Most Affordable Online Associate Degrees in South Dakota 2025

Getting an associate degree can be a great way to start a career or earn credits toward future college experiences. If you live in South Dakota, you're probably wondering where you can get an associate degree for cheap. In particular, you'd like to know which schools offer the most affordable associate degrees online.

Keep reading as we look at the top colleges for cheap online associate degrees in South Dakota. We'll also discuss how much you can expect to pay for these programs and answer a handful of questions you may have.

How Much Does an Associate Degree Cost in South Dakota?

Different schools charge different tuition rates and fees for the same types of degrees. Public schools generally charge lower rates than private schools; however, this isn't always the case.

The affordable online colleges featured in this article offer tuition and fees ranging from $101 to $365.05 per credit hour. This makes it possible to earn a 60-credit associate degree for anywhere from $6,060 to $21,903 in total tuition and fees.

Cheapest Online Associate Degree Programs

Pursuing higher education online can be both affordable and convenient. Let's take a closer look at the top five schools in South Dakota offering affordable associate degrees for online students.

1. Southeast Technical College

Southeast Technical College is located in Sioux Falls. It offers several of its associate degrees online, including:

• accounting
• business administration
• medical coding and billing
• entrepreneurship
• human resource management

Some of these programs offer convenient eight-week course sessions for added flexibility. This school offers some of the cheapest online associate degrees in South Dakota.

Average in-state tuition: $174 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $174 per credit hour

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: State aid, federal aid, grants, scholarships, loans

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Western Dakota Technical College

Western Dakota Technical College is another public community college offering online programs. Located in Rapid City, the school's online associate degrees include:

• social media marketing
• business and technology
• hospitality
• entrepreneurship
• accounting

Students complete flexible online courses and have the option to study full-time or part-time, depending on their needs and preferences.

Average in-state tuition: $174 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $174 per credit hour

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: Loans, grants, scholarships

Accreditation: HLC

3. South Dakota State University

South Dakota State University is a large four-year school in Brookings. Students at this school can pursue both graduate and undergraduate degrees. Some of the online associate degrees include:

• agricultural science
• construction technology
• data science
• general studies
• psychology

Online classes give students a flexible option for getting their education, and the wealth of programs available gives them many different areas of study to choose from.

Average in-state tuition: $354.75

Average out-of-state tuition: $354.75

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: Grants, scholarships, student loans, state and federal aid

Accreditation: HLC

4. Northern State University

Northern State University is located in Aberdeen. Students at this four-year university can choose between several associate degrees. Online options include:

• general studies
• digital entrepreneurship
• early childhood education
• criminal justice
• business administration

Classes are taught by the same experienced faculty to teach in-person classes, ensuring a high-quality educational experience.

Average in-state tuition: $354.75

Average out-of-state tuition: $354.75

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: Institutional and private grants and scholarships, federal and state aid

Accreditation: HLC

5. Dakota State University

Dakota State University is a public school in Madison. Online learners have a variety of options at various program levels. Some of the online associate degrees include:

• business analytics
• digital accounting
• health informatics and information management
• software development
• project management

These programs are ideal for students interested in exploring technical degrees or career paths, as they place a strong emphasis on science and advancing technology.

Average in-state tuition: $365.05 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $480.70 per credit hour

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, loans

Accreditation: HLC

Other Affordable Online Associate Degrees in the U.S.

Distance education makes it possible to study at any online school in the country from the comfort of your own home. Let's look at some highly affordable out-of-state colleges offering associate degrees for online learners.

Georgia State University - Perimeter College

Georgia State University's Perimeter College started as an independent community college before merging with the university in 2016. It offers a wealth of affordable online associate degrees, including:

• anthropology
• film and media studies
• geology
• journalism
• social work

These programs provide flexible coursework and the opportunity to seamlessly transition to bachelor's degree programs at Georgia State or other four-year schools.

Average in-state tuition: $101 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $101 per credit hour

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: Federal and state aid, loans, grants, scholarships

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas

Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas is a public two-year school in De Queen, AR. Students can choose from several online associate degrees, such as:

• business
• general studies
• general business
• psychology
• criminal justice

Courses cover the same content and are taught by the same faculty as in-person classes. They provide a convenient way for students to study affordably from anywhere in the country.

Average in-state tuition: $74 to $87 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $102 per credit hour

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: Federal and state aid, grants, scholarships

Accreditation: HLC

Kansas City Kansas Community College

Kansas City Kansas Community College offers various associate degrees and certificate programs. Some of its online offerings include:

• addiction counselor
• early childhood education and development
• economics
• history
• philosophy

Several hybrid programs are also available, but the fully online options provide the greatest flexibility for students learning from another state.

Average in-state tuition: $115 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $115 per credit hour

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: Grants, scholarships, loans, federal aid

Accreditation: HLC

University of Arkansas Community College Batesville

The University of Arkansas Community College Batesville is another affordable two-year school associated with the University of Arkansas. Students can choose from online associate degrees such as:

• agriculture technology
• crime scene investigation
• elementary education
• health professions
• management and supervision

High-quality courses are flexible and provide a great opportunity for busy students to get their education in a way that works for them.

Average in-state tuition: $87 to $103 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $127 per credit hour

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: Federal aid, scholarships, grants

Accreditation: HLC

Garden City Community College

Garden City Community College is another public school in Kansas. Students can earn a variety of online associate degrees, including:

• sociology
• liberal arts and sciences
• psychology
• education
• English

Classes are asynchronous, providing great flexibility; however, regular deadlines provide structure. Some courses are available in accelerated formats; others follow a traditional 15-week semester.

Average in-state tuition: $150 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $150 per credit hour

Program length: 24 months

Financial aid: Grants, scholarships, loans, federal aid

Accreditation: HLC

How We Rank Schools

We strive to choose only top programs when creating our school rank lists. The following criteria were used to select the public institutions featured above:

• Accreditation: All schools listed are accredited by nationally recognized accrediting bodies.
• Affordability: The South Dakota schools listed provide some of the cheapest options in the state for students pursuing affordable associate degrees online. The out-of-state schools all provide online associate degrees for less than $10,000 in total tuition.
• Program reputation and quality: All of the schools are known for providing high-quality on-campus and online learning opportunities.
• Online format: Each school features multiple associate degrees that can be completed through 100% online classes.

FAQs About the Cheapest Associate Degrees in South Dakota

If you still have questions about pursuing an affordable online education, you're not alone. Keep reading to find answers to some commonly asked questions.

What Is the Easiest Associate Degree To Get Online in South Dakota?

Students have different academic strengths and weaknesses, so what one student considers difficult might be easy for another. That said, most students consider Associate of Arts degrees to be some of the easiest because they require fewer scientific and technical courses than other types of associate degrees.

What Is the Cheapest Way To Get an Associate Degree?

Students interested in pursuing the fastest associate degrees online can often save a lot of money in the process, especially if they are still in high school. Enrolling in dual credit or advanced placement courses allows students to earn both high school and college credit concurrently, so by the time they graduate, they already have a head start on their college degrees.

This can help them earn associate degrees in as little as a few months instead of two years. Dual enrollment courses often cost much less than traditional college courses as well, so getting an associate degree this way can help you save a lot of money.

Are There Any Free Online Degrees in South Dakota?

All colleges and universities in South Dakota charge for tuition and fees, so there are no free online degrees in the state. That said, students attending online colleges that accept financial aid can use grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and other types of aid to cover their college expenses. Combining different forms of financial aid can help students greatly reduce their costs, if not eliminate them entirely.

How Much Does a 2-Year Degree Cost?

Tuition and other college costs can vary widely depending on the type of school you attend and various other factors. That said, the national average tuition cost for an associate degree is about $4,000 per year, for around $8,000.

Tuition can be significantly higher at private schools, as well as at public schools in some states, including South Dakota. In South Dakota, total tuition for online associate degrees ranges from a little more than $10,000 to more than $21,000.

Discover Online Programs

If you're ready to start your online learning experience, explore the schools featured on Learn.org. Contact any of the schools to find out more about their online associate degrees and to choose the right program for you.