over the degree.
- Help desk work, the usual way in, has a $48,260 median in South Dakota.
- South Dakota pays network and systems administrators $75,010, 24% under the $99,130 national median.
Ordered by each program’s place in its national ranking. How we rank.
The Two Best Online IT Programs in South Dakota for 2027
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Dakota State University
Cyber and Network Security, BS
Madison is home to Dakota State University, where this cyber and network security bachelor's is available 100% online as well as on campus. Defensive hacking, network forensics and penetration testing form the security core, and students apply them while working with servers and intrusion prevention systems.
Operating systems and computer hardware are part of the training: installation, configuration and troubleshooting. A trio of courses leads into CCNA preparation, since DSU is a Cisco Networking Academy, and self-paced learning with expert support is built around those courses. The program is 120 credits. Full-time and part-time enrollment both work, as do remote, in-person and hybrid attendance, and starts are available in fall, spring and summer. A graduate may head toward systems engineer or network specialist work.
- Online tuition
- $491.50 per credit$373.80 in state · $58,980 total for 120 credits
- Credits
- 120
- Graduation rate
- 51%school-wide
- Median earnings
- $58,1661 year after
- Graduates in this field
- 272023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- HLC, CAE-CD schoolHigher Learning Commission
- Starts
- Fall, Spring, Summer
-
National American University-Rapid City
Information Technology, BS
Rapid City is where National American University is based, and its FOCUSED bachelor's in information technology is a fully online program. The curriculum is a streamlined pathway of 30 courses, totaling 135 quarter credits against 180 in the traditional version, and it was designed for working adults.
Instead of wide-ranging electives, students concentrate on the major and a chosen focus area. Options include cybersecurity, network administration, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence and machine learning. Students who prefer breadth can ask about the Generalist option, which lets eligible students build across several of those areas. Cloud Foundations Using AWS and Cybercrime and Information Systems are examples of titles along the way. Coursework draws on CompTIA and TestOut learning resources to support certification preparation.
- Credits
- 135quarter credits
- Median earnings
- $52,1291 year after
- Graduates in this field
- 72023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- HLCHigher Learning Commission
- Prepares for
- CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Linux+, Cloud+ (CertMaster Learn)
How Much an Online IT Degree Costs in South Dakota
Published online rates at schools based in South Dakota run from $374 per credit, using the in-state rate where a school charges residents less. For the one program that publish both a rate and a credit total, the full degree costs a South Dakota resident $44,856, against a national median of $41,760 across every ranked program. Fees, transfer credit and rate changes move these totals, so check each school’s tuition page before you apply.
Online IT Bachelor's Degrees in South Dakota
Two bachelor's programs are based in South Dakota: the Cyber and Network Security, BS at Dakota State University and the Information Technology, BS at National American University-Rapid City. Its total tuition for a South Dakota resident is $44,856, against a median of $59,580 for every bachelor's program in our rankings. Compare them with the national field in our online IT bachelor's degree rankings.
Tuition Discounts for South Dakota Residents
State Aid for South Dakota Residents
The South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship from the South Dakota Board of Regents is up to $7,500 for top high school graduates. Ask the agency whether your online program qualifies before you count on it.
In-State Online Tuition in South Dakota
One public program based in South Dakota charges online students who live in South Dakota less per credit than students from other states. The biggest gap is in the Cyber and Network Security, BS at Dakota State University: $44,856 in total for a South Dakota resident against $58,980 for everyone else, a difference of $14,124. How schools decide who counts as a resident.
Regional Tuition Exchanges for South Dakota Students
One exchange reaches South Dakota. Ask each school whether its online IT programs take part.
- Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE, run by WICHE): no more than 150% of the school’s resident tuition at participating public colleges. It covers undergraduate study.
Online IT Programs Near South Dakota
Minnesota has six programs, Nebraska has five programs, Iowa has two programs and North Dakota has two programs, and Montana and Wyoming have none of their own.
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Bellevue University
Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
One rate for everyone: $58,293. Information security analysts run 1.37 times the national share in South Dakota. Graduates report $67,678 after a year.
- Online tuition
- $459 per credit$58,293 total for 127 credits
- Credits
- 127
- Graduation rate
- 33%school-wide
- Median earnings
- $67,6781 year after
- Graduates in this field
- 1672023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- HLC, CAE-CD schoolHigher Learning Commission
-
Concordia University-Saint Paul
Information Technology, MS
One rate for everyone: $18,000. It leads toward South Dakota's 420 network architects. Up to 15 of 30 credits can transfer.
- Online tuition
- $600 per credit$18,000 total for 30 credits
- Credits
- 30
- Graduation rate
- 46%school-wide
- Graduates in this field
- 3712023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- HLCHigher Learning Commission
- Format
- Self-paced
- Transfer credits
- Up to 15
-
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Information Technology, BS
One rate for everyone: $39,600. It leads toward South Dakota's 390 web developers. Up to 66 of 90 credits can transfer.
- Online tuition
- $440 per credit$39,600 total for 90 credits
- Credits
- 90
- Graduation rate
- 66%school-wide
- Median earnings
- $25,5341 year after
- Graduates in this field
- 112023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- HLCHigher Learning Commission
- Format
- Courses from 8 weeks
- Transfer credits
- Up to 66
- Prepares for
- CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network+
South Dakota Programs in Our National Rankings
| Program | National ranking | Place |
|---|---|---|
| Cyber and Network Security, BS, Dakota State University | Networking | 8th of 17 |
| Cyber and Network Security, BS, Dakota State University | Cheapest | 17th of 35 |
| Cyber and Network Security, BS, Dakota State University | Bachelor's in IT | 20th of 57 |
| Information Technology, BS, National American University-Rapid City | With Certifications | 36th of 43 |
| Information Technology, BS, National American University-Rapid City | Bachelor's in IT | 42nd of 57 |
| Cyber and Network Security, BS, Dakota State University | CAE-CD Schools | 54th of 66 |
IT Jobs and Salaries in South Dakota
South Dakota’s best-paid IT role: IT managers, at $162,240; South Dakota’s lowest is $48,260, for help desk technicians. South Dakota’s largest IT group: 1,690 network and computer systems administrators.
| Role | Median pay | vs U.S. | Typical range | Jobs | Entry education | Salary guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT Manager | $162,240 | −7% | $119,670 to $221,420 | 380 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Network Engineer | $153,390 | +14% | $96,670 to $199,420 | 420 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Information Security Analyst | $116,640 | −10% | $71,610 to $161,700 | 770 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $99,790 | −6% | $66,710 to $156,170 | 1,110 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Database Administrator | $82,540 | −21% | $64,140 to $110,130 | 170 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrator | $75,010 | −24% | $56,640 to $107,240 | 1,690 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Network Support Specialist | $53,650 | −30% | $42,100 to $73,360 | 480 | Associate's degree | Salary guide |
| Web Developer | $51,100 | −45% | $40,120 to $70,410 | 390 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Help Desk Technician | $48,260 | −22% | $37,720 to $64,550 | 1,240 | Some college, no degree | Salary guide |
Median and percentile pay and local employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, South Dakota statewide (Sources; BLS OEWS). Typical entry education: BLS Employment Projections. The range runs from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Against U.S. medians, the biggest South Dakota premium: network engineers at $153,390 (+14%). Weakest in South Dakota: web developers, at $51,100 (−45%). 1 of 9 South Dakota roles out-earn the U.S. median.
Next in South Dakota: computer systems analysts (1,110 jobs, $99,790) and information security analysts (770 jobs, $116,640). In South Dakota, bachelor’s-level roles are 74% of IT jobs; South Dakota students can compare online IT bachelor’s degrees. Below a bachelor’s in South Dakota: help desk technicians (1,240 jobs, $48,260) and network support specialists (480 jobs, $53,650). For those South Dakota roles, see online IT associate degrees.
Living costs work in a worker's favor in South Dakota, where a price level of 88.6 makes a $75,010 administrator median worth $84,675. South Dakota pays network architects best against U.S. medians and web developers worst.
IT Pay by Metro Area in South Dakota
Sioux Falls, SD-MN is both the largest market and the best paid for administrators, at $77,140.
| Metro area | Computer jobs | Network and computer systems administrator median | Security analyst median | Help desk median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | 4,930 | $77,140 | $48,260 | |
| Rapid City, SD | 1,290 | $76,120 | $108,030 | $50,080 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 1,200 | $77,140 | $87,240 | $50,430 |
South Dakota IT Pay vs. Neighboring States
Every bordering state pays network and computer systems administrators more than South Dakota does.
IT Job Concentration in South Dakota
| IT job | Per thousand jobs | Vs. national share |
|---|---|---|
| Network and Computer Systems Administrator | 3.69 | 1.83× |
| Help Desk Technician | 2.72 | 0.59× |
| Computer Systems Analyst | 2.43 | 0.73× |
| Information Security Analyst | 1.68 | 1.37× |
| Network Support Specialist | 1.05 | 1.12× |
| Network Engineer | 0.92 | 0.80× |
| Web Developer | 0.85 | 1.88× |
| IT Manager | 0.84 | 0.19× |
| Database Administrator | 0.37 | 0.83× |
Employment and location quotients: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Cybersecurity Jobs in South Dakota
South Dakota’s labor market office projects the job to grow 33.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 30 openings a year.
Compare online cybersecurity degrees or read the security analyst salary guide.
Tech Jobs in South Dakota: The Industries Behind Them
Industry employment, establishments and payroll: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023. Average pay is annual payroll divided by employment.
IT Job Growth in South Dakota Through 2034
South Dakota’s labor market office projects information security analysts to grow fastest, by 33.2% from 2024 to 2034, and computer user support specialists to grow slowest, at -3%. Across the nine IT jobs below, it expects about 440 openings a year, from growth and from workers who retire or change fields. Nationally, the same job is projected to grow 28.5%.
| IT job | 2024 | 2034 | Growth | Openings a year | U.S. growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Security Analyst | 360 | 480 | +33.2% | 30 | +28.5% |
| Network Engineer | 560 | 670 | +19.7% | 40 | +11.9% |
| IT Manager | 430 | 500 | +16.2% | 40 | +15.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | 1,130 | 1,270 | +12.1% | 80 | +8.7% |
| Web Developer | 310 | 350 | +11.9% | 20 | +7.6% |
| Network Support Specialist | 630 | 640 | +1.7% | 40 | +1.8% |
| Database Administrator | 150 | 150 | -0.7% | 10 | -0.6% |
| Network Administrator and Systems Administrator | 1,770 | 1,740 | -1.8% | 80 | -4.2% |
| Help Desk | 1,790 | 1,740 | -3% | 100 | -3.7% |
State projections, 2024 to 2034: Projections Central, from South Dakota’s labor market information office. U.S. growth is the national projection on the same basis.
How to Choose an Online IT Program in South Dakota
The lowest resident total in South Dakota is $44,856, at Dakota State University. Largest IT occupation: 1,690 network and computer systems administrators.
Our guide to choosing by state covers cost, residency, authorization and accreditation.
Online IT Programs in Other States
- Alaska
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Montana
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- Nevada
- New York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Online IT Programs in South Dakota FAQ
How many online IT programs are based in South Dakota?
Two fully online IT programs, at two schools: two bachelor's degrees. One of them is at public schools.
What is the cheapest online IT program for South Dakota residents?
Among programs based in South Dakota with a published rate and credit total, the lowest for a South Dakota resident is $44,856, for the Cyber and Network Security, BS at Dakota State University.
Can South Dakota residents get a tuition discount at out-of-state schools?
South Dakota takes part in WUE. WUE offers no more than 150% of the school’s resident tuition at participating public colleges. Ask the school whether its online IT programs count.
What are the biggest IT jobs in South Dakota?
South Dakota's largest tracked IT jobs are network and systems administrators (1,690), help desk technicians (1,240) and computer systems analysts (1,110).
How many IT jobs are there in South Dakota?
South Dakota has 9,670 people working in computer occupations, at a $81,420 median.
Keep researching
Related Rankings and Guides
Sources
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state and metropolitan area estimates
- Projections Central, long-term occupational projections by state (base year 2024, projected to 2034), produced by state labor market information offices
- South Dakota labor market information office, long-term occupational projections
- BEA, Regional Price Parities by state (SARPP), all items, 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023, by state
- WICHE, Western Undergraduate Exchange
- NC-SARA, State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement
- Program pages for each South Dakota program ranked above, linked from its card