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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.
University of South Dakota is a public university located in Vermillion, SD. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 98%. The freshman retention rate at University of South Dakota is 79.34% and the six-year graduation rate is 60%.
Read more about what University of South Dakota has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
7,619
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
60%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Discovering as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission increases your chances of getting admitted. Here are the most relevant information you should know about admission at University of South Dakota.
According to the newest data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 5,892 in 2025.
Test Scores
Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 4.23% and ACT scores 61.85%. 3.33% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 50% between 1,200 and 1,399, 43.33% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 3.34% between 800 and 999. The percent of first-year students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 5.02, 32.73 between 24-29, 45.84 in the range between 18-23, 16.19 between 12-17, and 0.23 between 6-11.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.51. That means you'll most likely need an above-average GPA to get accepted.
Retention Rate
The percentage of new students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. Why is that information important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for University of South Dakota was 79.34% in 2025, reflecting the superb quality of the educational programs at this institution.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 60%.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the perfect choice for you. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at University of South Dakota in 2025 was 10,619.
That year, the institution had an out-of-state student body percentage of 39.68. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 7,619, 376 of which were foreign students. 315 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 2,444 male and 4,065 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. A diverse student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at University of South Dakota.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 83, while the number of Afro-American students was 207. 316 undergraduate students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 142 identified with more than one race. The school also had 1 student who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 120 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 58 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into account when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some important data on University of South Dakota costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at University of South Dakota? Here is what you need to know.
If you are an area resident, your tuition was $7,998. Tuition fees were $11,610 for students coming from out of state. Tuition costs at University of South Dakota for international students stood at $11,610. Fees per academic year required of full-time students came to a total of $1,689 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $11,610 | $1,689 | $13,299 |
| In-State | $7,998 | $1,689 | $9,687 |
Books and Supplies
The approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another important expense. Most students have to allocate about $800 for books and supplies during their time at University of South Dakota.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What do colleges and universities typically charge for room and board?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at University of South Dakota was $10,590 in 2025.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 7,998 |
| Room and Board | $ 10,590 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 800 |
| Total Expense | $ 19,388 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all different types of financial support for students. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at University of South Dakota, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
According to the most recent data, 650 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average financial aid package awarded to students equaled $11,012.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet certain eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
There were 1,366 students who acquired need-based financial aid of any kind. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 2,333. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution totaled $8,444,580, and state $55,284.
$2,818
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. 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.
1,470 students, including freshmen, got institutional non-need-based financial aid at this institution in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 501 full-time freshman. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $8,444,580 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $380,956. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $7,155,519. 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 $3,329,832 USD.
Majors
Faculty
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
In 2025, this ratio at University of South Dakota was 16:1. That means that there were 16 times more students than teachers at this school. The faculty of this school consists of 695 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 301 male and 394 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality 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. Find out some info about campus life at University of South Dakota.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
If you are interested in music, you can join the University of South Dakota band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. You have a passion for media and communication? University of South Dakota publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
FAQ
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University of South Dakota is located in Vermillion, 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 University of South Dakota is 98%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for University of South Dakota is 79.34%.
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.