University of South Dakota Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
University of South Dakota is a public research university in Vermillion, South Dakota, serving roughly 5,439 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 98.78% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $51,926 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $9,432
- 2024 Average Net Price: $19,858 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 98.78% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 5,439 87.5% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 59.91%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 24.3%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 0.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 1.8% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 65.2%
- Average SAT Score: 1125
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 9,746
- Applicants (IPEDS): 5,349
- Room & Board: $10,356 annual estimate
University of South Dakota: what the data shows
Common questions about University of South Dakota, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is University of South Dakota?
University of South Dakota is located in Vermillion, SD (ZIP 57069-2390).
NCES locale classification: Town distant.
Is University of South Dakota public or private?
University of South Dakota is a Public institution.
How much does University of South Dakota cost?
Published tuition: $9,432 in-state, $12,942 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $19,858.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $14,921 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $15,942 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $18,540 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $21,202 |
| $110,001+ | $22,193 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $37,728.
How hard is it to get into University of South Dakota?
Admission rate: 98.78%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1125 and midpoint ACT 22.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is University of South Dakota?
Total enrollment: 5,439 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 9,746 students.
Graduate enrollment: 3,000 students.
About 88% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at University of South Dakota?
150%-time completion rate: 59.91%.
First-year retention: 79.3%.
What do graduates of University of South Dakota earn?
Median earnings: $46,290 six years after entry; $51,926 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $23,592.
18.66% of students receive Pell grants.
What is University of South Dakota known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business Administration and Management, General (195 completions)
- Computer and Information Sciences, General (138 completions)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (126 completions)
- Clinical/Medical Social Work (95 completions)
- Health Professions and Related Programs (90 completions)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (88 completions)
- Psychology, General (85 completions)
- Accounting (85 completions)
- Law (75 completions)
- Biomedical Sciences, General (68 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is University of South Dakota a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 98.78%; completion rate 59.91%; median earnings $51,926 at 10 years; net price $19,858. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$9,432
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at University of South Dakota was $9,432.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$19,858
2024 Value
In 2024 University of South Dakota had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $19,858.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$79,432 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$19,858 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$37,728 4-Year In-State Tuition
$51,768 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$10,356 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,000 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$20,788 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$83,152 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for University of South Dakota.
Financial Aid by Income Level
18.66% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
40.38% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at University of South Dakota was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for University of South Dakota in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $8,022 | $10,104 | $15,442 |
| 2014 | $8,022 | $10,794 | $16,129 |
| 2015 | $8,457 | $11,338 | $16,396 |
| 2016 | $8,457 | $11,688 | $17,078 |
| 2017 | $8,772 | $12,019 | $17,359 |
| 2018 | $9,061 | $12,425 | $18,075 |
| 2019 | $9,332 | $12,807 | $18,555 |
| 2020 | $9,332 | $12,807 | $19,389 |
| 2021 | $9,432 | $12,942 | $19,415 |
| 2022 | $9,432 | $12,942 | $19,499 |
| 2023 | $9,432 | $12,942 | $19,155 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
98.78% Acceptance Rate
5,349 Total Applicants
5,293 Students Admitted
1,359 First-Time Students Enrolled
25.68% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1125
ACT Average: 22
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
University of South Dakota reported total enrollment of about 5,439 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 36% male and 64% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (76.0%), Non-Resident Alien (6.9%), and Hispanic or Latino (5.8%). About 18.66% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 24.3% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
87.5% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at University of South Dakota in 2024 is 5,439 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 9,746 students. Graduate enrollment is about 3,000 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
79.3%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 76.0%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
47.35% 100% Completion Time
59.91% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 47.35% of students graduating from University of South Dakota completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 62% male / 38% female
- Computer and Information Sciences, General: 83% male / 17% female
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 12% male / 88% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for University of South Dakota.
Return on Investment
$23,592 Median Student Debt
$51,926 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
45.43% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
553.72% Return on Investment
4.5 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for University of South Dakota.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 85 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business Administration and Management, General: 195 completions
2. Computer and Information Sciences, General: 138 completions
3. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 126 completions
4. Clinical/Medical Social Work: 95 completions
5. Health Professions and Related Programs: 90 completions
6. Exercise Science and Kinesiology: 88 completions
7. Psychology, General: 85 completions
8. Accounting: 85 completions
9. Law: 75 completions
Most popular programs at University of South Dakota.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for University of South Dakota graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for University of South Dakota from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 65.2%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $9,264
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $11,862
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
University of South Dakota is a public institution located in Vermillion, SD, classified as Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business Administration and Management, General, Computer and Information Sciences, General, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse. Enrollment is approximately 5,439 students. Student body composition includes White (76.0%), Non-Resident Alien (6.9%), Hispanic or Latino (5.8%). The admission rate is 98.78%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1125. The 150%-time completion rate is 59.91%. Approximately 18.66% of students receive Pell Grants. About 24.3% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
Location
Vermillion, SD 57069-2390
Region: Plains
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 85 distinct degree programs, University of South Dakota provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is University of South Dakota located?
University of South Dakota is located in Vermillion, SD.
What is University of South Dakota's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at University of South Dakota is 98.8% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 5,349 applicants and 5,293 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does University of South Dakota cost?
Reported tuition is $9,432 and average net price is $19,858 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $10,356 annually.
What is the student body demographics at University of South Dakota?
University of South Dakota reports undergraduate enrollment of about 9,746 students, White (76.0%), Non-Resident Alien (6.9%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend University of South Dakota?
About 24.3% of students at University of South Dakota are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for University of South Dakota?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, University of South Dakota reports midpoint SAT about 1125 and midpoint ACT about 22.
What do graduates of University of South Dakota earn?
Median earnings are $46,290 six years after entry and $51,926 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at University of South Dakota?
The 150%-time completion rate is 59.9% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do University of South Dakota students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $23,592.
Is University of South Dakota public or private?
University of South Dakota is a public institution located in Vermillion, SD.
Is University of South Dakota an HBCU?
No. University of South Dakota is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is University of South Dakota a tribal college?
No. University of South Dakota is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- South Dakota college profile
- South Dakota college costs
- South Dakota colleges by ROI
- South Dakota State University vs University of South Dakota vs Dakota State University
- Plains regional profile
- Town college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in South Dakota
- South Dakota college costs
- South Dakota colleges by ROI
- South Dakota State University vs University of South Dakota vs Dakota State University
- Plains regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in South Dakota
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.