5 schools · South Dakota
LPN and CNA programs in South Dakota
5 schools in South Dakota offer LPN and CNA programs (5 of them public), with 4 certificate and 1 associate programs between them. Graduates of the typical certificate program here earned $47,904 a year after finishing, compared with $49,356 nationally.
All LPN and CNA programs in South Dakota
Sorted by earnings one year after graduation. Click a heading to sort; tuition is the school's yearly tuition and fees (2025-26), in-state for public schools.
| School | Type | Credential | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt | School tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Dakota Technical CollegeRapid City, SD | Community college | Certificate | 54 | $50,533 | $53,976 | $14,500 | $8,526 |
| Lake Area Technical CollegeWatertown, SD | Community college | Certificate | 94 | $47,904 | $56,633 | $11,000 | $7,622 |
| Southeast Technical CollegeSioux Falls, SD | Community college | Certificate | 106 | $43,890 | $55,993 | $9,500 | $8,365 |
| Mitchell Technical CollegeMitchell, SD | Community college | Certificate | 18 | n/a | n/a | $9,212 | $7,854 |
| Sinte Gleska UniversityMission, SD | Community college | Associate degree | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $4,714 |
Cities with the most programs: Rapid City (1), Watertown (1), Sioux Falls (1), Mitchell (1), Mission (1).
What counts: practical and vocational nursing (LPN, LVN) and nursing assistants (CNA).
Frequently asked questions
How many LPN and CNA programs are in South Dakota?
5 schools in South Dakota awarded LPN and CNA certificates or associate degrees recently, according to the U.S. Department of Education: 4 certificate and 1 associate programs.
Which LPN and CNA program in South Dakota has the highest earnings?
Western Dakota Technical College in Rapid City, where certificate graduates earned a median of $50,533 one year after finishing (programs with at least 5 graduates).
What is the cheapest LPN and CNA school in South Dakota?
By yearly tuition and fees, Sinte Gleska University in Mission charges $4,714 (2025-26, in-state). Program fees, tools and licensing exams can add to that, so ask the school.
How much do LPN and CNA graduates make in South Dakota?
The typical certificate program in South Dakota reported median earnings of $47,904 one year after graduation and $55,993 four years after, for graduates who received federal aid and were working.
More in South Dakota: all trade schools · colleges
Other trades: Welding · HVAC · Electrician · Construction trades · Auto and diesel mechanic · Cosmetology and barbering · Culinary arts · Medical assistant · Dental assisting and hygiene · Phlebotomy and medical lab · EMT, surgical tech and imaging · Medical billing and coding · Massage therapy
LPN and CNA programs nationwide
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (institution and field of study files), data release of October 15, 2026. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working, not enrolled. What each figure covers.