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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 school follows 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
If you know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will significantly increase. Discover some important information about admission at University of South Dakota.
According to the newest information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 5,892 in 2025.
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 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% of the students between 800 and 999. The percent of new 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 that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into University of South Dakota.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. 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 University of South Dakota was 79.34%, demonstrating the exceptional quality of the educational experience at this institution.
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. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 60%.
Student Body
Choosing a school that is the best fit for you is not a simple task. Having a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at University of South Dakota in 2025 was 10,619.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 39.68% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 7,619, 376 of which were international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 315.
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
In order to promote a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing 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 students of Asian origin was 83, and the number of African American students was 207. 316 undergraduate students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 142 as multirace. The school also had 1 student who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 120 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 58 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
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition cost for this university.
For local residents, public county and municipal institutions reported that tuition costs were $7,998. Tuition fees were $11,610 for students coming from a different state. Tuition costs at University of South Dakota for international students were $11,610. Full-time students in 2025 had to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,689.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $11,610 | $1,689 | $13,299 |
| In-State | $7,998 | $1,689 | $9,687 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to consider the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The estimated cost of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $800.
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?
At University of South Dakota, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $10,590.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 7,998 |
| Room and Board | $ 10,590 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 800 |
| Total Expense | $ 19,388 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial support: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. If you wish to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at University of South Dakota, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 650 freshmen. Students of this school received an average of $11,012 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.
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 was 2,333. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $8,444,580, and state $55,284.
$2,818
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like 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 1,470 students overall (including freshmen) at University of South Dakota in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 501 full-time freshman. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $8,444,580 while the state aid is $380,956. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants 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. $3,329,832 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
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.
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. This school has recently reported to have 695 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 301 men and 394 women. 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
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some details about social life at University of South Dakota.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
If you are interested in music, you can join the University of South Dakota band or chorus. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. 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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The most recent reported 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 79.34%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2025 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 © 2025 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
