South Dakota State University (SDSU) vs Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC): Which Nursing School Wins on the Numbers?
Two of South Dakota's biggest nursing schools, side by side — 2025 first-time NCLEX pass rates from the state board of nursing, plus cost, admissions and each school's own nursing-graduate earnings from federal data. South Dakota State University (SDSU)'s best RN program outperformed Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC)'s on the 2025 first-time NCLEX (93.3% vs 91.2%), while Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) is the cheaper school on sticker tuition ($8,294 vs $9,299 a year).
| South Dakota State University (SDSU)Brookings · South Dakota · Public | Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC)Rapid City · South Dakota · Public | |
|---|---|---|
| Best 2025 NCLEX-RN pass rate | 93.3% | 91.2% |
| In-state tuition / yrsticker, whole institution | $9,299 | $8,294 |
| Avg net price after aid / yr | $19,841 | $12,670 |
| Acceptance ratewhole institution | 98% | — |
| Graduation rate | 62% | 54% |
| Undergraduates | 9,198 | 753 |
| BSN grad pay, 1 yr outthis school’s own nursing grads | $71,758 | — |
| BSN grad median debt | $23,500 | — |
| PN/LPN grad pay, 1 yr out | — | $43,884 |
Green = better on that row (higher pass rate, pay and graduation rate; lower cost and debt). Acceptance rate and size aren't scored — bigger or more selective isn't better for everyone. “—” = not published for that school.
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The pass-rate gap is a preparation gap
Whichever school you pick, the students who pass the NCLEX are the ones practicing NCLEX-style questions all the way through school — not just senior year. NurseSavvy does that from your own course materials for $19/mo, free for 14 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the higher NCLEX pass rate — South Dakota State University (SDSU) or Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC)?
South Dakota State University (SDSU) — 93.3% vs 91.2% first-time NCLEX-RN in 2025, per the South Dakota board of nursing. One year of data; check the trend on each school's page.
Which is cheaper — South Dakota State University (SDSU) or Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC)?
On published in-state tuition, Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) ($8,294/yr vs $9,299/yr). After average aid, net prices run $19,841 (South Dakota State University (SDSU)) vs $12,670 (Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC)).
About this data
Pass rates are 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN rates from the South Dakota board of nursing (each school's best rated RN program). Tuition, net price, admissions, earnings and debt come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 2026 release); earnings and debt are program-level figures for each school's own nursing graduates and lag the current class by several years. Full sources are on each school's page.