South Dakota Trade Schools

List of Top Trade Schools in South Dakota

AETech

AETech Electrical Training Center is a small private electrical training business, not a college. Its main program is a 640-hour, four-month apprentice electrician course taught full time by day and in person only, with at most 12 students. It also runs journeyman exam prep and NEC code classes, in person or by live webinar. There is no federal student aid, but the apprentice course is VA-approved.

  • 320 East Blvd N Rapid City, SD 57701
  • Skilled Trades, Electrical

Black Hills State University

Black Hills State University is a public four-year university in the South Dakota Board of Regents system. Its career-relevant credentials are mainly bachelor's degrees: AACSB-accredited business, exercise science and a BFA in graphic design, not short trade certificates. A pre-nursing associate degree leads into South Dakota State University's BSN. On-campus tuition and activity fee for a 30-credit 2026-27 year is $9,226.50 for South Dakota residents and new students from 11 other states.

  • 1200 University St Spearfish, SD 57799
  • 4300 Cheyenne Blvd Box Elder, SD 57719
  • Business, Wellness, Graphics, Design, and Arts

Dakotas Electrical Apprenticeship

Dakotas Electrical Apprenticeship has two training sites in South Dakota, one in the east and one in the west, and covers the state except the southern halves of Yankton, Clay and Union counties. Apprentices register with the South Dakota Electrical Commission, whose journeyman route is four years and 8,000 hours as a licensed apprentice. The Sioux Falls 2026-27 calendar runs from August to June.

  • 3725 N 4th Ave Sioux Falls, SD 57104
  • 922 E Saint Patrick St Rapid City, SD 57701
  • Skilled Trades, Electrical

Great Plains Welding Academy

Great Plains Welding Academy is a private, for-profit welding school with one in-person program: the 240-hour Accelerated Welding Program, about 6 weeks full-time or 12 weeks part-time, built around 8 certifications based on AWS D1.1 in MIG and Stick welding. Students can start year-round and need no GED. The school is not accredited and takes no federal student aid, but it is approved for GI Bill benefits.

  • 420 Creek Drive Bldg B Rapid City, SD 57703
  • Skilled Trades, Welding

IEC Dakotas

IEC Dakotas teaches its four-year electrical apprenticeship at two South Dakota sites, and from 2026-27 its western classes meet at Western Dakota Technical College. Apprentices must already work full time for an electrical contractor; South Dakota's journeyman licence needs four years and 8,000 hours as a licensed apprentice. The current published rate is $1,835 a year for apprentices of member contractors. It is not a college and has no federal aid.

  • 801 W. Blackhawk Street Sioux Falls, SD 57104
  • 800 Mickelson Drive Rapid City, SD 57703
  • Skilled Trades, Electrical

Lake Area Technical College

Lake Area Technical College is a public two-year technical college in South Dakota, the 2017 Aspen Prize winner, training nurses, diesel and automotive technicians, pilots, aircraft mechanics, therapy and dental assistants, paramedics and police officers through associate degrees, diplomas and certificates. Most programs are taught on one campus; some business, accounting and software degrees run online. 2026-27 tuition and fees are $210 per credit for in-state and out-of-state students, plus program fees.

  • 1201 Arrow Ave. Watertown, SD 57201
  • Business, Criminal Justice and Law, Healthcare and Nursing, Skilled Trades, Professional Services, Computer and Information Technology, Automotive, Aviation, Cosmetology, Dental, Education, Graphics, Design, and Arts, Machine Operation, Medical Assisting, Phlebotomy Technician, Public Safety, Trucking and Transportation, Welding

Mitchell Tech

Mitchell Technical College (Mitchell Tech) is a public two-year technical college in South Dakota offering AAS degrees, diplomas and certificates in nursing, radiologic technology, electrical, welding, HVAC, construction, agriculture, diesel and business, with four programs taught fully online, by its count. All of its 2025 first-time NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN candidates passed, and 2026-27 general-education credits cost $245 for in-state and out-of-state students alike.

  • 1800 E. Spruce St. Mitchell, SD 57301
  • Business, Healthcare and Nursing, Skilled Trades, Construction, Electrical, HVAC and Building Services, Machine Operation, Medical Assisting, Radiology, Welding

Paul Mitchell Schools

South Dakota's only Paul Mitchell school is in Rapid City, on Omaha Street, run by Headlines Academy, Inc. It teaches 1,500-hour cosmetology, 600-hour esthetics, nails (400 or 600 hours) and a 750-hour massage therapy program. Its page discloses NACCAS probation under Financial Reporting Requirements, with no date given. Its catalog says it keeps a file of local housing information.

  • 333 Omaha Street, Suite 6 & 7 Rapid City, SD 57701
  • Cosmetology and Barbering

South Dakota Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors, Inc

SDAPHCC is a contractor trade association, founded in 1948 and affiliated with PHCC National, that runs four-year apprenticeship classroom study in plumbing, HVAC, sheet metal and refrigeration, by mailed-in correspondence, with PHCC e-learning for plumbing and HVAC. Apprentices must work for a member contractor, which provides the on-the-job training, and completers earn an SDAPHCC Certificate of Completion. Fees are $200 to enroll plus $24.50 a month; e-learning adds $1,025 a year. No federal student aid.

  • Online, SD
  • HVAC and Building Services, Skilled Trades

Southeast Technical College

Southeast Technical College is a public two-year technical college in South Dakota, governed by the Sioux Falls School Board. It awards associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and short courses in nursing and allied health, the skilled trades, engineering technology, IT and business, and the college lists eight programs as fully online. Its 2024 RN graduates passed the NCLEX-RN at 95.92%, and 2026-27 tuition and fees are $282 a credit, with no separate out-of-state rate published.

  • 2320 N Career Ave Sioux Falls, SD 57107
  • 939 Ohio Avenue SW Huron, SD 57350
  • Healthcare and Nursing, Dental, Medical Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding, Phlebotomy Technician, Public Safety, Veterinary Services, Skilled Trades, Automotive, Welding, Electrical, HVAC and Building Services, Construction, Trucking and Transportation, Computer and Information Technology, Business, Education

Western Dakota Tech

Western Dakota Technical College is a public two-year technical college in western South Dakota offering associate degrees, diplomas and certificates in nursing and health sciences, the skilled trades, truck driving, law enforcement, IT and business, with six business programs fully online. Practical Nursing is also taught at three sites outside Rapid City. For 2026-27 every student pays $276 a credit in tuition and fees, plus program fees.

  • 800 Mickelson Dr Rapid City, SD 57703
  • Hale Hall, 1016 Meade St Whitewood, SD
  • Philip High School, 330 Scottie Ave Philip, SD
  • State Veterans Home, 2500 Minnekahta Ave Hot Springs, SD
  • Healthcare and Nursing, Dental, Medical Billing and Coding, Phlebotomy Technician, Radiology, Public Safety, Criminal Justice and Law, Skilled Trades, Automotive, Welding, Electrical, Construction, Trucking and Transportation, Computer and Information Technology, Business

Benefits of South Dakota Trade Schools

Trade schools in South Dakota provide hands-on training, industry certifications, and job placement assistance for adults seeking career-focused education. Programs are designed to prepare students for immediate employment in skilled trades, healthcare, technology, and other technical fields.

Many schools have strong industry partnerships, ensuring students gain real-world experience through apprenticeships, externships, and job placement services.

With shorter program durations and lower tuition costs than traditional four-year colleges, vocational and technical schools offer a cost-effective path to stable, high-demand careers.

Average Cost of Trade Schools in South Dakota

Trade school tuition in South Dakota varies by institution and program length. Below are some examples:

Most Affordable Option: AETech Electrical Training Center – Courses start at $200 for an 8-hour course; full exam prep programs cost $950 to $1,000.

Mid-Range Schools:

  • Western Dakota Tech – $124 per credit hour + fees ($255 per credit hour total)
  • Mitchell Tech – $228-$243 per credit hour
  • Lake Area Technical College – $124 per credit hour

Higher-Priced Programs:

  • IEC Dakotas Electrical Apprenticeship – $1,695-$5,000 per year, depending on membership status.
  • RTEC CNC Machining – $4,290
  • SDAPHCC Medical Gas Certification – $1,575-$1,775

Most schools offer financial aid, scholarships, and tuition assistance to help offset costs.

Who Accredits of Trade Schools in SD?

Accreditation ensures quality education and eligibility for financial aid.

Many South Dakota vocational and technical schools hold regional or program-specific accreditations, including:

  • Higher Learning Commission (HLC) – Mitchell Tech, Southeast Tech, Western Dakota Tech, Black Hills State University
  • American Welding Society (AWS) – RTEC (Accredited Testing Facility)
  • Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) – Western Dakota Tech Paramedic Program
  • ASE Education Foundation – Western Dakota Tech Automotive Program
  • National Association of Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors (NAPHCC) – SDAPHCC

Online Training: A Practical Option for Rural South Dakotans

For many South Dakotans, online vocational training offers a faster and more accessible way to gain career skills without the need for long commutes. Instead of traveling hours to the nearest technical school, students in rural areas can complete coursework online at their own pace, often with access to virtual labs, interactive simulations, and instructor-led lessons. This flexibility allows individuals to balance education with work, family responsibilities, or other commitments.

Check out these popular online programs:

Online training is especially beneficial for working adults looking to switch careers or gain industry certifications while maintaining their current jobs. Many South Dakota trade schools provide self-paced learning options, allowing students to progress on a schedule that fits their lifestyle.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Many trade schools in South Dakota offer scholarships, financial aid, and tuition assistance to help students afford their education. Common funding sources include:

  • Federal Pell Grants & Student Loans (available at accredited institutions)
  • School-Specific Scholarships
    • IEC Dakotas – Scholarships from $500 to $1,500
    • Mitchell Tech – Financial aid through state and institutional scholarships
  • Employer Sponsorships & Tuition Reimbursement
  • Military Benefits & Veteran Discounts
    • National American University – Reduced tuition for veterans
    • SDAPHCC – Veteran-friendly apprenticeship training

Students should contact each school’s financial aid office to explore available funding options.

Top 10 Most Common Trade Programs in South Dakota

Based on the content provided, the most common vocational and technical training programs in South Dakota include:

  1. Welding Technology – Offered at Great Plains Welding Academy, RTEC, Western Dakota Tech
  2. Electrical Trades – AETech Electrical Training, IEC Dakotas
  3. Automotive Technology – Lake Area Technical College, Western Dakota Tech
  4. Plumbing & HVAC – SDAPHCC, Western Dakota Tech
  5. Nursing & Medical Assisting – Mitchell Tech, Western Dakota Tech, Lake Area Technical College
  6. Construction & Manufacturing – Mitchell Tech, Western Dakota Tech
  7. Computer & IT Programs – Lake Area Technical College, National American University
  8. CNC Machining – RTEC
  9. Business & Accounting – Mitchell Tech, Black Hills State University, National American University
  10. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) – Western Dakota Tech

These programs reflect high-demand fields that offer strong job placement rates and competitive salaries in South Dakota.

Examples of Some Trade School Courses

Trade schools in South Dakota offer specialized vocational courses, including:

  • AWS D1.1 Structural Steel Welding – Great Plains Welding Academy
  • NEC Code Changes & Electrical Exam Prep – AETech Electrical Training
  • Plumbing & HVAC Certification – SDAPHCC
  • Medical Assisting & Phlebotomy Training – Western Dakota Tech
  • Precision Machining & CNC Training – RTEC
  • Automotive Diesel Repair – Lake Area Technical College
  • Cybersecurity & IT Networking – Southeast Technical College
  • Business Accounting & Marketing – Mitchell Tech

These courses provide practical, hands-on training tailored to industry needs.

Average Duration or Timeframe of Trade Schools

The length of a vocational or technical education program depends on the school and field of study:

Short-Term Certifications (Weeks to Months)

  • Electrical Exam Prep (AETech Electrical Training) – 5-day to 16-hour courses
  • Medical Gas Certification (SDAPHCC) – Several days
  • Advanced Welding (RTEC) – 6 to 7 weeks

Diplomas & Associate Degrees (1-2 Years)

  • Mitchell Tech, Western Dakota Tech, Lake Area Technical College – 1 to 2 years
  • IEC Dakotas Electrical Apprenticeship – 4 years
  • Plumbing & HVAC Apprenticeship (SDAPHCC) – 4 years

Many programs emphasize accelerated training, helping adults transition into the workforce faster.

Do They Have Discounts or Special Considerations for Veterans?

Yes, multiple South Dakota trade schools offer benefits for military members and veterans, including:

  • National American University – Veterans get free applications, reduced tuition, and generous transfer credit policies.
  • IEC Dakotas – Offers discounted tuition for apprentices who are members of affiliated electrical contractors.
  • SDAPHCC – Apprenticeships provide an earn-while-you-learn opportunity, making them financially viable for veterans transitioning into civilian careers.

Veterans should contact individual schools to learn about military tuition discounts, GI Bill acceptance, and credit transfers.

Are There Any Career Services That the Schools Provide?

Yes, South Dakota trade schools provide strong job placement support and career services to help students secure employment.

Services include:

  • Job Placement Assistance
    • Great Plains Welding Academy – 95% job placement rate
    • RTEC – Employers hire students directly from training programs
    • Mitchell Tech – 99% success rate (employment or further education)
  • Externships & Hands-On Training
    • Western Dakota Tech (Healthcare, EMS, Automotive)
    • Lake Area Technical College (Nursing, Aviation, Business)
  • Resume & Interview Prep
    • National American University – Career planning & online job resources
  • Apprenticeship-to-Job Pipeline
    • IEC Dakotas, SDAPHCC – Direct connections to industry employers

With high job placement rates and strong employer partnerships, vocational schools in South Dakota offer excellent employment opportunities for graduates.