Online Engineering Programs in South Dakota

Famous for Mount Rushmore and Badlands National Park, South Dakota is a state rich in history and beauty. At a population of just above 800,000, South Dakota has a small-town feel even in the largest cities. With its varied landscapes of prairies, farms, badlands, lakes, and rivers, South Dakota has much to offer both visitors and residents alike.

South Dakota also offers a distinctive environment for engineers and engineering students, particularly those interested in applied, industry-connected work. The state’s economy is anchored in sectors like mining, energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing.

South Dakota is also investing in areas such as cybersecurity, data science, renewable energy, and rural infrastructure resilience, giving engineering students exposure to emerging technical challenges with immediate societal impact. For engineers of all stripes–from software engineers, to environmental engineers, to robotics engineers–the combination of lower cost of living, close faculty-industry ties, and project-driven learning makes the state an unexpectedly strong setting for engineering education and early-career development.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2024) reported that there were 6,550 architecture and engineering professionals in South Dakota (SD), a figure that is expected to increase in the coming years. The largest engineering subdisciplines in the state are:

Operating engineers (and other construction equipment operators) – 2,080 working in SD
Civil engineering – 1,270
Industrial engineers – 770
Mechanical engineering – 680

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025) further reported that job opportunities for architecture and engineering occupations are expected to grow faster than the 3 percent average for all occupations nationwide between 2024 and 2034. About 186,500 openings are projected each year, on average, in these occupations.

That said, some specializations are expected to be in demand nationwide more than others. Here are a few of the fastest-growing engineering subfields nationally, listed with their expected growth:

Industrial engineering – 11 percent increase (38,500 new jobs)
Mechanical engineering – 9 percent increase (26,500 new jobs)
Computer hardware engineering – 7 percent increase (5,600 new jobs)
Electrical and electronics engineering – 7 percent increase (19,700 new jobs)
Agricultural engineering – 6 percent increase (100 new jobs)
Materials engineering – 6 percent increase (1,300 new jobs)
Bioengineers and Biomedical engineering – 5 percent increase (1,100 new jobs)
Civil Engineering – 5 percent increase (18,500 new jobs)
Environmental engineering – 4 percent increase (1,500 new jobs)
Chemical engineering – 3 percent increase (600 new jobs)

In South Dakota (SD) specifically, the expected percentages were even higher. According to Projections Central (2025), the top-growing subfields of engineering include:

Industrial Engineers – 20.3 percent increase (150 new jobs)
Mechanical Engineers – 16.9 percent increase (120 new jobs)
Operating Engineers (and other construction equipment operators) – 10.6 percent increase (210 new jobs)
Civil Engineers – 9 percent increase (130 new jobs)

Furthermore, engineers in the state earn competitive salaries; the average salary for the 6,550 engineers and architectural workers in South Dakota was $83,640, according to the BLS (May 2024). By comparison, the average annual salary for all positions in the state was $55,480.

Annual mean wages for some of the most popular fields of engineering in the state include:

Electrical Engineers – $101,620
Mining and Geological Engineers – $99,720
Mechanical Engineers – $96,180
Industrial Engineers – $95,790

There are fewer engineering programs in South Dakota than in most other states, but there are still outstanding online options available. To learn more, read on.

Featured Online Engineering Programs
ECPI University	Electronics Engineering Technology (Bachelor's)	Visit Site
ECPI University	Mechanical Engineering Technology (Associate's)	Visit Site
ECPI University	Mechanical Engineering Technology (Bachelor's)	Visit Site
Arizona State University	Electrical Engineering (BSE)	Visit Site
Arizona State University	Industrial Engineering (MS)	Visit Site
Arizona State University	Mechanical Engineering (BSE)	Visit Site
American Public University	Engineering: Electrical Engineering (BEng)	Visit Site
Southern New Hampshire University	Online MBA - Engineering Management	Visit Site
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Meet the Expert: Mark Van Vleck, PE

Mark Van Vleck is an instructor and the program coordinator for the construction engineering and management (CEM) program at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. He holds a bachelor of science in civil engineering from South Dakota Mines and a master of engineering in construction management from the University of Florida.

Van Vleck began his career as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps, where, over two decades, he advanced through leadership roles across public works, construction contracting, and Naval Construction Force (Seabees) assignments. After retiring from the Navy, he transitioned to municipal leadership in Corpus Christi, Texas, serving as project manager, deputy water director, director of development services, executive director of utilities, and assistant city manager for public works and utilities before retiring in 2020. He is a registered professional engineer in both South Dakota and Texas.

OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: What can you tell our readers about your engineering program in South Dakota?

Van Vleck: The courses in our program can be taken online (synchronously or asynchronously), or in the classroom. There are two instructors, and both have extensive construction experience. There aren’t that many engineering jobs in South Dakota, but the School of Mines has a reputation for producing excellent engineers.

OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: Do you have any advice for new and aspiring engineers?

Van Vleck: Get registered as a Professional Engineer. We never know where our careers may take us. You don’t want to eliminate some of your options because you aren’t registered.

OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: What does the future of engineering look like to you?

Van Vleck: The need for engineers is only going to keep growing.

Meet the Expert: Jared Soundy, PhD

Dr. Jared Soundy is assistant professor of artificial intelligence at Dakota State University. He teaches several AI and software engineering courses, covering topics such as the mathematics of AI, professional applications and ethics of AI, software engineering, and software engineering management.

Dr. Soundy’s research is focused on understanding to what degree learning AI (or subsymbolic AI) can simulate search AI (or symbolic AI) behavior. He has a background in computational game theory, symbolic execution, computational complexity, and software engineering and testing. Dr. Soundy earned his PhD in computer science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: What do you wish more people knew about software engineering and AI?

Dr. Soundy: In many ways software engineering and AI are changing incredibly rapidly. In other ways, they are not. Large Language Models (LLMs) can often write sections of code better than I can, but still struggle with the big picture. Furthermore, the peopleware fundamentals in software engineering haven’t changed. You still need to talk to your customer, find out what solution they need (not what they ask for), and deliver it. The same parallel holds in AI. There have been incredible advancements in the learning side of AI, yet at the same time the symbolic/logical side of AI has an NP-Hard wall that we can’t get through. Powerful LLMs don’t make reasoning and planning problems suddenly easy.

OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: Do you have any advice for new and aspiring software engineers interested in AI?

Dr. Soundy: It’s tempting to join the optimists (e.g. AI will fundamentally revolutionize everything about software engineering) or the pessimists (e.g. AI is overhyped and delivers fragile code). The truth is likely in between. I recommend that students keep developing software, try out new AI tools, and see what works and what doesn’t so that they can be a balanced voice in the conversation.

OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com: What does the future of software engineering and AI look like to you?

Dr. Soundy: Roughly speaking AI and AI-in-software-engineering are driven by two things: algorithm advancement, and Moore’s law. You should pause reading this and go take a look at Rich Sutton’s Bitter Lesson. By “algorithm advancement” I mean what Sutton refers to as advancement of “general methods” such as the transformer architecture. In the long term, AI advancement needs both algorithm advancement and Moore’s law. I doubt we would be having the current AI boom if the cost of computation was still at 2000s levels. Likewise, without the transformer architecture, specifically attention, we would not have LLMs.

With that stated, there are a few possible worlds:

Major innovations in algorithm advancement and Moore’s Law dry up today
- My predictions:
  - Minor innovations still give us progress for 5 to 20 years.
  - The software engineering field learns what works and what doesn’t. Best practices are established.
  - A new normal is reached in software engineering and society as a whole.
Moore’s law continues, but major AI algorithm advancement stalls.
- My predictions:
  - AI becomes cheaper-to-use/commoditized. Even though large companies with big data centers can still host larger AI models than those with fewer resources, there is a diminishing return so the advantage that comes with scale lessens.
  - Because AI advancement stalls, the latest greatest AI techniques become more and more open source. Not only available to companies with research/development teams to implement the latest developments.
  - Everything from my previous prediction holds true, but AI progress continues a bit further because applications/research is cheaper.
  - AI touches more of society, because it is more affordable/practical.
Major AI algorithm advancement continues, but Moore’s law dies.
- My predictions:
  - New AI innovations are continually developed. Companies that have quality research/development teams are able to: 1) utilize the latest techniques with their models 2) develop their own in-house techniques.
  - AI becomes cheaper-to-use, but this is driven by algorithms instead of Moore’s Law. We don’t have more powerful computers, but we know how to use our computers more efficiently.
  - AI keeps doing new exciting things.
  - A new normal is probably not reached.
  - Still there probably are heights of AI that we are oblivious to, simply because we don’t have the computational power to reach them.
Both Moore’s law and major AI algorithm advancement continues.
- My predictions:
  - Certainly the most exciting and unpredictable world.
  - On one-hand a high-end consumer phone could perhaps host a frontier AI model of today by the late 2030s or 2040s?
  - On the other-hand perhaps newer models perform so much better than no one would want to run a “dumb” 2026 frontier model.

While that’s a longer answer than you might’ve expected, it’s fun to think about possible worlds!

Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Engineering in SD

A majority of engineering positions require candidates to have at least a bachelor’s degree in the field. Here is one program from an SD-based institution that can be pursued online:

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Dakota State University

Dakota State University’s bachelor of science in computer science prepares students to develop computing systems and software that power today’s digital environments. The curriculum blends core theoretical foundations with extensive hands-on experience, covering areas such as algorithms, systems design, software engineering, and specialization options including artificial intelligence & machine learning or software engineering.

The program’s alignment with industry-recognized computing standards through ABET accreditation ensures that graduates possess skills that employers value in roles such as software developer, systems analyst, data engineer, or related technical positions. The department also encourages experiences like internships, undergraduate research, and double-major opportunities to deepen practical expertise and career readiness.

Location: Madison, SD
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Expected Time to Completion: 4 years

Online Master’s Degrees in Engineering in SD

A master’s degree can help engineers further develop their skills and attain a higher degree of specialization. Graduate studies can also enhance an engineer’s employability, salary prospects, and management opportunities. Here are three online master’s degrees in engineering-related fields from SD-based schools.

Master of Science in Engineering Management – South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology’s master of science in engineering management is designed for engineering professionals aiming to bridge technical expertise with organizational leadership and strategic decision-making. Coursework spans economics, project planning and control, forecasting, safety, and labor relations. The program cultivates skills in operations and management that are essential for roles like project manager, engineering lead, or operations director.

Students can choose between a thesis or non-thesis track, with the non-thesis option emphasizing advanced coursework and a capstone project; this flexibility allows the degree to accommodate both research-oriented and practice-focused career paths. Delivery formats include on-campus, live online, or asynchronous participation, making the curriculum accessible to working professionals and those who need scheduling flexibility.

Location: Rapid City, SD
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Expected Time to Completion: Two years

Master of Science in Construction Engineering and Management – South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology’s master of science in construction engineering and management (MSCEM) is a professionally oriented graduate program built to prepare students for leadership and managerial roles within the construction industry. The curriculum balances technical construction engineering competencies with project management acumen, covering topics such as contracts, estimating, project scheduling, performance management, and leadership from an industry-aligned perspective.

Offered as a non-thesis degree, the MSCEM program is intentionally flexible: students may complete coursework fully online or attend on campus, with options for streamed or recorded participation to accommodate varied schedules. An accelerated master’s pathway is also available for eligible students who wish to integrate advanced study with earlier academic progression.

Career trajectories for graduates often include positions like construction project manager, estimator, operations manager, sustainability manager, or roles in real estate and infrastructure sectors.

Location: Rapid City, SD
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Expected Time to Completion: 2 years

Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence – Dakota State University

Dakota State University’s master of science in artificial intelligence (MSAI) is designed to give graduates the type of advanced knowledge that’s essential for excelling in the rapidly growing AI sector. The curriculum covers the core foundations of AI: computer science, mathematics, statistics, and AI models and frameworks. Specializations are available in data and digital intelligence, cybersecurity, and biomechanics. Notably, Dakota State University is a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, Cyber Operations, and Research. Students can complete the MSAI program either online or on-campus (though the biomechanics specialization is only available on-campus).

Location: Madison, SD
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Expected Time to Completion: Two years

Other Online Engineering Programs in SD

In addition to South Dakota’s online bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, there are also distance-based programs in the state for engineering and IT professionals. Here’s one:

Associate Degree in Software Development – Dakota State University

Dakota State University offers an online associate degree in software development. The program can be taken on campus or online. Students learn the basics of how to design, develop, test, and deliver software or web apps. Students can then continue their education with a bachelor of science in computer science, software engineering, or other fields. Courses include web application programming, database management systems, computer science, and information security fundamentals among others.

Recognized by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for its quality, the program also incorporates security-focused practices and principles relevant to real-world applications. Graduates leave prepared for roles in application development, database programming, software engineering support, and related IT functions.

Location: Madison, SD
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Expected Time to Completion: Two years

Online Engineering Programs – What to Consider

As aspiring engineers, the positive job outlook and high salaries in engineering are a big draw. Before enrolling in distance-based education in SD, however, students should consider the following:

What is the cost of the program?
Are there scholarships available to online students?
Do online students have in-state status?
What are the admission requirements?
Are there prerequisites to complete first?
Does the student thrive as an independent learner?
Is the program authorized to operate in South Dakota?
Is the program part-time or full-time and is there a time limit for completion?
Are there any on-campus requirements?
Are thesis papers or other large projects involved?

Additionally, prospective students should determine the accreditation and state authorization statuses of their programs.

Accreditation

To earn accreditation, colleges and universities must undergo an evaluation of their quality. Each accrediting organization has their own standards, but they generally gauge the services provided to students; the management of finances; the quality of the professors; the level of education offered; and other criteria. Having a degree from an accredited institution or program may be a prerequisite to receiving financial aid or qualifying for various credentials and employment.

Since not all accrediting organizations are the same, aspiring students should seek out programs that have been accredited by an organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education’s Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). In addition, students should understand that accreditation is available through different organizations on a national, regional, and programmatic level. The following includes a list of prominent organizations that accredit online engineering programs in South Dakota:

National accreditation

Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET)
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)

Regional accreditation

Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC)

Programmatic accreditation

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE)

State Authorization

Students in South Dakota are only eligible to enroll in online engineering programs that have been authorized to operate in South Dakota. Also, some online engineering programs in other states may not provide admissions to non-residents, or have differing tuition for residents and non-residents. Online students should carefully examine state policies (e.g., South Dakota State University) and be sure to contact admissions to ensure out-of-state eligibility.

Admissions Requirements for Online Engineering Programs

Admission requirements vary by state and institution. Engineering students must contact the specific programs of interest to learn the exact requirements and deadlines.

Typical admissions requirements for online engineering programs may include official SAT/ACT test scores for bachelor’s programs; GRE, GMAT or MAT scores for graduate programs; official high school (or undergraduate) transcripts with at least the minimum cumulative GPA, or a GED as defined; letters of recommendation; essays; completion of the FAFSA; completion of class prerequisites in math and science; and application fees.

Matt Zbrog

Matt Zbrog is a writer and researcher from Southern California. Since 2018, he’s written extensively about a wide range of engineering disciplines, with a particular focus on the potential impacts of major technological breakthroughs. His work largely centers around conversations with engineeri...

Jocelyn Blore

After graduating from UC Berkeley, Jocelyn traveled the world for five years as an English teacher and freelance writer. After stints in England, Japan, and Brazil, she settled in San Francisco and worked as a managing editor for a tech company. She’s recently become interested in the underrepr...