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University of South Dakota

Public

Vermillion, SD

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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

Admit rate99%
SAT range1125–1315
ACT range19–25
Undergrads5,439
Yield (admits who enroll)30%
Next deadlineNot reported

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$24,422
4-year grad rate61%
Median earnings, 10yr out$51,926

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

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How 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?

Academic factors
Rigor of secondary school recordVery important
Class rankVery important
Academic GPAVery important
Standardized test scoresVery important
Application essayConsidered
RecommendationsConsidered
Nonacademic factors
InterviewConsidered
Extracurricular activitiesNot considered
Talent/abilityNot considered
Character/personal qualitiesNot considered
First generationNot considered
Alumni relation (legacy)Not considered
Geographical residenceNot considered
State residencyNot considered
Religious affiliationNot considered
Volunteer workNot considered
Work experienceNot considered
Level of interest (demonstrated interest)Not considered
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Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans40%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out69%

"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

Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biology, General$58,099/yr
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Accounting and Related Services$71,179/yr
Finance and Financial Management Services$70,100/yr
Business Administration, Management and Operations$64,890/yr
Marketing$55,261/yr
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Communication and Media Studies$52,100/yr
Education
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$50,270/yr
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$46,034/yr
Special Education and Teaching$45,415/yr
English Language and Literature/Letters
English Language and Literature, General$31,155/yr
Health Professions and Related Programs
Health and Medical Administrative Services$74,816/yr
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$73,025/yr
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions$68,556/yr
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services$64,069/yr
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General$61,518/yr
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions$52,211/yr
History
History$45,096/yr
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services
Criminal Justice and Corrections$58,046/yr
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$50,306/yr
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies$64,104/yr
Psychology
Psychology, General$50,993/yr
Social Sciences
Economics$71,463/yr
Political Science and Government$61,362/yr
Visual and Performing Arts
Fine and Studio Arts$43,945/yr

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

On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusNo
Dormitory capacity2,128
Typical room charge$4,454
Typical board charge$4,150

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

GPAConsidered, not required
Class rankConsidered, not required
RecommendationsConsidered, not required

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?

Admitted students at University of South Dakota typically score between 1125–1315 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).

What ACT score do I need for University of South Dakota?

Admitted students at University of South Dakota typically score between 19–25 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).

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 require students to live on campus?

No -- University of South Dakota doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.

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