Best Online Nursing 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 is 1 accredited nursing program within 100 miles of Rapid City. In South Dakota, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $223,650 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Rapid City
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Rapid City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Dakota Technical College | Rapid City, SD | 2.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all South Dakota schools on the South Dakota nursing page.
Nursing 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $69,510 | Rapid City, SD | $77,926 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $49,970 | Rapid City, SD | $56,020 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $223,650 | SD statewide | $250,729 |
| Nurse Midwife | N/A | SD statewide | – |
| Nurse Practitioner | $111,810 | Rapid City, SD | $125,348 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,250 | Rapid City, SD | $41,760 |
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 |
| Nursing-related employment in Pennington County | 1,703 workers, 29 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Rapid City, SD?
Our directory lists 1 nursing programs within 100 miles of Rapid City. The closest is Western Dakota Technical College in Rapid City, SD (2.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Western Dakota Technical College (2.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Rapid City?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Rapid City are: Nurse Anesthetist ($223,650), Nurse Practitioner ($111,810), Registered Nurse ($69,510). 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 nursing?
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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