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University of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD
Founded in 1862, the University of South Dakota (USD) is a public research university located in Vermillion, South Dakota. With a rich history and a commitment to academic excellence, USD offers a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines. The university prides itself on providing an inclusive and supportive learning environment that fosters the personal and professional growth of its students. USD boasts state-of-the-art facilities and a vibrant campus life, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a well-rounded educational experience.
At USD, students have access to a wide array of academic programs and majors, including business, arts and sciences, education, health sciences, law, and fine arts. The university offers over 200 majors and minors, giving students the opportunity to tailor their education to their unique interests and career goals. With a world-class faculty known for their expertise and commitment to teaching, students at USD receive a top-notch education that combines theory and practical experience.
Beyond academics, USD also provides numerous opportunities for student engagement and involvement. The university has over 150 student organizations, including clubs, honor societies, athletic teams, and professional societies, ensuring that students can find their niche and pursue their passions outside of the classroom. Additionally, USD's NCAA Division I athletic teams, known as the Coyotes, compete in various sports and are a source of pride for the university community. With a picturesque campus nestled along the banks of the Missouri River, students also have access to beautiful outdoor spaces that provide a tranquil backdrop for relaxation and recreation.
Overall, the University of South Dakota offers a well-rounded educational experience that combines rigorous academics, diverse programs, and a vibrant campus community. With a commitment to student success and a focus on providing a supportive and inclusive environment, USD prepares its graduates for success in their professional careers and in life. Whether a student seeks a degree in business, fine arts, health sciences, or any other discipline, USD provides the resources and opportunities necessary to thrive academically and personally.
Located in Vermillion, SD, University of South Dakota is a public university. This school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 98%. The freshman retention rate at University of South Dakota is 80.15% and the six-year graduation rate is 61%.
To find out more about what University of South Dakota has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
7,095
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
98%
Acceptance Rate
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
61%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you discover as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will significantly increase. How difficult is it to get admitted to University of South Dakota and what are the admission requirements?
According to the most recent information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 5,321 in 2024.
Test Scores
2.19% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 73.01% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 6.67% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 50% between 1,200 and 1,399, 36.67% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 6.67% of the students between 800 and 999. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 6.71, 34.07 between 24-29, 44.19 in the range between 18-23, 14.93 between 12-17, and 0.1 between 6-11.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.51. Therefore, the chances are that you'll need a GPA higher than the average for acceptance,.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
As reported in 2024, the freshman retention rate for University of South Dakota was 80.15%, a clear indication of the excellence and value of the educational experience at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This rate shows how many students complete their degrees in a certain number of years. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 61%.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the best choice for you. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by learning more about its student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at University of South Dakota in 2024 was 9,868.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 40.04% for that year. There was a total of 7,095 those pursuing undergraduate studies, including 191 international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 310.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 2,303 male and 3,842 female full-time students in 2024. 665 full-time graduate men and 800 full-time graduate women attended this school.
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. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at University of South Dakota.
This school had 70 Asian students and 197 Afro-American students in 2024. 300 undergrads at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 157 identified with more than one race. The school also had 1 student who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 86 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 63 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to think about before applying to any college or university. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for University of South Dakota is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
For local residents, public county and municipal institutions reported that tuition costs were $7,773. Tuition fees were $11,283 for students coming from out of state. For international students, tuition fees at this school stood at $11,283, as well. Full-time students in 2024 had to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,659.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $11,283 | $1,659 | $12,942 |
| In-State | $7,773 | $1,659 | $9,432 |
Books and Supplies
The approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another significant expense. The estimated cost of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $1,000.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
At University of South Dakota, the 2024 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $10,356.
| Tuition | $ 7,773 |
| Room and Board | $ 10,356 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,000 |
| Total Expense | $ 19,129 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial support can be a great deal for many students. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid you might get at University of South Dakota.
According to the most recent data, 617 freshmen were awarded financial aid. Students of this school received an average of $10,508 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
1,181 students were granted some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at University of South Dakota is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 2,279. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $7,669,674, and state $94,800.
$2,882
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 1,470 students overall (including freshmen) at University of South Dakota in 2024. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 469 full-time freshman. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $7,669,674 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $366,328. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $6,563,230. 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 $3,267,305 USD.
Majors
Faculty
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at University of South Dakota was 16:1: that means 16 students per one teacher. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 666. Out of that number, there were 282 men and 384 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at University of South Dakota.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at University of South Dakota is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some details about students' life at University of South Dakota.
It has a campus size of 274 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
That includes sororities and fraternities. At this school, 23% of male students are members of social organizations, while that percentage is 12 for female students. If you are interested in music, you can join the University of South Dakota band or chorus. If you're interested in acting, you have the option to join a drama club. For students who have a passion for media and communication, University of South Dakota publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
University of South Dakota provides a number of services vital for a pleasant and secure life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services and Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of University of South Dakota.
All in all, campus life at University of South Dakota is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
FAQ
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University of South Dakota is located in Vermillion, SD.
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University of South Dakota offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for University of South Dakota is 98%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for University of South Dakota is 80.15%.
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.