On this page
Key Takeaways
Best web development degree programs: Dakota State, Dakota Wesleyan,
Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality
Tuition ranges from $3,720 to $31,700/year
Southeast Technical College offers the most affordable option at $3,720/yr
Web Development degree programs available: 3 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
3 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
Web Development 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 Web Development programs
We rank 5 accredited web development 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 Web Development Degree Programs in South Dakota Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Web Development Degree Rankings in South Dakota
Compare the top-ranked Web Development programs in South Dakota by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Web Development Programs in South Dakota
Program Landscape
South Dakota offers 3 accredited associate's degree programs in web development, providing an affordable entry point into the technology field. The top-ranked programs include Southeast Technical College, Dakota State, Sisseton Wahpeton 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 $5,059/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 web development schools in South Dakota, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their web development degrees in South Dakota.
Best Bachelor's Web Development Programs in South Dakota
Program Landscape
South Dakota ranks among the nation's top destinations for web development education, with 2 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 1 public and 1 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are Dakota State, Dakota Wesleyan, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from South Dakota web development 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 $31,700 annually, with an average of $19,658/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 92%, 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 web development degrees in South Dakota, these top-ranked web development schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
Web Development Degree Costs & Tuition in South Dakota
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $11,719/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $29,298/year |
| Community college tuition | $2,930/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $70,316 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $17,578 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid & Scholarships for Web Development Students in South Dakota
State Aid Programs
South Dakota offers unique financial advantages for students pursuing web development degrees. The state has no income tax, which means graduates keep more of their earnings after completing their programs. Additionally, the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship provides merit-based awards specifically designed for South Dakota high school graduates, making higher education more accessible for qualified students in the state (South Dakota Board of Regents). This scholarship program complements federal aid options available through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which all students should complete to determine their eligibility for grants, loans, and work-study opportunities (Federal Student Aid).
Key Programs & Amounts
Beyond state-specific programs, web development students in South Dakota can access federal financial aid through FAFSA, which includes Pell Grants, Federal Student Loans, and Federal Work-Study (Federal Student Aid). Many institutions offering web development programs, including Dakota State University and South Dakota State University, offer additional institutional scholarships and financial aid packages to qualified applicants. Students should work directly with their chosen institution's financial aid office to explore all available funding sources. The South Dakota Board of Regents Transfer Policy ensures that students who begin their education at community colleges can seamlessly transfer credits to four-year institutions while maintaining financial aid eligibility (South Dakota Board of Regents).
Web Development Degree ROI Calculator, South Dakota
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a web development 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.
Web Development Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your return on investment for a web development degree
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
+749%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$1,385,336
Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.
6 years
Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.
$119,048
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
Web Development 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 Web Development Graduates in South Dakota
Find web development jobs in South Dakota. These major employers across South Dakota metro areas are actively hiring web development degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.
Web Development Jobs in Sioux Falls
SDWeb Development Jobs in Rapid City
SDTransfer Pathways for Web Development Degrees in South Dakota
State Transfer System
South Dakota's structured transfer system makes it seamless for students to begin their web development education at a two-year institution and complete a bachelor's degree at a four-year university. The South Dakota Board of Regents Transfer Policy guarantees course articulation among all public institutions in the state, ensuring that credits earned at one of South Dakota's 7 two-year institutions, including Southeast Technical College, Lake Area Technical College, and Dakota State University's associate programs, transfer directly and count toward bachelor's degree requirements. This pathway eliminates redundancy, saves time, and reduces overall education costs. Students completing an associate degree with 21 total completions in 2023 can transition to 4 bachelor's degree institutions with confidence that their work will be recognized.
How Transfers Work
The transfer pathway is particularly valuable for students beginning at affordable community colleges like Southeast Technical College (tuition: $3,720) and Lake Area Technical College (tuition: $3,720) before advancing to universities such as Dakota State University ($7,616 tuition) or South Dakota State University ($7,773 tuition). This two-plus-two model allows students to complete foundational coursework in web development. HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and database principles, at lower cost, then transition to upper-level courses in web frameworks, DevOps, and specializations at the four-year level. The South Dakota Board of Regents maintains detailed articulation agreements and transfer guides on their website. For comprehensive information on financial aid during transfer, consult Federal Student Aid resources. Explore comparable transfer options in other states through web development in California, Texas, and New York.
Why Pursue a Web Development Degree in South Dakota?
Industry & Workforce
South Dakota offers a strong pathway for web development education with 7 institutions delivering specialized programs across associate and bachelor degree levels (IPEDS). The state produced 48 completions in web development during the 2023 academic year, demonstrating consistent demand for skilled graduates. Dakota State University leads the region with 28 completions, establishing itself as the primary hub for web development talent in the state. Whether you're pursuing an associate degree at one of South Dakota's 7 two-year institutions or a bachelor's degree at one of the 4 dedicated bachelor's programs, you'll find quality options designed to launch your career.
Salary Outlook
The financial advantages of studying in South Dakota are compelling. Public four-year institutions charge an average in-state tuition of $6,250, significantly below national averages, with leaders like Dakota State University at $7,616 annually (College Scorecard). A major advantage: South Dakota has NO STATE INCOME TAX, meaning graduates retain more of their earnings. The state's major employment hubs in Sioux Falls and Rapid City host major employers including Sanford Health, Avera Health, and Citibank, all seeking web development talent. Students can leverage the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship for merit-based financial support. For comprehensive salary data in the region, consult BLS occupational data for South Dakota. If you're comparing options nationally, explore our rankings for best bachelor's programs and most affordable web development schools to contextualize South Dakota's value proposition.
South Dakota Take-Home Pay Advantage
Source: South Dakota Department of Revenue
Web Development Job Market & Salary Data in South Dakota
Employment Outlook
South Dakota's web development job market is experiencing steady growth, supported by a diverse employer base across the state's major metro areas. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state's tech sector continues to expand, with particular strength in Sioux Falls and Rapid City. These metropolitan areas serve as regional tech hubs, attracting web development talent and offering competitive compensation packages. The state's no state income tax advantage provides additional financial benefits for web development professionals compared to many neighboring states, making South Dakota an increasingly attractive destination for career growth in this field.
Salaries by Metro
Web development programs in South Dakota are producing qualified graduates to meet market demand. IPEDS data shows 7 institutions currently offering web development programs across the state, with 27 bachelor's degree completions and 21 associate's degree completions reported in 2023. Dakota State University leads the state with 28 completions, demonstrating strong workforce preparation aligned with employer needs. Students pursuing web development at South Dakota schools benefit from proximity to major employers and have access to resources through the South Dakota Board of Regents, which coordinates educational pathways across public institutions. For detailed salary and employment projections, students can reference the College Scorecard and explore related fields like Computer Programming in South Dakota and Software Engineering in South Dakota.
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)
New graduates and career changers
Senior (8+ yrs)
Technical leads and architects
Online vs On-Campus Web Development Programs in South Dakota
Online Programs
0 available in South Dakota
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
Compare Web Development Programs in Other States
- Total Programs
- 20
- Median Tuition
- $5,700
- Total Programs
- 11
- Median Tuition
- $6,100
- Total Programs
- 3
- Median Tuition
- $8,100
- Total Programs
- 3
- Median Tuition
- $3,200
- Total Programs
- 6
- Median Tuition
- $4,700
- Total Programs
- 69
- Median Tuition
- $1,300
- Total Programs
- 26
- Median Tuition
- $4,200
Web Development Degree Programs in South Dakota: FAQ
What are the best web development degree programs in South Dakota?
How much do web development degree programs cost in South Dakota?
What salary can web development degree graduates earn in South Dakota?
Are there online web development degree programs in South Dakota?
What companies hire web development degree graduates in South Dakota?
Is a web development degree program worth it in South Dakota?
How long do web development degree programs take in South Dakota?
What financial aid is available for web development 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.