Best Online Colleges in South Dakota 2024

Q: What can I expect from an online college course?

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require a time of adjustment. Although you’ll typically learn the same material and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, going online will require greater independence and responsibility than going in person. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, for harnessing the online educational technology that you’ll need to use, and for completing the course requirements, such as listening to lectures, learning lessons, reading texts, and handing in assignments. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take the initiative in building relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

Q: Is online college easier than campus-based college?

No. The only part of online education that’s easier than campus-based education is ease of access: all you need is a computer and an internet connection for online education. But even this seeming advantage of online education can be misleading: what’s easier, studying online with your computer and internet connection from your home where you need to cook, clean, pay rent, and maintain a job? Or studying on campus in a dorm where all your living needs are handled by the school, and college staff are there to help you every step of the way? If you take the commute to campus out of the equation, campus-based education is easier. All the support structures available on campus for students, especially with real people to help you in person, are not there online. The demands on you as an online student will largely be the same as for your campus-based counterpart, but without the same helps. In general, your online courses will present the same material and test you in the same way as traditional in-person courses. In many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning with remote educational technology for the first time, online college may be considerably more challenging than campus-based college. For a few insights on how to manage this new online experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Badge for BEST ONLINE COLLEGES IN SOUTH DAKOTA

By Dr. James Barham

Published: Mar 21, 2022
Updated: Nov 22, 2023

Find the best online colleges in South Dakota ranked by the academic success of faculty and alumni associated with the colleges and universities and their online degree programs.

University of South Dakota
South Dakota State University
Black Hills State University
National American University
Dakota Wesleyan University
University of Sioux Falls
Northern State University
Dakota State University

University of South Dakota 99%
Black Hills State University 97%
South Dakota State University 86%
Dakota State University 79%
Northern State University 78%
University of Sioux Falls 76%
Dakota Wesleyan University 75%

South Dakota State University 18 to 1
Black Hills State University 18 to 1
Dakota State University 18 to 1
University of Sioux Falls 17 to 1
Northern State University 16 to 1
University of South Dakota 14 to 1
Dakota Wesleyan University 12 to 1
National American University 6 to 1

Dakota Wesleyan University $31,890
University of Sioux Falls $20,290
National American University $16,065
University of South Dakota $7,773
South Dakota State University $7,773
Northern State University $7,616
Black Hills State University $7,616
Dakota State University $7,616

National American University $15,750
Dakota Wesleyan University $15,300
South Dakota State University $8,164
Black Hills State University $7,998
University of Sioux Falls $7,200
University of South Dakota $6,123
Northern State University $5,999
Dakota State University $5,999

University of Sioux Falls
Dakota Wesleyan University
Northern State University
Dakota State University
Black Hills State University
National American University
South Dakota State University
University of South Dakota

Dakota State University
Northern State University
University of Sioux Falls
Dakota Wesleyan University
National American University
Black Hills State University
South Dakota State University
University of South Dakota

Dakota Wesleyan University 75%
University of Sioux Falls 76%
Northern State University 78%
Dakota State University 79%
South Dakota State University 86%
Black Hills State University 97%
University of South Dakota 99%

National American University 6 to 1
Dakota Wesleyan University 12 to 1
University of South Dakota 14 to 1
Northern State University 16 to 1
University of Sioux Falls 17 to 1
South Dakota State University 18 to 1
Black Hills State University 18 to 1
Dakota State University 18 to 1

Northern State University $7,616
Black Hills State University $7,616
Dakota State University $7,616
University of South Dakota $7,773
South Dakota State University $7,773
National American University $16,065
University of Sioux Falls $20,290
Dakota Wesleyan University $31,890

Northern State University $5,999
Dakota State University $5,999
University of South Dakota $6,123
University of Sioux Falls $7,200
Black Hills State University $7,998
South Dakota State University $8,164
Dakota Wesleyan University $15,300
National American University $15,750

Table of Contents

Featured Programs

Colleges and Universities in South Dakota

Almost 20 higher education institutions award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in the state, and only two schools exceed 5,000 in student population. The average college tuition in the state is $8,450, which is under the national average. Of the 11 public institutions, South Dakota State University is the largest with just over 10,000 students, and it has a tuition of $9,000.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

With a comparable tuition, the University of South Dakota is the second largest and located in Vermillion. Students can earn degrees in areas such as earth science, physics, and engineering. Eight private schools offer degrees ranging in tuition from $3,000 to $33,000. Many of these universities are religiously affiliated, Augustana University being the largest and most expensive. This Lutheran university is located in Sioux Falls and offers programs in economics, psychology, and biology. The most affordable colleges, Oglala Lakota College and Sinte Gleska University, are both tribal institutions charging $3,000 in fees.

Two monuments are carved into the rock of the Black Hills: Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial. In addition to its majestic mountains, South Dakota’s lands are some of the richest in fossils. Badlands National Park is home to unique rock formations as well as the fossils of saber-toothed cats, three-toed horses, and ancient marine animals. With vast plains and unique mountains, South Dakota offers a stunning setting for students looking to earn their degree in The Mount Rushmore State.

Find out more about the top programs and higher education opportunities available in South Dakota.

What are South Dakota’s Colleges & Universities?

South Dakota’s Best Overall

Online education has grown dramatically in quality, credibility, and popularity over the last two decades. Today, more than a quarter of all college students are taking at least one online course. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there are more than 5 million college students who are pursuing their undergraduate degree fully online. And the number of online college and graduate students continues to grow as online technology and instructional methods improve.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, access to remote learning has proven an essential part of the educational ecosystem. Schools that offer primarily online degree programs saw an increase of 7% enrollment just between Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. The number of traditional institutions offering online courses and degrees is growing as well. This all paints a promising picture for the future of online education. But it also produces a dizzying array of options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Best Online Colleges 2024

Asynchronous learning means classes don’t meet at set times. This is the most flexible online learning experience, making when you cover your course material up to you. Most asynchronous online courses will still have deadlines throughout the semester for various assignments and tests. Some asynchronous classes may still ask for an occasional meeting, such as initial meet-and-greets, and in some cases there may be scheduled test times. The idea of asynchronous learning is to allow the student to manage their schedules as needed.

Synchronous learning means you will have scheduled meeting times for your online classes. Synchronous learning gives online students the flexibility of location while also giving students a chance to engage with each other and their professors. For many online students, the structured class schedules and ability to see and hear from peers in real-time helps create the learning experience they want.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities—educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Best Online Colleges in South Dakota 2023

#1
University of South Dakota
Vermillion , SD
#1 Best Grad Schools in South Dakota 2025 #1 Best Research Universities in South Dakota 2024 #1 Best Colleges in South Dakota 2025 #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
99%
Graduation
57%
Student body
12K
Median SAT/ACT
1160/22
Career Outlook for degree at University of South Dakota
Cost of Degree: $9,432
Expenses: $15,207
Starting Salary: $49,500
Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Online Bachelor's Degrees
BS Addiction Counseling and Prevention

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS/BA Criminal Justice

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS/BA Psychology

Concentrations

Disaster Response

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Bachelor of Business Administration

Concentrations

Economics
Finance
Management

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Nursing

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS/BA Economics

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Bachelor of General Studies

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Health Sciences

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Public Health

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS/BA Sociology

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Technical Leadership

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#2
South Dakota State University
Brookings , SD
#2 Best Grad Schools in South Dakota 2025 #2 Best Research Universities in South Dakota 2024 #2 Best Colleges in South Dakota 2025 #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
59%
Student body
14K
Median SAT/ACT
1132/22
Career Outlook for degree at South Dakota State University
Cost of Degree: $9,299
Expenses: $15,445
Starting Salary: $50,200
Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Online Bachelor's Degrees
BS Nursing (RN-to-BSN)

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS/BA Psychology

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Sociology

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Geographic Information Sciences

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS/BA Geography

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Early Education and Care

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Bachelor of General Studies

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Human Development and Family Studies

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Interdisciplinary Studies

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Medical Laboratory Science

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#3
National American University
Rapid City , SD
#2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in South Dakota 2025 #2 Best Small Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #2 Best Private Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #3 Best Grad Schools in South Dakota 2025
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$16K
Graduation
33%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at National American University
Cost of Degree: $16,065
Starting Salary: $39,500
Online Bachelor's Degrees
Bachelor of Accounting

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Business Administration

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Construction Management

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Criminal Justice

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Information Technology

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Bachelor of Aviation Management

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Bachelor of Cybersecurity and Forensics Emphasis IT

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Energy Management

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Bachelor of Healthcare Management

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Bachelor of Human Resources Management

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Intelligence Management

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BA Interdisciplinary Studies

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Bachelor of Management

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Nuclear Enterprise Security Studies

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Bachelor of Paralegal Studies

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Bachelor of Professional Legal Studies

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Strategic Security and Protection Management

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Terrorism and Counterterrorism Studies

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#4
Black Hills State University
Spearfish , SD
#1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in South Dakota 2025 #3 Best Small Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #3 Best Colleges in South Dakota 2025 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
44%
Student body
6K
Median SAT/ACT
1027/21
Career Outlook for degree at Black Hills State University
Cost of Degree: $8,916
Expenses: $13,100
Starting Salary: $40,500
Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Online Bachelor's Degrees
Bachelor of Corporate Communication

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Bachelor of Business Administration

Concentrations

Accounting
Economics and Finance
Entreprenurial Studies
Human Resource Management
Management
Marketing
Tourism & Hospitality
Professional Accountancy
Military Science

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Bachelor of General Studies

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#5
Dakota State University
Madison , SD
#4 Best Small Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #4 Best Grad Schools in South Dakota 2025 #4 Best Public Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in South Dakota 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
79%
Graduation
49%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1090/23
Career Outlook for degree at Dakota State University
Cost of Degree: $9,633
Expenses: $16,476
Starting Salary: $43,100
Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Online Bachelor's Degrees
Bachelor of Business Administration

Concentrations

Accounting
Business Technology
Finance
Management
Marketing

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Computer Information Systems

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Computer Science

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Cyber Leadership and Intelligence

Concentrations

Digital Forensics
World Affairs and Human Behavior

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Cyber Operations

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Artificial Intelligence

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Artificial Intelligence in Organizations

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BSEd Elementary Education

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BSEd Elementary Education/Special Education

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Bachelor of General Studies

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Health Information Administration

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Network and Security Administration

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Professional Accountancy

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#6
Northern State University
Aberdeen , SD
#5 Best Small Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #5 Best Public Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in South Dakota 2025 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in South Dakota 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
78%
Graduation
51%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
975/21
Career Outlook for degree at Northern State University
Cost of Degree: $8,845
Expenses: $14,500
Starting Salary: $37,300
Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Online Bachelor's Degrees
BS Accounting

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Banking and Financial Services

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Business Administration

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BA International Business

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Management

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS Marketing

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#7
Dakota Wesleyan University
Mitchell , SD
#2 Best Christian Colleges in South Dakota 2025 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in South Dakota 2025 #4 Best Private Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #6 Best Colleges in South Dakota 2025
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$32K
Acceptance
75%
Graduation
53%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
1185/21
Career Outlook for degree at Dakota Wesleyan University
Cost of Degree: $32,890
Expenses: $10,950
Starting Salary: $40,900
Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Online Bachelor's Degrees
BS Nursing (LPN-to-BSN)

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#8
University of Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls , SD
#3 Best Christian Colleges in South Dakota 2025 #3 Best Private Colleges in South Dakota 2024 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in South Dakota 2025 #6 Best Small Colleges in South Dakota 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$20K
Acceptance
76%
Graduation
59%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Sioux Falls
Cost of Degree: $20,740
Expenses: $14,305
Starting Salary: $44,800
Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Online Bachelor's Degrees
Bachelor of Accounting

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online Degree Completion
Bachelor of Business

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online Degree Completion
Bachelor of Health Administration

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online Degree Completion
Bachelor of General Studies

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online Degree Completion
Compare school

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require a time of adjustment. Although you’ll typically learn the same material and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, going online will require greater independence and responsibility than going in person. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, for harnessing the online educational technology that you’ll need to use, and for completing the course requirements, such as listening to lectures, learning lessons, reading texts, and handing in assignments. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take the initiative in building relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier than campus-based education is ease of access: all you need is a computer and an internet connection for online education. But even this seeming advantage of online education can be misleading: what’s easier, studying online with your computer and internet connection from your home where you need to cook, clean, pay rent, and maintain a job? Or studying on campus in a dorm where all your living needs are handled by the school, and college staff are there to help you every step of the way?

If you take the commute to campus out of the equation, campus-based education is easier. All the support structures available on campus for students, especially with real people to help you in person, are not there online. The demands on you as an online student will largely be the same as for your campus-based counterpart, but without the same helps.

In general, your online courses will present the same material and test you in the same way as traditional in-person courses. In many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning with remote educational technology for the first time, online college may be considerably more challenging than campus-based college. For a few insights on how to manage this new online experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable non-profit institutions on the one end and less-than-reputable for-profit institutions on the other end. Accreditation gives you the power to identify the more reputable actors in online education. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency indicating that a college or university is meeting standards of quality and credibility. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university that is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. For students seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that they opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree. For more on this important topic, check out our What is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter? College & University Accreditation Guide.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited (see the previous point), you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer of credits. In many cases, you will encounter some bureaucratic haggling in which some of your credits will be transferred and others may be refused. However, provided that you have attended an online school with recognized regional accreditation, you should be in good shape in transferring your credits earned online.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript, or resumé differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

Some employers may express the concern that because you did your degree online, you may need to transition from an online education experience to in-person workplace experience. But in an age of Covid, that concern seems much diminished. The fact is that much employment these days is remote. And collaboration increasingly happens online over Zoom. Many employers will therefore view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will be less than ideal for you (though depending on your circumstances, it may also be the only viable option).

While there is much in traditional campus-based education that can be substituted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing that can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual in-person classroom setting. As you transition to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face in getting the most out of your online classes is overcoming this difference between “real reality” and “virtual reality.” Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. Above all, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete at your own pace and on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here

Best Online Colleges in South Dakota 2024

Top Online Colleges in South Dakota

Featured Programs

Colleges and Universities in South Dakota

What are South Dakota’s Colleges & Universities?

Best Online Colleges in South Dakota 2023

Career Outlook for degree at University of South Dakota

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Concentrations

Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at South Dakota State University

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at National American University

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Black Hills State University

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Dakota State University

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Concentrations

Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Northern State University

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Dakota Wesleyan University

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at University of Sioux Falls

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect from an online college course?+

Is online college easier than campus-based college?+

Why does accreditation matter in online college?+

Will I be able to transfer my online college degree?+

Will employers respect my online degree?+

What are the disadvantages of online classes?+

What are the advantages of online classes?+

Resources for Online College-Bound Students