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.
2026 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 鈥� such as background checks, drug screens, and additional immunizations 鈥� 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. Why Trust Us?27 Data Researchers 60,000 Degrees Researched Annually 20,000 Hours Spent on Research Annually Launching Rankings Since 2009 |
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