Best Online Technology 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. Our directory has 5 accredited schools offering technology programs near Rapid City, with tuition ranging from $9,000 to $21,343 per year for indexed programs. In the Rapid City, SD metro area, the top-earning technology-related role is Computer and Information Systems Manager at a median $158,690 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Technology Schools to Rapid City
The 5 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 5 schools in our directory that offer technology programs near Rapid City. Distances are calculated from Rapid City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota School of Mines and Technology | Rapid City, SD | 0.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Western Dakota Technical College | Rapid City, SD | 2.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| National American University-Rapid City | Rapid City, SD | 3.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | ✓ |
| National American University-Ellsworth | Box Elder, SD | 8.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Black Hills State University | Spearfish, SD | 43.5 mi | $9,000 - $21,343 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all South Dakota schools on the South Dakota technology page.
Technology 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $92,460 | Rapid City, SD | $103,655 |
| Information Security Analyst | $102,320 | Rapid City, SD | $114,709 |
| Computer Network Architect | $150,370 | Rapid City, SD | $168,576 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrator | $63,530 | Rapid City, SD | $71,222 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $52,120 | Rapid City, SD | $58,430 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $45,020 | Rapid City, SD | $50,471 |
| Web Developer | $50,420 | Rapid City, SD | $56,525 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $158,690 | Rapid City, SD | $177,904 |
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 |
| Technology-related employment in Pennington County | 680 workers, 140 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited technology schools are near Rapid City, SD?
Our directory has 5 accredited schools offering technology programs near Rapid City. The closest is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, SD (0.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Black Hills State University (43.5 miles). 1 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying technology roles near Rapid City?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying technology-related roles near Rapid City are: Computer and Information Systems Manager ($158,690), Computer Network Architect ($150,370), Information Security Analyst ($102,320). 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 technology?
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.
Related Resources
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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