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Brookings , SD
South Dakota State University (SDSU) is a public research university located in Brookings, South Dakota. Established in 1881, it is the oldest university in the state and has grown to become the largest and most comprehensive higher education institution in South Dakota. SDSU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various fields including agriculture, engineering, nursing, education, business, and the liberal arts.
One of the notable aspects of SDSU is its strong emphasis on research and innovation. The university is classified as a research university with high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation, and its faculty members are engaged in cutting-edge research in areas such as health sciences, renewable energy, and food safety. SDSU also provides students with many research opportunities, allowing them to work alongside faculty members and gain hands-on experience in their chosen fields.
Beyond academics and research, SDSU offers a vibrant campus life with numerous student organizations, clubs, and athletic teams. The university's varsity sports teams are known as the Jackrabbits and compete in the NCAA Division I Summit League. Students can support their teams, attend various cultural and sporting events, or participate in intramural sports. The campus also features state-of-the-art facilities, including modern residence halls, a student center, a wellness center, and a performing arts center, ensuring students have access to the resources they need for a well-rounded college experience.
Overall, South Dakota State University is a prestigious institution that offers a diverse range of academic programs, research opportunities, and a vibrant campus life. With its commitment to innovation and research, SDSU provides students with a supportive environment for intellectual growth and development. Whether students are interested in pursuing a career in agriculture, engineering, or any other field, they can find a quality education and numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth at South Dakota State University.
South Dakota State University is a public four-year college located in Brookings, SD. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 98%. The freshman retention rate at South Dakota State University is 84% and the six-year graduation rate is 62%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is September 4. The transfer application deadline is September 4.
Here are some essential information on important things to consider about South Dakota State University.
Quick Facts
10,728
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
62%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to learn as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the institution in order to maximize your chances of being accepted. Here are the most vital data you need to know about admission policy and requirements at South Dakota State University.
According to the most recent data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 7,166 in 2025. South Dakota State University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores for the applicants who choose to submit them.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 2% and ACT scores 75%. 2.2% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 34.8% between 1,200 and 1,399, 47.8% between 1,000 and 1,199, 10.8% between 800 and 999, 2.2% of the students between 600 and 799, and 2.2% between 400 and 599. The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 5.7, 33.5 between 24-29, 46.8 in the range between 18-23, 13.9 between 12-17, and 0.1 between 6-11.
The average ACT score for all the accepted students in 2025 was 22 and the average GPA was 3.57. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into South Dakota State University; the same goes for your ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 566 and an average SAT Math score of 576.
Deadlines
The last day for submitting applications to South Dakota State University is September 4. For transfer students, note that the application deadline is September 4.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for South Dakota State University was 84%, which is considered an above-average retention rate and is indicative of the quality of educational experience at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It provides valuable insight into the percentage of students who complete their studies within a designated timeframe. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 62%.
Student Body
Choosing a school that is the right place for you is not a simple task. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better idea of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at South Dakota State University in 2025 was 12,065.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 60.5. There was a total of 10,728 students working towards bachelor's degrees, including 387 international students. 493 students were admitted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 4,012 male and 4,641 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 121, while the number of African American students was 133. 275 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 192 identified with more than one race. The school also had 11 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 67 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 268 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you submit an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about South Dakota State University estimated tuition costs.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $7,998 for area residents. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $11,610 in 2025. For international students, tuition fees at this school stood at $11,610, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students came to a total of $1,556 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $11,610 | $1,556 | $13,166 |
| In-State | $7,998 | $1,556 | $9,554 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to take into account the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. Most students have to spend about $810 for books and supplies during their time at South Dakota State University.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What do colleges and universities typically charge for room and board?
In 2025, room and board cost at South Dakota State University amounted to $10,648 a year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school came to $5,644, according to the data from 2025.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 7,998 |
| Room and Board | $ 10,648 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 810 |
| Total Expense | $ 19,456 |
Financial Aid
Financial support for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. If you want to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at South Dakota State University, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 942 freshmen. Students of this school received an average of $12,408 in financial help.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet other eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
3,383 students acquired some form of need-based financial aid. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 3,428. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution added up to $12,996,988, and state $1,082,051. The students of South Dakota State University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $6,637,874, and external in the amount of $3,108,629.
$2,816
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 325 students overall (including freshmen) at South Dakota State University in 2025. 111 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $12,996,988 while the state aid is $351,592. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $10,365,283. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $4,456,415 USD.
Majors
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some information about students' life at South Dakota State University.
Its campus is 401 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists only of current students and/or alumni.
Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. If you are interested in music, you can join the South Dakota State University band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. Interested in media and communication? South Dakota State University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
South Dakota State University has a number of services vital for a comfortable and secure life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of South Dakota State University.
All in all, campus life at South Dakota State University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at South Dakota State University.
Career Counselling
At South Dakota State University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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South Dakota State University is located in Brookings, SD.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for South Dakota State University is 98%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for South Dakota State University is 84%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.