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.
2025 Best Online Community Colleges in South Dakota
| Rank | School | Salary Score | B- | 213 | N/A | 242 | B- 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. #2
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. #3
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. South Dakota Community College SystemThe 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. Student Reviews of Online Associate ProgramsI have greatly enjoyed my time at Troy. I have no complaints. Review Date: 10/13/2013 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: No I am enjoying my UMA experience. The courses are very informative, relevant, and fun. Also, help your self-growth and social awareness. I couldn't have chose a better school to prep me for my future career. All staff, from instructors to advisors to student services, are helpful and encouraging. They have help/advice to assist with school, career and personal life. UMA is a school I would recommend to anyone who wants a career in various branches and levels of Healthcare. I'm 43 y.o. and I was nervous... Read More Review Date: 4/15/2024 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: No Amazing help from beginning middle and end! Classes challenging and exciting! I would definitely recommend UMA! You interact with your professors and your classmates on a weekly basis you are challenged with your knowledge at the time to do your test at every week. You have several exciting assignments that you feel really proud of when you would get them right! The best thing about UMA is they care beyond schooling they also provide council and therapy for their students. Review Date: 4/1/2025 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: Yes I am really grateful to have passed through the school UMA. I met excellent instructors, academic advisors, etc. They are ever ready and happy to assist whenever l call. I am one of the online students. I always call the academic advisors or students finance department and they will always pick my calls and put me through no matter what my confusion is or the reason why I called. They are always there for the students. Review Date: 1/22/2025 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: Yes I believe joining the UMA Team was the Greatest decision I have ever made in my entire life. My student advisors that I've had so far are awesome, the classroom support techs go above and beyond to help fix any problem you throw at them, and the classroom instructors are 100% there for you waiting for you to ask them for help. They don't dread you asking questions or for help that's what they want because they are there ready and willing to help you learn the right way correctly. Thank you especially... Read More Review Date: 7/29/2024 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: No Jasmine was great to work with! I felt that I never really had to be worried about the process of applying and getting started at St. Kate's. I always enjoyed our weekly calls to check in and make sure we were still on track. I will say the last-minute change in the curriculum was somewhat frustrating, but I'm sure with rolling admissions there is never really a great time. Review Date: 5/19/2022 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: No I am glad I came on board with UMA. As online student…I have gone through my lessons everyday I understand much better adding on unto my medical leadership career that all persons are important in the affairs of ecosystem space, imparting lives.. I do like the Students’ discussion board. Where everyone is knitted together on shared ideas, experience and great academic unity outside the classroom. UMA is a great place to be for your degree program and or any other desired academic.you would like to... Read More Review Date: 3/21/2022 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: No I'm impressed with LU Online, and the school in general. To save money I decided to complete my general studies online then transition onto campus. My professors/instructors have been excellent, for the most part. They're positive, encouraging and knowledgable. They challenge me to be a better student. Extra help is available, if needed, and they respond to questions in a timely manner. I like the mix of backgrounds, ages, professions, etc... in the students I interact with online. Students are kind... Read More Review Date: 3/7/2022 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: No Great School so far student advisors are wonderful. I have already recommended a family member who has spoken with someone about attending she just has to see how her financial aid is going to go. So far the professors have been good and understanding of the fact that we all have lives outside of school and things happen that are out of our control. Review Date: 6/28/2021 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: No it is a good, very very very affordable school. even if you are an out of state student the online classes are very much affordable. good if you are paying for school yourself. the admissions office however seems to misplace documents quite often tho :/ Review Date: 12/4/2020 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: No Broward College has been absolutely amazing for taking the first few steps in beginning my career. The education that it offers, excels you to that next step in your career that you need to get to. The staff makes sure that you are getting the education that you paid for. Review Date: 7/13/2016 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: Yes Columbia Basin is an amazing community college. All the professors I had the privilege of working with were very helpful, friendly and truly were interested in my success and my future. The science professors at this college go above and beyond to help you understand the coursework and their expectations of you. I have attended many Community Colleges throughout the years, and Columbia Basin College far exceeds any of them. Review Date: 6/27/2019 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: Yes I am almost finished with my associates degree in legal studies/legal support. This college has a great faculty, many resources for success, tools available to help with all situations (tutoring, paper checking, APA formatting). Overall I have immensely enjoyed my time here and the experiences i have had with the staff and faculty. I love the opportunities i will be able to explore with my degree. The program plans are very inclusive and have gotten more in depth and more challenging in all the right... Read More Review Date: 2/28/2019 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: Yes So a bit of backstory, I more or less joined this university right after high school and I come from a household that makes under $20,000 a year. I saw this school as a stepping stone to my bachelor's degree as I'd only get my AAS in graphic design here to make the other cheaper. I'm one of only two members of my family that I know of that have gone to college at least once. And finally, one of my siblings at the time was in the military and required my help as I was the only one available to help... Read More Review Date: 6/5/2021 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: No School was great and very flexible. I suggest this school to advance current training and your career. The teachers are very understanding and very intelligent. I believe this has helped me a ton. This school has a great technical staff and adviser staff. However, my only complaint is the financial aid department but most schools financial aid departments are terrrible Review Date: 12/26/2015 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: Yes My review of ECTC is that it was overall an outstanding and affordable experience to earn my associate degree. I was able to complete classes in my desired format and often at my own pace. The overall cost of attending was affordable and worthwhile overall. Review Date: 8/8/2025 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: Yes Dealing with this college has been a struggle the entire time. Office hours and class availability are not designed for those who work an 8-5 job. Limited evening classes, advisor hours are until 4pm (you will need to take off work several hours just to meet with your advisor or get a student ID) - websites are convoluted and tuition is increasing even though they do not offer more selections. This is NOT the college for working adults. I should have done better research before enrolling, avoid this... Read More Review Date: 9/23/2019 Would Recommend: No Helpful for Career: No I just graduated from Keiser University at the Port Saint Lucie campus. My experience at Keiser was great and while I do agree that they are expensive, I can tell you first and foremost, they really do care about your success. I hit a rough patch and was having trouble in my class and J. in financial aid actually took the time to talk with me, give me advise, motivated and actually put me with the dean where I was given tutoring by teachers that seemed to really care about me. I was able to pass... Read More Review Date: 1/5/2018 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: Yes Great college friendly staff, helpful, and inexpensive. I went there while I was in the Army at Ft. Riley. Later I finished my degree with online classes. Great place to take classes on campus at Junction City or on Ft. Riley post. I was unsure about taking online classes but all was perfect. Review Date: 10/11/2017 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: Yes As a single parent, taking online classes was a must, so I was very pleased with the amount of online courses offered. Review Date: 1/13/2015 Would Recommend: Yes Helpful for Career: No Why Trust Us?27 Data Researchers 60,000 Degrees Researched Annually 20,000 Hours Spent on Research Annually Launching Rankings Since 2009 Related Articles |
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