Accredited nursing programs in South Dakota
9 schools in South Dakota have at least one nursing program accredited by ACEN or CCNE: 6 BSN, 3 ADN, 3 LPN, 4 MSN programs. For the bachelor’s degree, 6 of 6 listings are CCNE and 0 are ACEN.
- Bachelor's programs
- 6
- 0 ACEN, 6 CCNE
- Associate programs
- 3
- 3 ACEN, 0 CCNE
- Practical programs
- 3
- 3 ACEN, 0 CCNE
- Master's programs
- 4
- 0 ACEN, 4 CCNE
Accredited schools in South Dakota
| School | City | Type | BSN | ADN | LPN | MSN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augustana University | Sioux Falls | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Dakota Wesleyan University | Mitchell | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Lake Area Technical College | Watertown | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Mount Marty University | Yankton | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| South Dakota State University | Brookings | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Southeast Technical College | Sioux Falls | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| University of Sioux Falls | Sioux Falls | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
| University of South Dakota | Vermillion | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Western Dakota Technical College | Rapid City | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
Programs listed as accredited in the ACEN directory (opens in a new tab) and the CCNE directory (opens in a new tab), collected November 2026 and matched to schools by name and city. Programs in candidacy are not counted. A dash means no accredited program at that level was matched.
What accreditation means in South Dakota
Two separate approvals apply to a nursing program. The South Dakota board of nursing approves programs so their graduates can sit the NCLEX. Programmatic accreditation from ACEN or CCNE is voluntary and is judged by a national peer body.
Bachelor's programs are the most common accredited level here, with 6. For bachelor’s degrees, 6 of 6 schools reporting graduates to the federal government matched an accredited program (100%).
Common questions
How many nursing schools in South Dakota are accredited?
We matched 9 South Dakota schools to at least one accredited nursing program in the ACEN and CCNE directories: 6 BSN, 3 ADN, 3 LPN, 4 MSN. Schools with several programs appear once.
What is the difference between ACEN and CCNE?
ACEN accredits nursing programs at every level, from practical nursing to doctorates. CCNE accredits bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs. Both are recognized by the US Department of Education.
Do I need an accredited program to become a nurse in South Dakota?
Not always. The state board of nursing approves programs for licensure, and that is a separate approval from ACEN or CCNE accreditation. Accreditation still matters for transferring credits, federal and employer tuition benefits, and entry to graduate programs.
Are all South Dakota bachelor’s programs accredited?
6 of the 6 South Dakota schools that report nursing bachelor’s graduates to the federal government matched an accredited listing. A school that does not match may be new, may be listed under another name, or may lack accreditation, so check the accreditor’s own directory before you apply.