On this page
Key Takeaways
Best machine learning degree programs: Augustana, Dakota State, 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
Machine Learning degree programs available: 1 associate's, 2 master'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
1 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
Machine Learning 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 Machine Learning programs
We rank 6 accredited machine learning 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 Machine Learning Degree Programs in South Dakota Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Machine Learning Degree Rankings in South Dakota
Compare the top-ranked Machine Learning programs in South Dakota by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Machine Learning Programs in South Dakota
Program Landscape
South Dakota offers 1 accredited associate's degree programs in machine learning, providing an affordable entry point into the technology field. The top-ranked programs include Lake Area 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 machine learning schools in South Dakota, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their machine learning degrees in South Dakota.
Best Bachelor's Machine Learning Programs in South Dakota
Program Landscape
South Dakota ranks among the nation's top destinations for machine learning education, with 3 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 1 public and 2 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are Augustana, Dakota State, U of Sioux Falls, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from South Dakota machine learning 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 $7,616 to $38,150 annually, with an average of $22,035/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 91%, with the highest reaching 93%. 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 machine learning degrees in South Dakota, these top-ranked machine learning schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
Best Master's Machine Learning Programs in South Dakota
Program Landscape
South Dakota offers 2 master's degree programs in machine learning, designed for professionals seeking to advance into senior engineering, technical leadership, and specialized roles. The top programs, South Dakota School of Mi..., Northern State, combine advanced technical training with research opportunities and leadership development.
Career Outcomes
Master's graduates in South Dakota earn a median salary of $84,320, approximately 20-30% higher than bachelor's degree holders. The concentration of technology companies in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen creates strong demand for graduate-level talent, with Raven Industries, Daktronics, First Premier Bank actively recruiting from these programs.
Costs & Value
Program formats include traditional full-time study (typically 2 years), part-time options for working professionals (2-3 years), and accelerated tracks. Tuition averages $7,708/yr, with many employers offering tuition reimbursement for graduate education. Some programs offer thesis and non-thesis tracks, allowing students to focus on research or professional development based on their career goals.
Curriculum & Specializations
Curriculum covers advanced topics including machine learning, distributed systems, software architecture, and technical management. Many programs include practicum experiences, industry capstone projects, or consulting engagements that provide real-world application of advanced concepts. Among South Dakota's machine learning schools at the graduate level, these programs stand out for both academic quality and career outcomes.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Machine Learning Degree Costs & Tuition in South Dakota
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $14,207/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $35,518/year |
| Community college tuition | $3,552/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $85,244 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $21,310 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid & Scholarships for Machine Learning Students in South Dakota
State Aid Programs
South Dakota offers exceptional financial advantages for machine learning students, starting with the state's unique tax structure. As one of the few states without state income tax, South Dakota residents benefit from greater take-home earnings after graduation, a significant long-term financial advantage. Beyond this structural benefit, students can access the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship, a merit-based award program specifically designed for South Dakota high school graduates pursuing higher education. This scholarship, administered through the South Dakota Board of Regents, provides meaningful support for students at participating institutions across the state.
Key Programs & Amounts
Federal financial aid remains a cornerstone of affordability for machine learning students in South Dakota. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens access to federal grants, loans, and work-study opportunities available through Federal Student Aid. Most South Dakota institutions participating in federal aid programs accept FAFSA applications and can guide students through the process. Additionally, many of South Dakota's public universities and technical colleges offer institutional scholarships and assistantships tied to academic merit and demonstrated financial need. The South Dakota Board of Regents Transfer Policy also ensures that students beginning their studies at lower-cost community colleges can seamlessly transfer credits to four-year institutions, maximizing both affordability and pathway flexibility for machine learning degree completion.
Machine Learning Degree ROI Calculator, South Dakota
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a machine learning 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.
Machine Learning Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your return on investment for a machine learning degree
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
+1064%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$1,967,896
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.
$147,619
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
Machine Learning 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 Machine Learning Graduates in South Dakota
Find machine learning jobs in South Dakota. These major employers across South Dakota metro areas are actively hiring machine learning degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.
Machine Learning Jobs in Sioux Falls
SDMachine Learning Jobs in Rapid City
SDTransfer Pathways for Machine Learning Degrees in South Dakota
State Transfer System
South Dakota's strong transfer system facilitates seamless progression from associate degree programs to bachelor's degree completion. The South Dakota Board of Regents Transfer Policy ensures that coursework completed at the state's 7 two-year institutions, including Lake Area Technical College, which produced 31 machine learning completions in 2023, transfers directly to the state's 18 four-year institutions. This guaranteed transfer framework eliminates credit loss and allows students to begin machine learning education at an affordable community college before completing advanced coursework at universities like South Dakota State University, Dakota State University, or the University of South Dakota. The transfer policy significantly reduces overall degree costs while maintaining educational quality and program rigor.
How Transfers Work
Students pursuing associate-to-bachelor's pathways benefit from articulation agreements that explicitly outline which courses satisfy bachelor's degree requirements. Lake Area Technical College's machine learning program provides excellent preparation for university-level study, with courses covering programming fundamentals, data structures, and introductory machine learning concepts. Upon transfer, students can pursue bachelor's degrees at public institutions with average in-state tuition of $6,250 annually, among the nation's most affordable options (College Scorecard). The South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship further supports transfer students, offering merit-based funding. For additional pathway options, explore data science, data analytics, and artificial intelligence programs in South Dakota, which share foundational coursework with machine learning and offer complementary transfer pathways (IPEDS).
Why Pursue a Machine Learning Degree in South Dakota?
Industry & Workforce
South Dakota offers a compelling educational landscape for machine learning students, with 8 institutions across the state providing programs at multiple degree levels (IPEDS). The state's machine learning offerings span from associate degrees through doctoral programs, with 31 completions at the associate level, 13 at the bachelor's level, and 13 at the master's level in 2023. Leading institutions like South Dakota State University, Dakota State University, and the University of South Dakota consistently rank among the nation's best bachelor's programs and most affordable options, making quality education accessible to diverse student populations.
Salary Outlook
A significant financial advantage awaits students in South Dakota: the state has no state income tax, reducing long-term financial burden after graduation. Public four-year institutions average just $6,250 in annual in-state tuition, far below national averages (College Scorecard). South Dakota's major tech hubs in Sioux Falls and Rapid City, home to employers like Sanford Health, Avera Health, and Citibank, create abundant internship and career opportunities. Students can leverage the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship, a merit-based award for state high school graduates, to further reduce educational costs. For those seeking flexibility, online bachelor's options from South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota provide pathway alternatives. Related fields like artificial intelligence, data science, and computer science in South Dakota further expand educational opportunities.
South Dakota Take-Home Pay Advantage
Source: South Dakota Department of Revenue
Machine Learning Job Market & Salary Data in South Dakota
Employment Outlook
South Dakota's machine learning job market is supported by a diverse employer landscape concentrated in key metropolitan areas. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state offers competitive opportunities for ML professionals across multiple sectors. Major hiring centers include Sioux Falls and Rapid City, which serve as regional tech hubs attracting talent in artificial intelligence and data science roles. The state's lack of income tax provides an additional financial advantage for ML professionals, allowing them to retain more of their earnings compared to neighboring states.
Salaries by Metro
The machine learning workforce in South Dakota benefits from educational pathways at 8 institutions offering ML programs, ranging from associate's to doctoral degrees (IPEDS). The associate's level produces the highest completion volume at 31 completions, primarily through Lake Area Technical College, while bachelor's programs across 4 institutions contribute 13 completions annually. For those seeking advanced credentials, 2 institutions offer master's degrees with 13 completions. This educational infrastructure directly feeds the state's technology talent pipeline, with graduates positioned to meet growing demand in healthcare IT, financial services, and agricultural technology sectors. Explore related fields like Data Science in South Dakota and Artificial Intelligence in South Dakota to understand the broader ML ecosystem.
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)
New graduates and career changers
Senior (8+ yrs)
Technical leads and architects
Online vs On-Campus Machine Learning Programs in South Dakota
Online Programs
0 available in South Dakota
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
Compare Machine Learning Programs in Other States
- Total Programs
- 36
- Median Tuition
- $12,800
- Total Programs
- 25
- Median Tuition
- $33,400
- Total Programs
- 12
- Median Tuition
- $8,000
- Total Programs
- 9
- Median Tuition
- $6,100
- Total Programs
- 179
- Median Tuition
- $5,700
- Total Programs
- 39
- Median Tuition
- $11,000
Machine Learning Degree Programs in South Dakota: FAQ
What are the best machine learning degree programs in South Dakota?
How much do machine learning degree programs cost in South Dakota?
What salary can machine learning degree graduates earn in South Dakota?
Are there online machine learning degree programs in South Dakota?
What companies hire machine learning degree graduates in South Dakota?
Is a machine learning degree program worth it in South Dakota?
How long do machine learning degree programs take in South Dakota?
What financial aid is available for machine learning 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.