Board-reported · 2022

NCLEX Pass Rates — South Dakota Nursing Schools (2022)

As of 2022, 5 South Dakota schools reported first-time RN NCLEX pass rates of 68.0–97.5%, per South Dakota Board of Nursing. Dataset average 85.0% (national reference 86.7%). Only display-eligible cohorts of 10+ first-time candidates are shown.

South Dakota average: 85.0%; -1.7 pts vs national
National: 86.7%; NCSBN 2025
Schools reported: 5; Cohorts of 10 or more
At 90% or higher: 2

Board-reported outcomes

Every South Dakota program the board reports, ranked by first-time pass rate. Schools listed on this site link to their profiles.

5 of 5

First-time RN NCLEX pass rates for South Dakota, ranked by pass rate. National average 86.7% marked on each bar.
#	School	Credential	Pass rateNational 86.7% marked	N	Status
1	Augustana University	—	97.5%	81	On site
2	University of South Dakota	—	94.1%	136	On site
3	South Dakota State University	—	89.6%	288	On site
4	Dakota Wesleyan University	—	75.8%	33	On site
5	Mount Marty University	—	68.0%	25	On site

Source: South Dakota Board of Nursing. Last verified Oct 1, 2026.

Programs accepting applications

Compare South Dakota ADN and BSN programs

The pre-licensure programs that lead to the NCLEX-RN. Check each school against the board-reported table above.

Next step in South Dakota

All nursing programs in South DakotaEvery accredited South Dakota ADN, BSN, and LPN program in one directory, with pass rates where reported.
Fastest nursing programs in South DakotaAccelerated BSN, LPN-to-RN, and short ADN routes, with program length in months.
Affordable programs in South DakotaCompare listed tuition in South Dakota once you have the pass-rate picture.
Programs for working adults in South DakotaFlexible online and hybrid tracks for students who need to keep working.
Online nursing programs in South DakotaDidactic coursework online with local clinicals — same-state authorization still applies.
RN-to-BSN in South DakotaAlready licensed? Bridge to a BSN without repeating NCLEX prep.

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South Dakota programs with strong pass rates you can apply to

On-site listings from our directory with first-time pass rates at or near the top of the table. Board-reported rates above remain the source for licensure outcomes.

Augustana University
97.5% first-time RN
See start dates and apply
University of South Dakota
94.1% first-time RN
See start dates and apply
South Dakota State University
89.6% first-time RN
See start dates and apply

Already licensed? Next credentials for South Dakota nurses

Pass rates and sticker price are for the first license. Working RNs in South Dakota often stack an online RN-to-BSN, then an NP specialty. Online RN-to-BSN options serving South Dakota include Walden University at $27,710 listed total tuition in our directory. South Dakota grants nurse practitioners full practice authority: NPs can evaluate patients, diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications — including controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing, without a required physician collaboration agreement.

What is the average NCLEX pass rate for South Dakota nursing schools?

The average NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate for schools in South Dakota is 85.0%, compared to the national average of 86.7%. Display-eligible school rates in our table range from 68.0% to 97.5%. Source: South Dakota Board of Nursing.

How do I find nursing schools with high NCLEX pass rates in South Dakota?

Use the board-reported table on this page — 5 South Dakota board-reported first-time RN rates from cohorts of 10+ candidates. Compare those rates against the state average (85.0%) and the national reference (86.7%). Small cohorts under 10 candidates are excluded because 100% rates from tiny samples are statistically unreliable.

Which programs are included in the NCLEX outcomes table for South Dakota?

The primary table lists 5 live-directory schools with display-eligible, board-reported first-time RN NCLEX rates (latest year, N≥10). A secondary directory section may list programs serving South Dakota that also publish a program-level figure — treat board data as authoritative for licensure outcomes.

Compare nursing programs in South Dakota

South Dakota nursing reference

RN salary data$72,210 average (BLS).Nursing schools Scholarships License requirements Admission requirements How to become a nurse Nursing shortage & outlook For working adults LPN to RN RN to BSN FNP programs PMHNP programs Nurse midwife programs MSN programs DNP programs CRNA programs

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