The best LPN programs near Sioux Falls, South Dakota pair focused training with a state median wage of about $52,750 a year for licensed practical nurses (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most students finish a state-approved practical nursing program in about 12 months full-time, then take the NCLEX-PN exam for state licensure.
LPNs (called LVNs in some states) provide hands-on nursing care - monitoring vital signs, administering basic care and some medications, and supporting RNs and physicians. Practical nursing programs usually combine classroom study with supervised clinical practice.
Key Facts
South Dakota median wage: $52,750/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
South Dakota employment: 2,050 licensed practical nurses (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
South Dakota location quotient: 1.08 (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
Typical program length: 6-12 months (certificate) to 2 years (associate) (Source: IPEDS, 2024)
LPN Schools near Sioux Falls
Compare LPN schools near Sioux Falls
BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from
federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings
are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single
trade. Distance is measured from Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Schools closest to Sioux Falls, South Dakota are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from Sioux Falls, South Dakota is shown for reference.
The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation,
earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within
each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it.
*Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is
completed in person. Read the full methodology.
How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention.
Advertising plays no part.
This page lists 8 schools
within 109 miles, closest group first, then ordered by
BOC Score with the highest at the top.
8 of them carry a score.
LOCAL RANK
Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%
Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal
about the institution rather than about this subject.
Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from
this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.
Median Graduate Earnings by School - Best LPN Programs in Sioux Falls, South Dakota (2026)Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard - median earnings of all graduates at each school (not a single program).
Median graduate earnings by school for schools serving Best LPN Programs in Sioux Falls, South Dakota (2026)
School
Median graduate earnings
Northwest Iowa Community College
$60,885
Mitchell Technical College
$54,865
Southeast Technical College
$53,289
Minnesota West Community and Technical College
$52,390
Lake Area Technical College
$49,488
Northeast Community College
$49,390
LPN Pay and Job Outlook
Annual Wage by Percentile, United States - Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational NursesSource: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses annual wage percentiles
Percentile
Annual wage
10th
$49,740
25th
$59,000
50th (median)
$64,400
75th
$76,030
90th
$83,440
Projected employment growth, United States, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, 2024-2034Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses employment projection 2024 to 2034
Year
Employment
2024
651,400
2034 projected
668,500
Percent change
+2.6%
South Dakota LPN Quick Facts
Nursing-Lpn Salary in U.S.
Median Salary$64,400$30.96/hr
Average Salary$67,050$32.24/hr
Salary Range
$49,74010th pctl
$64,400Median
$83,44090th pctl
10th Percentile$49,740 $23.91/hr
25th Percentile$59,000 $28.37/hr
75th Percentile$76,030 $36.55/hr
90th Percentile$83,440 $40.12/hr
Employment & Outlook
Total Employed648,410
Growth (2024-2034)2.6%
Annual Openings54,400
Jobs per 1,0004.2
How to Start a LPN Career in South Dakota
Finish high school or earn a GED. Biology, chemistry, and health coursework are helpful preparation for practical nursing programs.
Complete a state-approved practical nursing program. Programs typically run about 12 months full-time and combine coursework with supervised clinical hours. Confirm the program is approved by your state’s board of nursing.
Pass the NCLEX-PN exam. The National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses is the licensure exam used nationwide.
Apply for your state license. Submit your application to your state board of nursing and complete any additional state requirements the board lists.
Grow your nursing career. With experience, many LPNs pursue specialty certifications or LPN-to-RN bridge programs.
Yes. Every state licenses practical/vocational nurses. The national framework is the same everywhere: complete a state-approved practical nursing program, then pass the NCLEX-PN exam and apply to your state’s board of nursing. Confirm program approval and application details with your state board before enrolling.
Pathways into the Field
The standard path is a state-approved practical nursing certificate or diploma program at a community college or career school, followed by the NCLEX-PN. Some students later use LPN-to-RN bridge programs to continue their nursing education.
What You Study
Anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology
Pharmacology and medication administration basics
Patient care fundamentals and clinical skills
Supervised clinical rotations
NCLEX-PN preparation
Tips for Choosing a LPN Program
Confirm accreditation and how recognized the credential is with employers.
Look for hands-on training in clinical hours, NCLEX-PN pass support, and state board approval.
Compare flexible schedules (day/evening/online) that match your availability.
Ask about job-search support with local employers.
Review certification-prep resources and post-completion support.
Popular Online Programs In South Dakota
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does LPN training take near Sioux Falls?
State-approved practical nursing programs typically take about 12 months of full-time study, or up to 2 years part-time. Graduates must then pass the NCLEX-PN exam to apply for state licensure.
How much do licensed practical nurses earn in South Dakota?
According to BLS OEWS (May 2025), licensed practical nurses in South Dakota earned a median annual wage of about $52,750. Pay varies with experience, employer, and specialization. The 10th-to-90th percentile range was about $40,770 to $67,700 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
How many LPN schools are near Sioux Falls?
The schools listed above are within driving distance of Sioux Falls. Compare them by tuition, program length, BOC Score, and the credential each one awards.
Do LPNs need a license?
Yes. Every state licenses practical/vocational nurses. The national framework is the same everywhere: complete a state-approved practical nursing program, then pass the NCLEX-PN exam and apply to your state's board of nursing. Confirm program approval and application details with your state board before enrolling.
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
Data
Provider
Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
