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South Dakota State University

South Dakota State University is based in the town of Brookings, SD — a public campus in a small-town setting. The federal record identifies it as a land-grant institution.

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What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

family-income band

$12,517

family income
under $30k

$14,297

$30–48k

$17,811

$48–75k

$19,424

$75–110k

$20,048

over $110k

Average net price

$19,8412023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at South Dakota State University rose from $12,882 (2008) to $19,841 (2023).

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$12,882
2009	$13,137
2010	$13,627
2011	$14,648
2012	$15,538
2013	$16,152
2014	$21,762
2015	$21,070
2016	$19,415
2017	$19,503
2018	$19,252
2019	$18,578
2020	$18,402
2021	$18,125
2022	$18,219
2023	$19,841

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$24,6362024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at South Dakota State University rose from $15,470 (2009) to $24,636 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$15,470
2010	$16,195
2011	$16,960
2012	$17,697
2013	$18,547
2014	$19,330
2015	$24,820
2016	$25,761
2017	$22,410
2018	$22,609
2019	$22,858
2020	$22,230
2021	$22,303
2022	$22,447
2023	$22,761
2024	$24,636

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition (in-state vs out-of-state)

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition — data
Year	In-state	Out-of-state
2000	$3,590	$7,806
2001	$3,634	$8,063
2002	$4,088	$8,621
2003	$4,538	$9,563
2004	$4,802	$9,969
2005	$5,046	$10,366
2006	$5,052	$6,243
2007	$5,373	$6,611
2008	$5,808	$7,143
2013	$7,713	$9,795
2014	$7,713	$10,485
2015	$8,172	$11,053
2016	$8,172	$11,403
2017	$8,441	$11,689
2018	$8,764	$12,128
2019	$9,114	$12,589
2020	$9,200	$12,675
2021	$9,299	$12,809
2022	$9,299	$12,809
2023	$9,299	$12,809

IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

South Dakota State University reports published tuition by residency: $9,299 in-state versus $12,809 out-of-state — a $3,510 gap that makes state lines part of the decision. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

South Dakota State University reports 9,198 undergraduate students. Enrollment is a headcount, not a measure of teaching access.

62.4% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at South Dakota State University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart

62.4%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at South Dakota State University rose from 53.8% (entered 1991) to 62.4% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	53.8%
1992 cohort	52.8%
1993 cohort	53%
1994 cohort	52.1%
1995 cohort	52%
1996 cohort	54.8%
1997 cohort	53.3%
1998 cohort	54.4%
1999 cohort	54%
2000 cohort	52.8%
2001 cohort	52.8%
2002 cohort	51.4%
2003 cohort	53.4%
2004 cohort	53.7%
2005 cohort	58.7%
2006 cohort	55.1%
2007 cohort	55.7%
2008 cohort	56.9%
2009 cohort	54.1%
2010 cohort	53%
2011 cohort	54.9%
2012 cohort	56.3%
2013 cohort	56.2%
2014 cohort	58.9%
2015 cohort	59.6%
2016 cohort	59.3%
2017 cohort	59.6%
2018 cohort	62.4%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

key chart

Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)	$13,128	$3,249
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)	$13,405	$2,666
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)	$13,125	$2,625
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)	$13,374	$2,625
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)	$13,625	$3,162
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)	$13,578	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)	$14,248	$2,625
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)	$15,125	$2,625
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)	$16,000	$3,312
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)	$16,945	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)	$17,029	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)	$17,125	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)	$18,500	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$21,000	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$22,780	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$23,539	$6,606
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$24,750	$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$25,000	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$25,000	$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$25,000	$7,624
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$24,250	$8,250
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$23,502	$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$23,250	$8,250
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$23,250	$8,250

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$49,564

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$52,417

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$55,070

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

South Dakota State University admitted 7,166 of 7,287 applicants in Fall 2024. The 98.3% rate describes that application pool.

98.3%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $9,299 in-state tuition · 2023–24 9,198 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024

400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 1060–12401600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

South Dakota State University reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For South Dakota State University’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 530–610 and Math was 530–630 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 1060–1240 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score	25th	50th	75th
SAT Reading & Writing	530	570	610
SAT Math	530	560	630
ACT Composite	19	22	25

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

In the Fall 2024 cycle, South Dakota State University received 7,287 applications and admitted 7,166 (98.3%), with 2,441 enrolling.

Acceptance rate

98.3%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	94.4%
Fall 2002	94%
Fall 2003	93.5%
Fall 2004	92.3%
Fall 2005	92.7%
Fall 2006	93.9%
Fall 2007	94.1%
Fall 2008	93.1%
Fall 2009	93.5%
Fall 2010	91.3%
Fall 2011	92.3%
Fall 2012	91.7%
Fall 2013	91.9%
Fall 2014	92%
Fall 2015	91.7%
Fall 2016	90.8%
Fall 2017	91.4%
Fall 2018	92.4%
Fall 2019	90%
Fall 2020	88.9%
Fall 2021	87.4%
Fall 2022	86.1%
Fall 2023	98.7%
Fall 2024	98.3%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

1060–1240Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2012	880	1110
Fall 2013	900	1190
Fall 2014	890	1170
Fall 2015	900	1160
Fall 2016	890	1160
Fall 2017	980	1260
Fall 2018	1010	1260
Fall 2019	1050	1260
Fall 2020	1000	1300
Fall 2021	980	1220
Fall 2022	1020	1245
Fall 2023	1040	1300
Fall 2024	1060	1240

IPEDS Fall 2012–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

19–25Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	19	24
Fall 2002	19	25
Fall 2003	19	25
Fall 2004	20	25
Fall 2005	20	25
Fall 2006	20	25
Fall 2007	20	25
Fall 2008	20	25
Fall 2009	20	26
Fall 2010	20	25
Fall 2011	19	25
Fall 2012	20	25
Fall 2013	20	25
Fall 2014	20	26
Fall 2015	20	26
Fall 2016	20	26
Fall 2017	20	26
Fall 2018	20	26
Fall 2019	19	26
Fall 2020	20	26
Fall 2021	19	25
Fall 2022	19	25
Fall 2023	19	26
Fall 2024	19	25

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

9,198Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at South Dakota State University rose from 7,835 (Fall 2002) to 9,198 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	7,835
Fall 2003	8,447
Fall 2004	8,743
Fall 2005	8,752
Fall 2006	9,003
Fall 2007	9,353
Fall 2008	9,516
Fall 2009	9,786
Fall 2010	10,206
Fall 2011	10,210
Fall 2012	10,043
Fall 2013	10,048
Fall 2014	10,003
Fall 2015	9,825
Fall 2016	9,767
Fall 2017	9,704
Fall 2018	9,314
Fall 2019	9,034
Fall 2020	8,908
Fall 2021	8,651
Fall 2022	8,627
Fall 2023	8,798
Fall 2024	9,198

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

84%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at South Dakota State University rose from 75% (Fall 2003) to 84% (Fall 2023).

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2003 cohort	75%
Fall 2004 cohort	74%
Fall 2005 cohort	77%
Fall 2006 cohort	77%
Fall 2007 cohort	77%
Fall 2008 cohort	78%
Fall 2009 cohort	77%
Fall 2010 cohort	73%
Fall 2011 cohort	75%
Fall 2012 cohort	76%
Fall 2013 cohort	77%
Fall 2014 cohort	76%
Fall 2015 cohort	79%
Fall 2016 cohort	77%
Fall 2017 cohort	76%
Fall 2018 cohort	78%
Fall 2019 cohort	81%
Fall 2020 cohort	80%
Fall 2021 cohort	79%
Fall 2022 cohort	83%
Fall 2023 cohort	84%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2003–2023

More about South Dakota State University

Faculty pay at South Dakota State University averages $122,772 a year, annualized from reported monthly pay. Carnegie classes South Dakota State University as a primarily residential campus of 9,198 undergraduates — and 83.8% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

South Dakota State University's SAT section-percentile sums are 1060–1240 — their midpoint is below the SD four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on South Dakota State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How South Dakota State University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

South Dakota State University98.3%

South Dakota median84.6%

National median76.8%

Tuition (in-state)

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

South Dakota State University$9,299

South Dakota median$10,077

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

South Dakota State University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

South Dakota State University$55,070

South Dakota median$51,926

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

South Dakota State University, South Dakota and national reference values
Metric & basis	South Dakota State University	South Dakota median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	98.3%	84.6%	76.8%
Tuition (in-state)Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$9,299	$10,077	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$55,070	$51,926	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For South Dakota State University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

South Dakota State University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 39 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration	$122,169
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering	$103,018
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician	$93,195
Mechanical Engineering	$87,704
Computer and Information Sciences, General	$83,815
Civil Engineering	$82,486
Agricultural Engineering	$79,322
Plant Sciences	$78,494
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing	$77,932
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions	$73,360
Political Science and Government	$70,727
Agricultural Mechanization	$67,746
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication	$67,607
Agricultural Business and Management	$67,425
Mathematics	$67,059
Economics	$64,432
Architecture	$63,978
Agriculture, General	$61,132
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities	$60,081
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics	$57,986
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations	$57,725
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness	$56,400
Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies	$56,132
Communication and Media Studies	$55,345
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services	$54,646
Biology, General	$54,446
Animal Sciences	$53,784
Design and Applied Arts	$52,630
Sociology	$51,910
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management	$50,623
Natural Resources Conservation and Research	$50,420
English Language and Literature, General	$50,335
Psychology, General	$50,210
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas	$50,076
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management	$48,319
History	$46,502
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services	$46,487
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods	$43,934
Hospitality Administration/Management	$40,969

These 39 fields listed for South Dakota State University measure earnings after completion. The $55,070 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 40 additional South Dakota State University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does South Dakota State University report?

South Dakota State University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 1060–1240 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is South Dakota State University's acceptance rate?

98.3% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 7,166 admitted from 7,287 applicants.

How much does South Dakota State University cost?

In-state tuition is $9,299; out-of-state students pay $12,809. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.

What earnings data does South Dakota State University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $55,070. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in South Dakota

Northern State University — 93% admitted
University of South Dakota — 98.8% admitted
Dakota State University — 88% admitted
Black Hills State University — 96.3% admitted

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.