Top 3 Cybersecurity Programs in South Dakota 2025
Dakota State University
119 cybersecurity graduates annually, 93% graduation rate
Southeast Technical College
50 cybersecurity graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
National American University-Rapid City
9 cybersecurity graduates annually, 71% graduation rate
- 1.South Dakota offers 5+ accredited cybersecurity programs across public and private universities
- 2.Dakota State University leads with 93% 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)
Cybersecurity Education in South Dakota: Overview
South Dakota offers 5 accredited cybersecurity programs, producing approximately 195 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 cybersecurity programs in the state are led by Dakota State University, Southeast Technical College, National American University-Rapid City, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
South Dakota Cybersecurity Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dakota State University | Madison, SD | Public | $7,616 | 93% | 73.7 |
| 2 | Southeast Technical College | Sioux Falls, SD | Public | $3,720 | — | 59.6 |
| 3 | National American University-Rapid City | Rapid City, SD | For-Profit | $15,390 | 71% | 49.1 |
| 4 | Mitchell Technical College | Mitchell, SD | Public | $4,092 | — | 46.1 |
| 5 | California Intercontinental University | Sioux Falls, SD | For-Profit | $7,884 | — | 39.6 |
Top 5 Cybersecurity Programs in South Dakota: Side-by-Side
| School | Dakota State | Southeast Technical College | National American... | Mitchell Technical College | California Intercontinental |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $7,616 | $3,720 | $15,390 | $4,092 | $7,884 |
| Graduation Rate | 93% | N/A% | 71% | N/A% | N/A% |
| Annual Graduates | 119 | 50 | 9 | 14 | 3 |
| Acceptance Rate | 98% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Type | Public | Public | For-Profit | Public | For-Profit |
| Score | 73.7/100 | 59.6/100 | 49.1/100 | 46.1/100 | 39.6/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Cybersecurity in South Dakota
South Dakota offers 3 bachelor's-level cybersecurity programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are Dakota State University, National American University-Rapid City, California Intercontinental University. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $59,024 in the South Dakota market.
A bachelor's in cybersecurity typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Cybersecurity Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Cybersecurity Bachelor's Programs in South Dakota
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Dakota State | $7,616 | 93% | 119 | 73.7 |
| #2 National American... | $15,390 | 71% | 6 | 47.3 |
| #3 California Intercontinental | $7,884 | N/A% | 3 | 39.6 |
Top Cybersecurity Schools for Master's Degrees in South Dakota
For graduate study, South Dakota offers 1 master's-level cybersecurity programs. Leading institutions include Dakota State University. 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 cybersecurity master's programs for more options beyond South Dakota.
Top 3 Cybersecurity Master's Programs in South Dakota
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Dakota State | $7,616 | 93% | 30 | 54.4 |
Most Affordable Cybersecurity Colleges in South Dakota
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable cybersecurity programs in South Dakota are at Southeast Technical College ($3,720/year), Mitchell Technical College ($4,092/year), Dakota State University ($7,616/year). These programs offer strong ROI given South Dakota's competitive tech salaries.
At Southeast 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 Cybersecurity Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Cybersecurity Programs in South Dakota (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Southeast Technical College | $3,720 | $14,880 | 0.6 years | Public |
| #2 Mitchell Technical College | $4,092 | $16,368 | 0.7 years | Public |
| #3 Dakota State | $7,616 | $30,464 | 1.3 years | Public |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Cybersecurity Schools in South Dakota
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 cybersecurity 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.
Dakota State University
Madison, SD • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $7,616 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 93% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 119 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 98%
- • Ranking Score: 73.7 / 100
Program Strengths
- 93% graduation rate
- 119 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 73.7 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (93%), program size (119 graduates), state salary outcomes ($84,320), and selectivity (98% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Southeast Technical College
Sioux Falls, SD • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $3,720 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 50 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 59.6 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 50 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 59.6 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (50 graduates), state salary outcomes ($84,320), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
National American University-Rapid City
Rapid City, SD • For-Profit
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $15,390 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 71% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 9 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 49.1 / 100
Program Strengths
- 71% graduation rate
- 9 cybersecurity graduates annually
- For-Profit institution
- Overall score: 49.1 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (71%), program size (9 graduates), state salary outcomes ($84,320), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Mitchell Technical College
Mitchell, SD • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $4,092 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 14 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 46.1 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 14 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 46.1 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (14 graduates), state salary outcomes ($84,320), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
California Intercontinental University
Sioux Falls, SD • For-Profit
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $7,884 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 3 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 39.6 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 3 cybersecurity graduates annually
- For-Profit institution
- Overall score: 39.6 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (3 graduates), state salary outcomes ($84,320), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Security Analyst
SOC 15-1212Security Analyst opportunities in South Dakota with strong job growth.
Penetration Tester
SOC 15-1212Penetration Tester opportunities in South Dakota with strong job growth.
Security Engineer
SOC 15-1212Security Engineer opportunities in South Dakota with strong job growth.
Incident Responder
SOC 15-1212Incident Responder opportunities in South Dakota with strong job growth.
Cybersecurity 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
Cybersecurity in South Dakota FAQ
Based on 5 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Cybersecurity 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.