University of South Dakota

University of South Dakota Overview

University of South Dakota is a public, state school in a small town setting in Vermillion, South Dakota. University of South Dakota was founded in 1862 and the school presently has around 9,464 students per year, including 6,987 undergrad students. University of South Dakota provides on-campus housing for students. Most students live in off campus housing.Regular decision applicants for Fall 2023 should receive admissions decisions by August 1.

Student Activities at University of South Dakota

Are you interested in music or performing? Join a campus band, sing in a chorus, or perform with one of the school's theater groups.

Interested in journalism or communications? University of South Dakota students can write for the campus newspaper, host a radio show or be a producer for the student-run television channel.

Excited for Greek life? University of South Dakota has fraternities and sororities.

Planning to play sports? University of South Dakota has many options for athletes. See them all and learn more about life at University of South Dakota on the Student Life page.

Is University of South Dakota a Good School?

The definition of a "good school" can mean different things for different people. Some factors that can help you determine what a good school for you might be include admissions criteria, acceptance rate, tuition costs, and more.

Let's take a look at these factors to get a better idea of what University of South Dakota offers and if the school might be a good choice for you.

2022 Acceptance Rate for University of South Dakota

Around 87% of applicants get into University of South Dakota each year. Last year, 4,271 students applied to University of South Dakota and 3,716 were admitted.

Retention and Graduation Rates at University of South Dakota

Retention refers to the number of students that stay enrolled at a school over time. This is a way to get a sense of how satisfied students are with their school experience, and if they have the support necessary to succeed in college.

Around 77% of students who start at University of South Dakota come back the next year. Around 60% of students who started at University of South Dakota earn their Bachelor's degrees within six years. Compare this to the average six-year graduation rate for colleges and universities in the U.S., which is around 61% for public schools and 67% for private.

Job Outlook University of South Dakota Graduates

Job placement rates after graduation and average starting salaries can all give important clues about the value of a degree from a specific school.

Check with University of South Dakota directly, for information on any information on starting salaries for recent grads.

University of South Dakota's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and support students.

As of 2022, the total market value of University of South Dakota's endowment was $328.5 million. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021. The school spends $10,011 for each full-time student enrolled.

Tuition and Financial Aid at University of South Dakota

Tuition cost is another important factor when choose a college. Some colleges may have high tuition, but do a better job at meeting students' financial need.

University of South Dakota meets 57.9% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $8,641 a year.

The average student debt for graduates in the class of 2022 was around $29,452 per student, not including those with no debt. For context, compare this number with the average national debt, which is around $36,000 per borrower.

The 2023-2024 FAFSA Opened on October 1st, 2022

Some aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so fill out the FAFSA early. Visit the FAFSA website to apply for student aid. Remember, the first F in FAFSA stands for FREE! You should never have to pay to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), so be very wary of anyone asking you for money.

Learn more about Tuition and Financial Aid at University of South Dakota.

Based on this information, does University of South Dakota seem like a good fit? Remember, the best school for one person may not be the right school for someone else! So ask yourself: Is University of South Dakota a good school for you?

If University of South Dakota seems like a school you want to apply to, click the heart button to save it to your college list.

Still Looking for Schools?

To learn more about University of South Dakota, choose from the options below:

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Then use the college admissions predictor to calculate your chances of getting admitted to some of the colleges and universities in the U.S.

Where is University of South Dakota?

University of South Dakota is located in the small town setting of Vermillion, South Dakota.

If you would like to see University of South Dakota for yourself, plan a visit. The best way to reach campus is to take Interstate 29 to Vermillion, or book a flight to the nearest airport, Sioux Falls Regional Airport.

You can also take a virtual campus tour to get a sense of what University of South Dakota and Vermillion are like without leaving home.

Considering Colleges and Universities in South Dakota?

See a full list of colleges in South Dakota and save your favorites to your college list.