South Dakota State University
PublicBrookings, SD
South Dakota State University is a public large school in Brookings, SD, enrolling about 9,198 undergraduates. Admissions are not highly selective, admitting a majority of applicants here -- roughly 98% of applicants get in. Health Professions and Related Programs graduates, especially in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration, report the strongest earnings here: a median of $122,169/year. Most students arrange their own housing since on-campus living isn't required.
Admissions
Cost & outcomes
Out-of-state students pay $3,510 more per year in tuition and fees (1.4x the in-state rate).
From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field. Tuition & fees are the sticker price for a full-time first-year undergrad, before financial aid, and don't include room and board.
Paying less as an out-of-state student
South Dakota State University takes part in this regional program, which can cut the out-of-state rate for students from nearby states.
Western Undergraduate Exchange
Students from Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and the Pacific territories pay no more than 150% of in-state tuition. Each school sets its own requirements, often a GPA minimum, and some majors are left out.
Where do you stand against South Dakota State University's numbers?
Check your chances hereSee full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what South Dakota State University weighs in your application
Paying it back
"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.
Majors & earnings
Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.
Campus life
Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.
What matters in your application
From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.
Frequently asked questions
What is South Dakota State University's acceptance rate?
South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD admits approximately 98% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.
What SAT score do I need for South Dakota State University?
Admitted students at South Dakota State University typically score between 1060–1240 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).
What ACT score do I need for South Dakota State University?
Admitted students at South Dakota State University typically score between 19–25 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).
How much does South Dakota State University cost?
South Dakota State University's total cost of attendance is reported at $24,636 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.
Does South Dakota State University offer reduced tuition for out-of-state students?
Yes -- South Dakota State University takes part in the Western Undergraduate Exchange, a regional program that lets qualifying out-of-state students pay less than the full out-of-state rate. Eligibility depends on your home state, and the school sets its own requirements.
What is out-of-state tuition at South Dakota State University?
For 2024-25, South Dakota State University's published tuition and required fees were $12,809 for out-of-state students and $9,299 for in-state students -- $3,510 more per year for out-of-state students. That's before financial aid, and room and board are extra.
Does South Dakota State University require students to live on campus?
No -- South Dakota State University doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.
Related reading
Similar colleges in SD
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD · 99% admit rate
Black Hills State University
Spearfish, SD · 96% admit rate
Northern State University
Aberdeen, SD · 93% admit rate
Dakota State University
Madison, SD · 88% admit rate
University of Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls, SD · 83% admit rate
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Rapid City, SD · 80% admit rate
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