Top 3 Artificial Intelligence Programs in South Dakota 2025
Lake Area Technical College
31 artificial intelligence graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
7 artificial intelligence graduates annually, 95% graduation rate
Augustana University
11 artificial intelligence graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
- 1.South Dakota offers 5+ accredited artificial intelligence programs across public and private universities
- 2.Lake Area Technical College leads with strong% graduation rate
- 3.South Dakota software developers earn median $84,320 annually (BLS OES 2024)
- 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen
- 5.Cost of living index: 95.6% of US average (below average)
Artificial Intelligence Education in South Dakota: Overview
South Dakota offers 5 accredited artificial intelligence programs, producing approximately 52 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, with major employers including Raven Industries, Daktronics, First Premier Bank.
With a median software developer salary of $84,320 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 95.6% compared to the US average, South Dakota offers above-average purchasing power for tech workers.
The top artificial intelligence programs in the state are led by Lake Area Technical College, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Augustana University, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
South Dakota Artificial Intelligence Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Area Technical College | Watertown, SD | Public | $3,720 | — | 53.6 |
| 2 | South Dakota School of Mines and Technology | Rapid City, SD | Public | $7,800 | 95% | 47.5 |
| 3 | Augustana University | Sioux Falls, SD | Private | $38,150 | — | 43.9 |
| 4 | University of Sioux Falls | Sioux Falls, SD | Private | $20,340 | 90% | 41.1 |
| 5 | Dakota State University | Madison, SD | Public | $7,616 | 93% | 40.2 |
Top 5 Artificial Intelligence Programs in South Dakota: Side-by-Side
| School | Lake Area Technical College | South Dakota School of... | Augustana | U of Sioux Falls | Dakota State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $3,720 | $7,800 | $38,150 | $20,340 | $7,616 |
| Graduation Rate | N/A% | 95% | N/A% | 90% | 93% |
| Annual Graduates | 31 | 7 | 11 | 1 | 2 |
| Acceptance Rate | N/A | 85% | 59% | 82% | 98% |
| Type | Public | Public | Private | Private | Public |
| Score | 53.6/100 | 47.5/100 | 43.9/100 | 41.1/100 | 40.2/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Artificial Intelligence in South Dakota
South Dakota offers 3 bachelor's-level artificial intelligence programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are Augustana University, University of Sioux Falls, Dakota State University. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $59,024 in the South Dakota market.
A bachelor's in artificial intelligence typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Artificial Intelligence Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Artificial Intelligence Bachelor's Programs in South Dakota
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Augustana | $38,150 | N/A% | 11 | 43.9 |
| #2 U of Sioux Falls | $20,340 | 90% | 1 | 41.1 |
| #3 Dakota State | $7,616 | 93% | 2 | 40.2 |
Top Artificial Intelligence Schools for Master's Degrees in South Dakota
For graduate study, South Dakota offers 1 master's-level artificial intelligence programs. Leading institutions include South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in South Dakota reaching $109,616 or more.
Explore our complete national rankings of the best artificial intelligence master's programs for more options beyond South Dakota.
Top 3 Artificial Intelligence Master's Programs in South Dakota
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 South Dakota School of... | $7,800 | 95% | 7 | 47.5 |
Most Affordable Artificial Intelligence Colleges in South Dakota
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable artificial intelligence programs in South Dakota are at Lake Area Technical College ($3,720/year), Dakota State University ($7,616/year), South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ($7,800/year). These programs offer strong ROI given South Dakota's competitive tech salaries.
At Lake Area Technical College, a 4-year degree costs approximately $14,880 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $59,024, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.6 years. See our Most Affordable Artificial Intelligence Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Artificial Intelligence Programs in South Dakota (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Lake Area Technical College | $3,720 | $14,880 | 0.6 years | Public |
| #2 Dakota State | $7,616 | $30,464 | 1.3 years | Public |
| #3 South Dakota School of... | $7,800 | $31,200 | 1.3 years | Public |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Artificial Intelligence Schools in South Dakota
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 artificial intelligence programs in South Dakota, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.
Lake Area Technical College
Watertown, SD • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $3,720 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Artificial Intelligence Graduates: 31 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 53.6 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 31 artificial intelligence graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 53.6 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (31 graduates), state salary outcomes ($84,320), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Rapid City, SD • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $7,800 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 95% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Artificial Intelligence Graduates: 7 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 85%
- • Ranking Score: 47.5 / 100
Program Strengths
- 95% graduation rate
- 7 artificial intelligence graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 47.5 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (95%), program size (7 graduates), state salary outcomes ($84,320), and selectivity (85% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Augustana University
Sioux Falls, SD • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $38,150 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Artificial Intelligence Graduates: 11 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 59%
- • Ranking Score: 43.9 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 11 artificial intelligence graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 43.9 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (11 graduates), state salary outcomes ($84,320), and selectivity (59% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
Augustana offers an 11:1 student-faculty ratio with 100% of classes taught by professors (no teaching assistants), providing close mentorship opportunities and research collaboration. Students gain hands-on research experience in neuroscience labs working directly with faculty, with travel expenses often fully covered when presenting at national conferences.
Available Scholarships
University of Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls, SD • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $20,340 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 90% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Artificial Intelligence Graduates: 1 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 82%
- • Ranking Score: 41.1 / 100
Program Strengths
- 90% graduation rate
- 1 artificial intelligence graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 41.1 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (90%), program size (1 graduates), state salary outcomes ($84,320), and selectivity (82% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
The University of Sioux Falls offers an accredited Computer Science degree from a Christian university with research opportunities including senior seminar projects and the chance to present work at regional and national conferences. The program emphasizes service leadership and values-based education while preparing students for diverse tech careers including artificial intelligence and machine learning roles.
Admissions
- Min GPA: 2.25
Career Outcomes
- Starting Salary: $74,502
Dakota State University
Madison, SD • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $7,616 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 93% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Artificial Intelligence Graduates: 2 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 98%
- • Ranking Score: 40.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- 93% graduation rate
- 2 artificial intelligence graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 40.2 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (93%), program size (2 graduates), state salary outcomes ($84,320), and selectivity (98% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Machine Learning Engineer
SOC 15-2051Machine Learning Engineer opportunities in South Dakota with strong job growth.
AI Research Scientist
SOC 15-2051AI Research Scientist opportunities in South Dakota with strong job growth.
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Data Scientist opportunities in South Dakota with strong job growth.
NLP Engineer
SOC 15-2051NLP Engineer opportunities in South Dakota with strong job growth.
Computer Vision Engineer
SOC 15-2051Computer Vision Engineer opportunities in South Dakota with strong job growth.
Artificial Intelligence Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Washington
Massachusetts
Illinois
Georgia
Which Should You Choose?
- You want access to tech jobs in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen
- You're seeking lower cost of living (95.6% of US average)
- You want to work at companies like Raven Industries or Daktronics
- You prefer South Dakota's quality of life
- You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
- You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs South Dakota's 5)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration
Artificial Intelligence in South Dakota FAQ
Based on 5 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Artificial Intelligence degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
South Dakota-specific salaries from BLS OES May 2024
Related Resources
Data Sources & Methodology
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System - program completions, graduation rates, tuition, admissions
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - South Dakota salary data
2023-2033 occupational outlook and growth projections
Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.