University of South Dakota is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Vermillion, South Dakota. It enrolls 5,439 students (a large student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
61/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes59
Value47
Affordability33
Selectivity19
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 98.8%, University of South Dakota is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
98.8%
Open
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1125 – 1315
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
19 – 25
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether University of South Dakota is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Becoming less selective ↑
12.6 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending University of South Dakota isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $19,858 per year. That's below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$19,858
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
19%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
40%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$9,432
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$12,942
Room & Board (on-campus)
$10,356
Room & Board (off-campus)
$10,870
Books & Supplies
$1,000
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$4,948
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$6,280
Total Cost of Attendance
$24,422
Application fee: $20 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$14,921
$30,001 – $48,000
$15,942
$48,001 – $75,000
$18,540
$75,001 – $110,000
$21,202
Over $110,000
$22,193
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$3,50010%percentile
$6,37925%percentile
$23,592Medianpercentile
$27,00075%percentile
$34,85490%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $19,000
↓ $4,592
No Pell $15,750
↓ $7,842
Dependent students $17,500
↓ $6,092
Independent students $18,000
↓ $5,592
Female students $18,000
↓ $5,592
Male students $16,000
↓ $7,592
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $8,782, less than completers ($23,592), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
44% of full-time students who enrolled at University of South Dakota graduate within six years, and 80% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
44%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
80%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered University of South Dakota earn a median of $51,926 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$51,926
Earning > $25K
83%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$44,200
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$58,300
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$53,800
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$46,600
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$48,700
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $14,100, about 24% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
13.6 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 91% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
University of South Dakota is home to 5,439 students, a large student community.
Total Enrolled
5,439
Part-Time
12%
First-Generation
24%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 76.0%4,136
International 6.9%376
Hispanic 5.8%316
Other 4.8%263
Black 3.8%207
Asian 1.5%83
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at University of South Dakota. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Town: DistantVermillion, South Dakota
Housing
Partly residential2,128 beds available
Adult Learners
7%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
University of South Dakota offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
105 distinct programs across
23 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of South Dakota is 14:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
14:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$15,574
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$289M
Solid financial position
Avg Faculty Salary
$82,425
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
414 instructional faculty across 5 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
84
20%
$109,838
Associate Professors
89
21%
$87,216
Assistant Professors
112
27%
$80,984
Instructors
92
22%
$62,846
Lecturers
37
9%
$68,056
Pros & Cons of University of South Dakota
A quick at-a-glance summary of how University of South Dakota tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Reasonable class sizes
Solid post-graduation earnings
CONS
Below-average completion rate
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Best for:
Based on the data, University of South Dakota is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of South Dakota
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about University of South Dakota.
Is University of South Dakota hard to get into?
University of South Dakota has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 98.8%.
What is the acceptance rate at University of South Dakota?
University of South Dakota has an acceptance rate of 98.8%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for University of South Dakota?
The middle 50% of admitted students at University of South Dakota scored between 1125 and 1315 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for University of South Dakota?
The middle 50% of admitted students at University of South Dakota scored between 19 and 25 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does University of South Dakota cost?
The average net price after aid at University of South Dakota is $19,858 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is University of South Dakota worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $51,926 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $19,858 per year. That's roughly 2.6x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is University of South Dakota known for?
University of South Dakota is best known for its programs in Nursing, Mental Health Services, Psychology. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do University of South Dakota graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering University of South Dakota are $51,926, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is University of South Dakota accredited?
Yes. University of South Dakota is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend University of South Dakota?
University of South Dakota enrolls 5,439 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at University of South Dakota?
University of South Dakota graduates 44% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is University of South Dakota a public or private college?
University of South Dakota is a Public institution.
Where is University of South Dakota located?
University of South Dakota is located in Vermillion, South Dakota.
What programs does University of South Dakota offer?
University of South Dakota offers 105 distinct programs. The most popular include Nursing, Mental Health Services, Psychology.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at University of South Dakota?
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of South Dakota is 14:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in South Dakota
Other colleges in South Dakota share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
IT Administration
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