Best Online Colleges in South Dakota

Benefits of Studying Online in South Dakota

Tucked away in the Midwest, South Dakota may be small, but its credentials certainly speak louder than its population. It's the 17th largest state (in terms of area), spanning more than 77,000 square miles. Moreover, the population of 886,000 makes it the 46th largest state in America, and its capitol (Pierre) serves as the cultural and administrative center of the state. Additionally, the state no doubt gets its nickname (Mount Rushmore) from the iconic monument it's known for, as it officially became a recognized national memorial in 1941. The monument is as stunning as it is several, and offers some of the most spectacular views in the world. Nonetheless, the state isn't all about historical wonders, outdoorsmanship, and photo-ops; South Dakota also offers plenty of employment opportunities for those post-grads - even if it doen't house much of the nation's population.

Employment Stats

South Dakota only accounted for 0.3% of the nation's population in 2022, so it's not surprising that the state only tallied 455,400 jobs at the end of the year. That makes South Dakota the 47th largest employer in the US, besting out only North Dakota (which held 432,000 jobs). However, South Dakota still lost to Delaware, which achieved the 46th highest employed workforce at 464,000 people (a margin of 8,000 jobs or 1.8% less than South Dakota). Nevertheless, South Dakota still saw a small bump in employment during the last year (2.59%), and added 11,500 new jobs to the roster since 2021, when it held 443,900. That increase of 2.59 makes it the 35th fastest growing by employed persons. Yet, despite this minimal growth, the state still maintains about 1.5 million fewer people employed than the national median (77% less to be exact).

Job Opportunities

In terms of job types, South Dakota has a total of 566 occupations, which puts it in the 44th slot. Speaking in terms of the national median, which is held by Louisiana with 722 occupations, South Dakota falls short by -21.6%. This means you may have fewer career pathways to choose from than some of the larger states, although most occupations should still be available.

The state has a number of renowned universities, such as South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota, both of which have enrollments of over 10,000 students. Additionally, the state is home to several large companies, including Sanford Health and NorthWestern Energy. If you’re looking for an incomparable outdoor experience, the Black Hills of South Dakota are home to world-renowned Mount Rushmore, the winding Needles Highway and an abundance of other scenic attractions. The state also has a handful of national parks, making it an ideal destination for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of larger states.

Despite its small size, South Dakota still provides students plenty of opportunities to explore, learn, and find meaningful careers. It has one of the smallest populations in the nation, but that also equates to fewer people competing for the same job opportunities, making it a great place for those who are just starting out their careers. Additionally, the state does have a tiny bit of economic growth, ranking as the 35th fastest growing state in terms of employment, and those numbers will likely continue to rise over the next few years. Finding a job in South Dakota is no easy feat, but the current job market combined with the surprisingly competitive salaries should make South Dakota an appealing place for recent graduates.

*All data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023)