Best Online Healthcare Programs in Rapid City, SD (2026)
Rapid City, South Dakota has a population of about 76,836. The city’s median household income is $65,712 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 36.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Rapid City. In the Rapid City, SD metro area, the top-earning healthcare-related role is Medical and Health Services Manager at a median $117,860 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Healthcare Schools to Rapid City
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Rapid City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Mitchell the School-Rapid City | Rapid City, SD | 0.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The Salon Professional Academy | Rapid City, SD | 1.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Western Dakota Technical College | Rapid City, SD | 2.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| National American University-Rapid City | Rapid City, SD | 2.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| National American University-Ellsworth | Box Elder, SD | 8.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all South Dakota schools on the South Dakota healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Rapid City
Rapid City is part of the Rapid City, SD metro area (BLS area code 39660). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to South Dakota statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $117,860 | Rapid City, SD | $132,130 |
| Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar | $60,470 | SD statewide | $67,791 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $51,930 | Rapid City, SD | $58,217 |
| Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant | $44,420 | SD statewide | $49,798 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $58,350 | Rapid City, SD | $65,415 |
| Epidemiologist | N/A | SD statewide | – |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Rapid City at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $65,712 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 36.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 89.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in Pennington County | 11,430 workers, 531 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Rapid City, SD?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Rapid City. The closest is Paul Mitchell the School-Rapid City in Rapid City, SD (0.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is National American University-Ellsworth (8.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Rapid City?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Rapid City are: Medical and Health Services Manager ($117,860), Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar ($60,470), Healthcare Social Worker ($58,350). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with South Dakota statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Is Rapid City an affordable place to study healthcare?
Rapid City’s median household income of $65,712 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Rapid City while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and South Dakota public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
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