South Dakota State Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
South Dakota State University is a public research university in Brookings, South Dakota, serving roughly 9,198 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 98.34% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $55,070 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $9,299
- 2024 Average Net Price: $19,841 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 98.34% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 9,198 88.3% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 62.35%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 20.2%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 0.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 0.5% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 80.7%
- Average SAT Score: 1120
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 12,489
- Applicants (IPEDS): 5,884
- Room & Board: $10,176 annual estimate
South Dakota State University: what the data shows
Common questions about South Dakota State University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is South Dakota State University?
South Dakota State University is located in Brookings, SD (ZIP 57007-1898).
NCES locale classification: Town remote.
Is South Dakota State University public or private?
South Dakota State University is a Public institution.
How much does South Dakota State University cost?
Published tuition: $9,299 in-state, $12,809 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $19,841.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $14,266 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $15,248 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $18,073 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $20,706 |
| $110,001+ | $21,886 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $37,196.
How hard is it to get into South Dakota State University?
Admission rate: 98.34%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1120 and midpoint ACT 22.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is South Dakota State University?
Total enrollment: 9,198 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 12,489 students.
Graduate enrollment: 1,337 students.
About 88% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at South Dakota State University?
150%-time completion rate: 62.35%.
First-year retention: 83.8%.
What do graduates of South Dakota State University earn?
Median earnings: $49,564 six years after entry; $55,070 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $23,250.
16.82% of students receive Pell grants.
What is South Dakota State University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (354 completions)
- Business/Managerial Economics (155 completions)
- General Studies (97 completions)
- Animal Sciences, General (96 completions)
- 00.0010 (82 completions)
- Mechanical Engineering (81 completions)
- Biomedical Sciences, General (80 completions)
- Psychology, General (77 completions)
- Civil Engineering, General (67 completions)
- Human Development and Family Studies, General (64 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is South Dakota State University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 98.34%; completion rate 62.35%; median earnings $55,070 at 10 years; net price $19,841. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$9,299
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at South Dakota State University was $9,299.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$19,841
2024 Value
In 2024 South Dakota State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $19,841.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$79,364 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$19,841 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$37,196 4-Year In-State Tuition
$51,236 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$10,176 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$750 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$20,225 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$80,900 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for South Dakota State University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
16.82% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
42.61% 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 South Dakota State University 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 South Dakota State University 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 | $7,713 | $9,795 | $15,538 |
| 2014 | $7,713 | $10,485 | $16,152 |
| 2015 | $8,172 | $11,053 | $21,762 |
| 2016 | $8,172 | $11,403 | $21,070 |
| 2017 | $8,441 | $11,689 | $19,415 |
| 2018 | $8,764 | $12,128 | $19,503 |
| 2019 | $9,114 | $12,589 | $19,252 |
| 2020 | $9,200 | $12,675 | $18,578 |
| 2021 | $9,299 | $12,809 | $18,402 |
| 2022 | $9,299 | $12,809 | $18,125 |
| 2023 | $9,299 | $12,809 | $18,219 |
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
98.34% Acceptance Rate
5,884 Total Applicants
5,808 Students Admitted
2,274 First-Time Students Enrolled
39.15% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1120
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
South Dakota State University reported total enrollment of about 9,198 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 46% male and 54% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (84.2%), Non-Resident Alien (4.2%), and Hispanic or Latino (3.0%). About 16.82% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 20.2% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
88.3% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at South Dakota State University in 2024 is 9,198 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 12,489 students. Graduate enrollment is about 1,337 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
83.8%
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 84.2%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
46.04% 100% Completion Time
62.35% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 46.04% of students graduating from South Dakota State University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 13% male / 87% female
- Business/Managerial Economics: 65% male / 35% female
- General Studies: 55% male / 45% 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 South Dakota State University.
Return on Investment
$23,250 Median Student Debt
$55,070 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
42.22% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
593.89% Return on Investment
4.2 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for South Dakota State University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 110 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 354 completions
2. Business/Managerial Economics: 155 completions
3. General Studies: 97 completions
4. Animal Sciences, General: 96 completions
5. 00.0010: 82 completions
6. Mechanical Engineering: 81 completions
7. Biomedical Sciences, General: 80 completions
8. Psychology, General: 77 completions
9. Civil Engineering, General: 67 completions
Most popular programs at South Dakota State University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for South Dakota State University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for South Dakota State University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 80.7%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $10,231
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $10,257
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
South Dakota State University is a public institution located in Brookings, SD, classified as Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Business/Managerial Economics, General Studies. Enrollment is approximately 9,198 students. Student body composition includes White (84.2%), Non-Resident Alien (4.2%), Hispanic or Latino (3.0%). The admission rate is 98.34%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1120. The 150%-time completion rate is 62.35%. Approximately 16.82% of students receive Pell Grants. About 20.2% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
Location
Brookings, SD 57007-1898
Region: Plains
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 110 distinct degree programs, South Dakota State University 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 South Dakota State University located?
South Dakota State University is located in Brookings, SD.
What is South Dakota State University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at South Dakota State University is 98.3% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 5,884 applicants and 5,808 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does South Dakota State University cost?
Reported tuition is $9,299 and average net price is $19,841 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $10,176 annually.
What is the student body demographics at South Dakota State University?
South Dakota State University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 12,489 students, White (84.2%), Non-Resident Alien (4.2%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend South Dakota State University?
About 20.2% of students at South Dakota State University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for South Dakota State University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, South Dakota State University reports midpoint SAT about 1120 and midpoint ACT about 22.
What do graduates of South Dakota State University earn?
Median earnings are $49,564 six years after entry and $55,070 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at South Dakota State University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 62.4% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do South Dakota State University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $23,250.
Is South Dakota State University public or private?
South Dakota State University is a public institution located in Brookings, SD.
Is South Dakota State University an HBCU?
No. South Dakota State University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is South Dakota State University a tribal college?
No. South Dakota State University 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.