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University of South Dakota
Admission at University of South Dakota is close to open (98.8%), which shifts the homework to outcomes: check the $51,926 median earnings below before the application.
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University of South Dakota anchors the college town of Vermillion, SD, where the public campus and town largely share a footprint. International students are a visible presence here — 6.9% of undergraduates come from outside the U.S.
Its highest-earning path is Health and Medical Administrative Services, where graduates median $74,816 four years out. 18.7% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 5,439 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 79.3% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 1110 and 1330 — above the SD middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on University of South Dakota's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, University of South Dakota received 5,349 applications and admitted 5,293 (99%), with 1,359 enrolling.
University of South Dakota is test-optional: scores are considered when submitted but not required. The 1110–1330 range below describes admitted students who chose to submit — typically University of South Dakota's stronger testers — so treat it as the higher end of what gets in.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 570 | 610 | 650 |
| SAT Math | 540 | 585 | 680 |
| ACT Composite | 19 | 22 | 25 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How University of South Dakota compares
| University of South Dakota | South Dakota median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 98.8% | 84.6% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $9,432 | $10,077 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $51,926 | $51,926 | $53,781 |
Earnings data favors University of South Dakota: $51,926 median at year ten, versus $51,926 across South Dakota institutions.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $9,432 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $12,942. For non-residents, University of South Dakota's $12,942 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
At 5,439 undergrads, University of South Dakota is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
59.9% graduate within six years. Roughly 40% don't — ask a University of South Dakota tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at University of South Dakota
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $74,816 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $73,025 |
| Economics | $71,463 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $71,179 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $70,100 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $68,556 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $64,890 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | $64,104 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $64,069 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $61,518 |
| Political Science and Government | $61,362 |
| Biology, General | $58,099 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $58,046 |
| Marketing | $55,261 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $52,211 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $52,100 |
| Psychology, General | $50,993 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $50,306 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $50,270 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $46,034 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $45,415 |
| History | $45,096 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $43,945 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $31,155 |
Median earnings for these 24 University of South Dakota programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $51,926 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 25 additional University of South Dakota programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for University of South Dakota?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 1110–1330 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 98.8% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is University of South Dakota's acceptance rate?
99% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 5,293 admitted from 5,349 applicants.
How much does University of South Dakota cost?
In-state tuition is $9,432; out-of-state students pay $12,942. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do University of South Dakota graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $51,926 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in South Dakota
- South Dakota State University — 98.3% admitted
- Northern State University — 93% admitted
- Dakota State University — 88% admitted
- Black Hills State University — 96.3% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.