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Key Takeaways
Best computer programming degree programs: Augustana, U of Sioux Falls,
Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality
Tuition ranges from $3,720 to $38,150/year
Lake Area Technical College offers the most affordable option at $3,720/yr
Computer Programming degree programs available: 2 associate's in South Dakota
From community college pathways to advanced research degrees
South Dakota community college transfer can save 40-60% on total degree costs
2 associate's programs provide transfer pathways to bachelor's degrees
Education Commission of the States
Major employers: Raven Industries, Daktronics, First Premier Bank, Sanford Health
Tech hubs in Sioux Falls and Rapid City
Hakia Research 2026
Computer Programming degree programs near 15+ cities across South Dakota
Search by city to find programs within 200 miles of your location
Updated June 28, 2026
How we ranked South Dakota Computer Programming programs
We rank 4 accredited computer programming programs in South Dakota using IPEDS 2024 institutional data, BLS OEWS 2024 state salary data, and College Scorecard outcomes. A 4-factor weighted composite is normalized to a 0–100 score. Schools cannot pay for placement; rankings are produced algorithmically.
Are Computer Programming Degree Programs in South Dakota Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Computer Programming Degree Rankings in South Dakota
Compare the top-ranked Computer Programming programs in South Dakota by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Computer Programming Programs in South Dakota
Program Landscape
South Dakota offers 2 accredited associate's degree programs in computer programming, providing an affordable entry point into the technology field. The top-ranked programs include Lake Area Technical College, Southeast Technical College, which combine rigorous technical curriculum with practical skills training.
Costs & Value
Community colleges in South Dakota offer these two-year programs at an average cost of $3,720/yr, significantly less than four-year university tuition. Students completing associate's degrees can pursue entry-level technical positions and transfer opportunities, with entry-level salaries averaging $46,376 in South Dakota.
Career Pathways
Many programs feature guaranteed transfer agreements with South Dakota's public universities, allowing students to complete their first two years at reduced cost before transferring to complete a bachelor's degree. The Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen areas offer particularly strong job markets for associate's degree holders, with employers like Raven Industries, Daktronics, First Premier Bank hiring for technical support, junior development, and IT specialist positions.
Curriculum & Specializations
Programs typically include coursework in programming fundamentals, database management, networking basics, and software development. Among computer programming schools in South Dakota, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their computer programming degrees in South Dakota.
Best Bachelor's Computer Programming Programs in South Dakota
Program Landscape
South Dakota ranks among the nation's top destinations for computer programming education, with 2 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 0 public and 2 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are Augustana, U of Sioux Falls, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from South Dakota computer programming programs earn a median salary of $71,672, 27% below the national average. The state's robust technology sector, anchored by the Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen metropolitan areas, provides abundant internship and employment opportunities with companies including Raven Industries, Daktronics, First Premier Bank.
Costs & Value
Tuition ranges from $20,340 to $38,150 annually, with an average of $29,245/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 90%, with the highest reaching 90%. Many programs hold ABET accreditation, the gold standard for computing education, ensuring curriculum meets rigorous industry standards.
Curriculum & Specializations
Students can choose from specializations including software engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, and systems architecture. Strong industry partnerships provide access to co-op programs, capstone projects with real companies, and direct recruiting pipelines to South Dakota's leading technology employers. For students seeking computer programming degrees in South Dakota, these top-ranked computer programming schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
Computer Programming Degree Costs & Tuition in South Dakota
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $16,483/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $41,208/year |
| Community college tuition | $4,121/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $98,900 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $24,724 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid & Scholarships for Computer Programming Students in South Dakota
State Aid Programs
South Dakota offers several financial aid pathways for computer programming students, beginning with the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship, a merit-based award program available to South Dakota high school graduates pursuing eligible programs. This state-level support complements federal financial aid programs, which all eligible students should explore through FAFSA. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens pathways to grants, loans, and work-study opportunities administered through the U.S. Department of Education. South Dakota's public institutions participating in the South Dakota Board of Regents system coordinate aid packages that often include institutional scholarships alongside federal support.
Key Programs & Amounts
A significant financial advantage for South Dakota residents is the state's no state income tax policy, which reduces the overall cost of living and allows graduates to retain more of their starting salaries. Both four-year and two-year institutions offer competitive aid packages. For detailed information on aid eligibility, application deadlines, and scholarship opportunities specific to computer programming, students should contact their institution's financial aid office and consult Federal Student Aid resources. Students exploring programs beyond South Dakota may also reference national affordable programs through the College Scorecard to compare total aid packages and graduate outcomes across institutions.
Computer Programming Degree ROI Calculator, South Dakota
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a computer programming degree in South Dakota. Enter your expected tuition costs, financial aid, and career goals to see projected payback periods and lifetime earnings. The calculator uses current salary data from BLS and tuition data from IPEDS to provide accurate estimates.
Computer Programming Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your return on investment for a computer programming degree
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
+907%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$1,677,254
Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.
5 years
Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.
$133,333
Your starting salary adjusted for local cost of living. This shows real purchasing power compared to a $100K national baseline.
Why does break-even change with program type? Your "total investment" includes both tuition AND opportunity cost (foregone earnings while in school). A 4-year full-time public university (in-state) means 4 years of not earning a salary ($140,000 in opportunity cost). Shorter full-time programs may have higher tuition but lower total investment because you return to the workforce sooner.
Detailed Breakdown
How we calculate your degree ROI using real salary data
Tuition plus opportunity cost (earnings you miss while in school)
Direct cost of the degree program
4 years × $35K/year foregone salary while studying full-time
Projected career earnings starting after graduation, with salary growth
What you'd earn working at $35K/year with 2% annual growth
Median salary for this role in your selected location (BLS 2024)
Your investment's compound annual growth rate (similar to stock market returns)
Data sources: BLS OEWS May 2024, IPEDS 2024. Calculations use median salaries, 3% discount rate, and assume salary growth declines from 6% to 2% over career. Individual results will vary. | Powered by Hakia.com
Computer Programming Salaries by Metro Area
Median annual salary in South Dakota metro areas
View data table
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $93K |
| Rapid City | $89K |
| Aberdeen | $84K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Hakia.com
Top Employers Hiring Computer Programming Graduates in South Dakota
Find computer programming jobs in South Dakota. These major employers across South Dakota metro areas are actively hiring computer programming degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.
Computer Programming Jobs in Sioux Falls
SDComputer Programming Jobs in Rapid City
SDTransfer Pathways for Computer Programming Degrees in South Dakota
State Transfer System
South Dakota's public higher education system is designed to help seamless transfer pathways from two-year to four-year institutions. The state's 7 two-year institutions work in partnership with 18 four-year institutions through the SD Board of Regents Transfer Policy, which ensures that course credits earned at community colleges and technical colleges transfer directly to bachelor's degree programs. Students earning an associate's degree in computer programming at Lake Area Technical College or Southeast Technical College can confidently transition to bachelor's programs at Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, University of South Dakota, or South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. This structured pathway reduces time to degree completion and lowers overall cost of education.
How Transfers Work
The transfer system guarantees that 45 associate's degree completions annually in computer programming feed into a strong pipeline of 12 bachelor's degree completions, with many students beginning at technical colleges before earning their bachelor's. Articulation agreements between specific institutions outline exactly which courses transfer and how credits apply toward major requirements, eliminating duplicated coursework. Students should meet with academic advisors at their current institution to develop a personalized transfer plan and confirm acceptance of their credits before enrolling. Additionally, the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship supports transfer students who maintain strong academic performance. Explore complementary pathways through Computer Science in South Dakota and Software Engineering in South Dakota for career advancement opportunities after completing your associate's or bachelor's degree.
Why Pursue a Computer Programming Degree in South Dakota?
Industry & Workforce
South Dakota offers a focused pathway into computer programming with 5 institutions dedicated to this field across the state (IPEDS). Whether you're pursuing an associate's degree at one of 2 institutions or a bachelor's degree at one of 3 universities, you'll find affordable, quality programming education. The state's technical colleges and universities produced 57 computer programming completions in 2023, demonstrating sustained demand and employer investment in graduate talent. South Dakota's major cities. Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, Brookings, Watertown, and Pierre, host growing tech sectors supported by major employers including Sanford Health, Avera Health, Hy-Vee, and Citibank, creating strong career opportunities for graduates.
Salary Outlook
One of South Dakota's greatest financial advantages is its no state income tax policy, which directly boosts take-home earnings for computer programming professionals. Public four-year institutions average just $6,250 in-state tuition, well below national standards, while the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship provides merit-based funding for state residents. Top-ranked programs like Dakota State University (#1 bachelor's program at $7,616 tuition) combine affordability with strong academic outcomes. Explore related fields to expand your career options through Software Engineering in South Dakota, Web Development in South Dakota, and Computer Science in South Dakota pathways.
South Dakota Take-Home Pay Advantage
Source: South Dakota Department of Revenue
Computer Programming Job Market & Salary Data in South Dakota
Employment Outlook
South Dakota's computer programming job market presents solid opportunities for graduates seeking careers in technology. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state's technology sector continues to grow, with positions available across multiple regions. The major metropolitan areas driving this growth are Sioux Falls and Rapid City, which serve as primary tech hubs attracting employers and talent. Beyond these metros, secondary cities including Aberdeen, Brookings, Watertown, and Pierre also contribute to the state's programming workforce demand. The diversity of job opportunities across East River, West River, and Black Hills regions means that computer programming graduates have geographic flexibility when launching their careers.
Salaries by Metro
One significant financial advantage for tech professionals in South Dakota is the state's NO STATE INCOME TAX policy, which enhances take-home earnings compared to neighboring states. This competitive advantage, combined with reasonable cost-of-living expenses, makes South Dakota attractive for early-career programmers. Major employers in the state, including Sanford Health, Avera Health, Hy-Vee, and Citibank, consistently seek computer programming talent for software development, systems management, and digital transformation initiatives. Students graduating from South Dakota's 5 institutions offering computer programming programs (IPEDS) have access to a growing local job market. For detailed occupational employment statistics and salary data by region, consult the BLS Occupational Employment Statistics for South Dakota.
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)
New graduates and career changers
Senior (8+ yrs)
Technical leads and architects
Online vs On-Campus Computer Programming Programs in South Dakota
Online Programs
0 available in South Dakota
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
Compare Computer Programming Programs in Other States
- Total Programs
- 44
- Median Tuition
- $8,900
- Total Programs
- 29
- Median Tuition
- $21,000
- Total Programs
- 11
- Median Tuition
- $8,000
- Total Programs
- 5
- Median Tuition
- $5,000
- Total Programs
- 13
- Median Tuition
- $6,100
- Total Programs
- 193
- Median Tuition
- $5,700
- Total Programs
- 51
- Median Tuition
- $4,600
Computer Programming Degree Programs in South Dakota: FAQ
What are the best computer programming degree programs in South Dakota?
How much do computer programming degree programs cost in South Dakota?
What salary can computer programming degree graduates earn in South Dakota?
Are there online computer programming degree programs in South Dakota?
What companies hire computer programming degree graduates in South Dakota?
Is a computer programming degree program worth it in South Dakota?
How long do computer programming degree programs take in South Dakota?
What financial aid is available for computer programming degree students in South Dakota?
Data Sources
Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates
South Dakota salary and employment data
Program details and admissions information
Last Updated: June 26, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2024 data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Taylor Rupe
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.