University of South Dakota
PublicVermillion, SD
University of South Dakota is a public mid-sized school in Vermillion, SD, enrolling about 5,439 undergraduates. University of South Dakota is not highly selective, admitting a majority of applicants, with an acceptance rate near 99%. Its highest-earning reported major is Health and Medical Administrative Services (Health Professions and Related Programs), where graduates report median earnings of $74,816/year four years out. On-campus housing isn't required, so many students live off campus.
Admissions
Test scores for the Fall 2025 entering class come from University of South Dakota's own 2025-26 Common Data Set: 2% submitted SAT scores, 58% submitted ACT scores.
Cost & outcomes
Out-of-state students pay $3,700 more per year in tuition and fees (1.4x the in-state rate).
New students from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming, and children of USD alumni, pay the in-state rate.
Tuition & fees are University of South Dakota's own published 2026-27 rates (source); other figures are from the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. 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
University of South Dakota 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 University of South Dakota's numbers?
Check your chances hereHow University of South Dakota weighs your application
From University of South Dakota's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?
See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what University of South Dakota 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 does University of South Dakota look for in applicants?
Per University of South Dakota's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates standardized test scores, rigor of secondary school record, class rank, academic GPA as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.
What is University of South Dakota's acceptance rate?
University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD admits approximately 99% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.
What SAT score do I need for University of South Dakota?
Per University of South Dakota's own 2025-26 Common Data Set, the middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1120–1290 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile, among students who submitted scores).
What ACT score do I need for University of South Dakota?
Per University of South Dakota's own 2025-26 Common Data Set, the middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 19–25 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile, among students who submitted scores).
How much does University of South Dakota cost?
University of South Dakota's total cost of attendance is reported at $24,422 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.
Does University of South Dakota offer reduced tuition for out-of-state students?
Yes -- University of South Dakota 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 University of South Dakota?
For 2026-27, University of South Dakota's tuition and required fees are $13,616 for out-of-state students and $9,916 for in-state students -- $3,700 more per year for out-of-state students. That's before financial aid, and room and board are extra.
Does University of South Dakota require students to live on campus?
No -- University of South Dakota doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.
Related reading
Similar colleges in SD
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD · 98% 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
Comparing University of South Dakota against another school?
Open the comparison view