South Dakota has more accelerated nursing options than many nearby Midwestern states, especially for students willing to compare public, private, hybrid, and faith-based programs. Current ABSN pathways range from about 14 to 20 months, with tuition ranging from roughly $26,000 to more than $64,000 depending on the school, delivery format, and transfer credits.
Some programs focus heavily on affordability, while others emphasize hybrid flexibility, holistic nursing, or compressed clinical schedules. South Dakota students should compare more than just program length before choosing a second degree nursing program.
High Level Comparison
| School | Location | Duration | Tuition (Est.) | Application Deadlines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Rapid City, Sioux Falls | 5 compressed terms | $28K (SD Advantage rate) | Rapid City Start: January Sioux Falls Start: August | |
Sioux Falls | 16 months | $26K–$27K | Priority Deadline: July 1 Final Deadline: January 2 | |
Sioux Falls | 16 months | $38K–$40K | Fall Cohort Deadline: February 15 | |
Draper, UT (Hybrid) | 20 months | $61K–$64K | Rolling Admissions |
How to Choose a South Dakota ABSN Programs
TLDR: Which South Dakota ABSN Program Fits You Best?
Joyce University fits students who need maximum flexibility or who want to avoid spending extra time completing prerequisite science coursework before beginning nursing school.
Choose South Dakota State University if you want one of the most affordable accelerate nursing options in the region, multiple campus locations, and strong regional tuition discounts.
Choose University of Sioux Falls if you want a lower-cost private ABSN with strong NCLEX outcomes and early clinical exposure in Sioux Falls.
Choose Augustana University if you want a holistic nursing approach, strong simulation training, and a structured cohort experience.
Choose Joyce University if you need a hybrid ABSN that includes prerequisites directly inside the curriculum and minimizes campus travel.
Program Length and Format
The shortest pathway in this group is South Dakota State University’s accelerated BSN structure, which compresses coursework into five intensive terms lasting between eight and 12 weeks. The pacing is aggressive, but the lower tuition helps offset the intensity for many students.
The University of Sioux Falls and Augustana University both use 16-month formats. These programs follow structured, campus-based schedules with in-person labs, simulation experiences, and local clinical rotations in Sioux Falls healthcare systems.
Joyce University takes longer at roughly 20 months, but the hybrid delivery model creates more flexibility for working adults and students outside South Dakota. Most coursework is asynchronous online, while campus travel is condensed into short immersion experiences.
Students comparing accelerate nursing programs should also consider how often they need to physically attend campus. A 20-month hybrid model may still feel more manageable than a shorter fully in-person program.
Most Affordable South Dakota ABSN Programs
South Dakota State University is one of the most affordable ABSN programs in the Midwest. Through the South Dakota Advantage tuition program, students from multiple neighboring states receive the same discounted tuition rate as South Dakota residents.
The University of Sioux Falls is also competitively priced for a private ABSN program. Tuition generally falls between $25,650 and $27,000, making it one of the lower-cost private second degree nursing programs in the region.
Augustana falls into the mid-range price category, while Joyce University carries the highest estimated cost because it bundles prerequisite coursework directly into the curriculum.
Prerequisite Course Patterns
Most South Dakota ABSN programs require science prerequisites before students begin upper-division nursing coursework. Common requirements include:
- Anatomy and Physiology,
- Microbiology,
- Chemistry,
- Nutrition,
- Statistics,
- Psychology,
- Lifespan Development
South Dakota State University, Augustana University, and the University of Sioux Falls all expect applicants to complete prerequisites before entering nursing courses. Joyce University is the exception because it builds anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathophysiology, and statistics directly into the program itself.
Several schools also place minimum grade requirements on science coursework. Applicants should review prerequisite timelines carefully because some programs limit how old science courses can be.
Start Dates and Cohort Availability
Schools with Fall-Only Starts
Augustana University admits only one ABSN cohort each fall. Because seats are limited, applications may close before the posted deadline once the class fills.
Schools with Spring or Summer Starts
South Dakota State University offers different entry terms depending on location. Rapid City students begin in January, while Sioux Falls students begin in August.
The University of Sioux Falls also centers around a January cohort schedule.
Rolling vs Fixed Admissions
The University of Sioux Falls uses rolling review even though the cohort begins in January. Applying early may improve placement opportunities before the final deadline arrives.
Joyce University offers one of the more flexible admissions structures in this comparison because the hybrid model supports multiple entry pathways and transfer evaluations throughout the year.
Clinical Training Structure
Clinical preparation varies significantly across South Dakota ABSN programs.
South Dakota State University integrates clinical learning throughout every term and estimates between 620 and 945 clinical practice hours depending on rotations and placement structure. Students train in hospitals and community healthcare settings tied to Rapid City and Sioux Falls.
The University of Sioux Falls starts clinicals during the first semester. Students rotate through hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities while using advanced simulation labs to reinforce patient-care skills.
Augustana University also emphasizes simulation training heavily. Weekly clinical placements occur in Sioux Falls healthcare systems, and leadership practicums help students transition into professional RN roles before graduation.
Joyce University combines locally arranged clinical placements with high-fidelity simulation immersions at its Draper campus. The hybrid structure keeps travel relatively limited while still meeting hands-on clinical requirements.
South Dakota ABSN Program Summaries
Augustana University ABSN Program
Sioux Falls | $38,000 | 16 Months
Augustana University’s Accelerated BSN program is a 16-month, full-time program that blends classroom instruction with hands-on clinical practice. It offers 50 credit hours covering nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, adult health, maternal and newborn care, pediatrics, leadership, and behavioral health nursing. The program prepares graduates for nursing licensure and professional practice in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings... read more.
Joyce University ABSN Program
Draper | $60,520 | 20 Months
Joyce’s hybrid second-degree BSN integrates required sciences and combines online coursework with Utah skills immersions and assigned clinical placements. Completion in as few as 20 months requires qualifying transfer credits. Estimated tuition is $60,520, with a separate $3,710 NCLEX Resources Fee. Clinical schedules and locations are assigned and may require travel; the 517.5 training hours combine simulation and direct care.
South Dakota State ABSN Program
Rapid City, Sioux Falls | $27,962 | 12 Months
The Accelerated BSN program at South Dakota State University offers a 12-month pathway for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field, with start dates in Rapid City (January) and Sioux Falls (August). Accredited and boasting a 95.17% first-time NCLEX pass rate, the program features a holistic admissions process, robust clinical experiences across specialties, and advanced simulation labs. Students complete 120 credits, including core nursing courses like patient-centered care, pharmacology, mental health, maternal health, and population-based care, ensuring they are fully prepared to deliver safe and effective nursing care in diverse practice settings... read more.
University of Sioux Falls ABSN Program
Sioux Falls | $27,000 | 16 Months
The University of Sioux Falls Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program takes 16 months to complete and is delivered on-campus in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The program covers key nursing topics like medical-surgical care, maternal newborn care, pediatric care, and evidence-based practice, and it includes clinical experience starting in the first semester. With the highest NCLEX pass rate in South Dakota and a faith-based learning environment, the program helps students become skilled and compassionate nurses... read more.