Overview of the University of South Dakota

The University of South Dakota is a public institution situated on a 274-acre campus in Vermillion. The institution has a large selection of 132 undergraduate and graduate degree programs for students to select from. Students are backed by a 16 to 1 healthy student/faculty ratio, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s 120 clubs and organizations. The University of South Dakota Coyotes play in the NCAA Division I Summit League.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 10,066 (7,590 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 37% Male/63% Female
• 65% Full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $9,332 (in-state); $12,807 (out-of-state)
• Books: $1,200
• Room and Board: $8,409
• Other Expenses: $4,379
• Total Cost: $23,320 (in-state); $26,795 (out-of-state)

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 95%
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 78%
  • Loans: 70%
• Mean Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $5,302
  • Loans: $6,533

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Accounting, Biology, Business Administration, Contemporary Media/Journalism, Criminal Justice, Dental Hygiene, Elementary Education, Psychology

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 77%
• Transfer Out Rate: 29%
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 40%
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 58%

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Basketball, Football, Golf, Swimming and Diving, Track and Field
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Volleyball

Overview of the University of South Dakota Admissions

Students whose SAT/ACT scores and GPA are within the institution’s requirements have a good chance of being admitted. Applicants must complete an online application and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the admissions offices mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the application process’s next steps.

Admissions Data

• University of South Dakota Acceptance Rate: 86%
• Test Scores — 25th/75th Percentile
  • SAT Critical Reading: 520/620
  • SAT Math: 510/640
  • SAT Writing: -/-
  • ACT Cumulative: 20/25
  • ACT English: 18/24
  • ACT Math: 18/25
  • ACT Writing: -/-

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for the University of South Dakota, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If the University of South Dakota is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

East Carolina University, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Texas State University, Georgia State University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Liberty University

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for the University of South Dakota, you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

Ohio University, University of North Texas, University of Texas at Arlington, California State University Long Beach, San Jose State University, Pace University, Florida Gulf Coast University

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than the University of South Dakota. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

United States Military Academy, Penn State University Park, University of Cincinnati, Hofstra University, Temple University, Auburn University, Seton Hall University

Applying to the University of South Dakota

Application Deadline: Rolling

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://www.usd.edu/admissions/freshmen

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://www.usd.edu/admissions/apply

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://www.usd.edu/graduate-school      

Graduate Application Link(s):

https://www.usd.edu/graduate-school/apply-now