8 Cheapest Online Master's Degrees in South Dakota 2025

Master's degrees are graduate degrees that take about two years of full-time study to complete. Some students earn these because they're necessary for their careers, while others do it to further their career options.

Many schools offer master's degrees online, which is especially helpful for busy learners. While graduate school can be expensive, there are plenty of affordable online master's degree programs available to students. Keep reading to discover affordable online master's programs in South Dakota.

8 Most Affordable Online Master's Programs in South Dakota

Choosing a cheap online college can help you keep costs down as you earn a master's degree. Below, we've highlighted schools that offer cheap online master's degrees in South Dakota.

1. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a public university in Rapid City, SD. It offers two online master's degrees: a Master of Science (MS) in construction engineering and management and an MS in engineering management.

In-state residents pay a tuition rate of $339 per credit hour. Out-of-state students pay $470 per credit if they're studying through online courses.

• Average cost per credit hour: $339
• Financial aid: South Dakota Mines accepts aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Dakota Wesleyan University

At Dakota Wesleyan University, students can earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Education (MEd) online. The MBA offers concentrations like strategic leadership and nonprofit administration, while the MEd offers concentrations in areas like educational administration and athletic administration.

DWU, a private Christian school, is located in Mitchell, SD. It charges $400 per credit for the education program and $425 per credit for the MBA.

• Average cost per credit hour: $412.50
• Financial aid: DWU offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: HLC

3. University of Sioux Falls

Two online master's degrees are offered at the University of Sioux Falls: an MBA and an MEd. USF is a private Christian school in Sioux Falls, SD.

The MEd offers specializations in educational administration and higher education and costs $415 per credit. The MBA has an optional concentration in healthcare and costs $450 per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $432.50
• Financial aid: USF offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

4. University of South Dakota

Students at the University of South Dakota will find around two dozen online degree programs at the master's level. Areas of study include business analytics, elementary education, public health, and social work.

USD, located in Vermillion, SD, is a public research university. It charges a tuition rate of $470.45 per credit for online education degrees, regardless of where the student lives.

• Average cost per credit hour: $470.45
• Financial aid: USD accepts aid through FAFSA and private organizations. It also offers institutional financial aid options.
• Accreditation: HLC

5. South Dakota State University

South Dakota State University is a public research institution in Brookings, SD. It offers a variety of online graduate degrees in fields like data analytics, English, education, and human sciences.

Online students pay $470.45 per credit for their master's degrees. There are no out-of-state tuition costs for online learning at SDSU.

• Average cost per credit hour: $470.45
• Financial aid: SDSU accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

6. Black Hills State University

Half a dozen master's degrees are available online at Black Hills State University. Areas of study include secondary education, special education, strategic leadership, and sustainability.

BHSU, a public university, is located in Spearfish, SD. Tuition for online graduate degrees here is $470.45 per credit hour.

• Average cost per credit hour: $470.45
• Financial aid: BHSU offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: HLC

7. Northern State University

Northern State University offers several master's degrees through distance education. NSU is a public university in Aberdeen, SD.

Students can earn their degrees in fields like finance, elementary education, educational leadership, and strategic management. Tuition for these programs is $484.10 per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $484.10
• Financial aid: NSU offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

8. Dakota State University

Students at Dakota State University can earn several master's degrees online. Areas of study include business administration, computer science, data analytics, and healthcare informatics.

DSU, located in Madison, SD, is a public school. Tuition here is also $484.10 per credit hour for online programs at the graduate school.

• Average cost per credit hour: $484.10
• Financial aid: DSU accepts aid through FAFSA and private entities. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

Other Affordable Online Master's Programs

There may not be a ton of online schools in South Dakota, but the beauty of online learning is that it doesn't really matter where you live. Below, we've listed a couple of additional cheap online master's degrees in other states.

University of the People

The University of the People is a nonprofit private online school headquartered in Pasadena, CA. It's unique in that it does not charge for tuition. Instead, it charges a $60 application fee and then an assessment fee per course.

The school offers a Master of Education, which is $350 per course or about $4,610 in total, including the application fee. It also offers an MBA and a master's in information technology, which are both $400 per course or $4,860 in total.

• Average cost per credit hour: free
• Financial aid: University of the People offers institutional aid and accepts private aid. However, because it does not charge for tuition, it cannot accept aid through FAFSA.
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Dickinson State University

Through Dickinson State University, students can choose from several online master's programs. Areas of study include business administration, educational leadership, elementary education, and entrepreneurship.

Dickinson State, a public university, is located in Dickinson, ND. Tuition here is $336.67 per credit hour, no matter what state you're from.

• Average cost per credit hour: $336.67
• Financial aid: Dickinson State offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: HLC

How We Rank Schools

To choose the affordable online master's programs for this list, our methodology focused on:

• Accreditation: We only chose public and private nonprofit four-year schools that hold regional accreditation.
• Affordability: After narrowing down which accredited South Dakota schools offer online master's degrees, we sorted by price before expanding our search to the rest of the country.
• Program reputation: All programs on this list are known for offering high-quality degrees and support services to online students.

FAQs About Cheap Online Master's Programs in South Dakota

Finding high-quality, low-cost graduate degrees isn't always easy. Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about affordable master's programs in South Dakota to help you out.

How Much Does an Online Master's Degree Cost in South Dakota?

All of the schools we featured above offer online master's degrees for under $500 per credit. However, the price you pay will depend on what school you choose and can also depend on your program of study.

If your school charges different tuition based on the program, you'll likely notice that education degrees are the least expensive, while programs like MBAs and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), while some of the highest-paying master's degrees, are also some of the most expensive. However, several online colleges in South Dakota do not charge a different rate based on the program.

Other things that can impact your cost are if you have transfer credits or took graduate coursework during your bachelor's program, as well as what financial aid you qualify for.

Is an Online Master's Degree Cheaper Than an In-Person Program?

In some cases, an online master's degree can be cheaper than an in-person program; it depends on the school. In South Dakota, online degrees at public schools are often more expensive than on-campus programs for in-state students, but out-of-state students pay far less to study online than they would if they were learning on campus.

Are Online Master's Degrees Respected?

In most cases, online master's degrees are respected just as much as in-person degrees. In fact, often your degree won't specify whether you learned online or on campus, so potential employers won't know the difference.

How Can I Get My Master's If I Can't Afford It?

Most students do not have the funds to pay the cost of their degree up-front and out-of-pocket. There are several things you can do to lower your costs to make your program more affordable.

Start by looking at cheap online colleges that accept financial aid. Fill out your FAFSA every year to see what you qualify for.

Additionally, many schools offer scholarships, grants, and assistantships to help students cover their costs. You can also find scholarships through private sources, like industry organizations. If you have a job, you may also be eligible for tuition assistance through your employer.

Explore Graduate Programs Online

Start your journey toward reaching your career path by exploring the online programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to specific schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.