South Dakota State University Admission Requirements and Statistics

[updated for 2024-2025 admission data]

How hard is South Dakota State to get into?

This page provides the latest information on South Dakota State University (South Dakota State)'s admission process, acceptance rate, and student profile. South Dakota State's acceptance rate is 98.34% for 2024-2025 admission. A total of 7,287 students applied and 7,166 were admitted to the school. Its acceptance rate is relatively high, making it somewhat easy to get into South Dakota State.

To apply to South Dakota State, it is required to submit high school GPA and record. The SAT and ACT score is not required, but considered for admission. In addition, english proficiency test score is also considered (required).

Explore South Dakota State University

Admission Statistics

For the academic year 2024-25, South Dakota State's acceptance rate is 98.34% and the yield (also known as enrollment rate) is 34.06%. 3,598 men and 3,689 women applied to South Dakota State and 3,526 men and 3,640 women students were accepted.

Among them, 1,113 men and 1,328 women were enrolled in South Dakota State. You can explore the South Dakota State's admission rates and SAT score trends over the past decade, including year-by-year data and analysis, by visiting Admission Trends page.

Acceptance Rate and Admission Statistics at South Dakota State
TotalMenWomenAnother GenderGender Unknown
Applicants7,2873,5983,68900
Admitted7,1663,5263,64000
Enrolled2,4411,1131,32800
Acceptance Rate 98.34%98.00%98.67%--
Yield 34.06%31.57%36.48%--

Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: December 11, 2024)

South Dakota State University 2025 Acceptance Rate By Gender chart

Median SAT and ACT Score

For the academic year 2025, 45 students (2% of enrolled students) submitted SAT scores and 1,828 students (75% of enrolled students) submitted ACT scores as part of the admission process at South Dakota State.

The median SAT score for admitted students is 1,130, including 570 in SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and 560 in SAT Math. The 75th percentile SAT EBRW score is 610 and the 25th percentile is 530. For SAT Math, the 75th percentile score is 630 and the 25th percentile is 530.

The median ACT composite score is 22, with a 75th percentile score of 25 and a 25th percentile score of 19 at South Dakota State. The median ACT Math score is 23 and the median ACT English score is 21.

How competitive is South Dakota State's score?

The SAT and ACT scores at South Dakota State University are similar to the average score compared to similar colleges (SAT: 1,131, ACT: 23 - public research university with high research activity).

2025 SAT and ACT Scores at South Dakota State
25th Percentile50th Percentile (Median)75th Percentile
SAT Total1,0601,1301,240
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing530570610
SAT Math530560630
ACT Composite192225
ACT Math182326
ACT English182124

Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: December 11, 2024)

South Dakota State University 2025 SAT and ACT Score Chart

First-year Enrollment by Gender and Enrolled Type

For the academic year 2024-25, total 2,441 first-year students enrolled in South Dakota State. The proportion of full-time students is 97.21% and part-time students is 2.79%.

By gender, the proportion of men students is 45.60% and women students is 54.40%.

The following table shows the first-year students by gender and enrolled type at South Dakota State.

First-Year Students by Gender and Enrolled Type at South Dakota State
TotalMenWomenAnother GenderGender Unknown
Total2,4411,1131,32800
Full-time2,3731,0901,28300
Part-time68234500

Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: December 11, 2024)

Application Requirements

It requires to submit High School GPA, High School Rank, High School Record (or Transcript), Completion of College Preparatory Program, and English Proficiency Test to its applicants.

The SAT and ACT test score is not required, but considered in admission process at South Dakota State. The english proficiency test is required .

The next table summarizes the application requirements to apply South Dakota State University.

For more admission information such as minimum GPA and deadlines, see its online application page .

South Dakota State Admission Requirements
High School GPARequired
High School RankRequired
High School Record (or Transcript)Required
Completion of College Preparatory ProgramRequired
RecommendationsConsidered, if submitted
Formal Demonstration of CompetenciesNot Considered
SAT / ACTConsidered, if submitted
English Proficiency TestRequired
Other Test (Wonderlic,WISC-III,etc)Not Considered
Work experienceNot Considered
Personal statement or essayConsidered, if submitted
Legacy statusNot Considered

General Admissions Information

The following provides general admission information for applying to South Dakota State:

  • Open Admission Policy: No
  • Undergraduate Application Fees: -
  • Graduate Application Fees: -
  • Admission Information: https://www.sdstate.edu/admissions
  • Online Application: https://www.sdstate.edu/admissions/apply-now
  • Calendar System: Semester
  • Course for High School Students: Not Offered
  • Credits Accepted: Credits for Life Experiences, Advanced placement (AP) Credits
  • Degree Offered: 1-Year Certificate, Associate, Bachelor, Post-Bachelor Certificate, Master, Post-Master Certificate, Doctoral (Research), Doctoral (Professional Practice)

South Dakota State Admission Frequently Asked Questions

South Dakota State is relatively easy to get into, with an acceptance rate of 98.34%.
South Dakota State recommends submitting SAT or ACT scores, but they are not strictly required for admission. The average SAT score required for admission to South Dakota State is 1,130, and the average ACT score is 22. Meeting or exceeding these scores will improve your chances of admission.
South Dakota State recommends submitting a personal essay or statement, but it is not strictly required.
South Dakota State recommends submitting a recommendation letter, but it is not strictly required.
South Dakota State does not require an application fee for undergraduate or graduate admission.
Yes, South Dakota State requires applicants to submit high school GPA, high school rank, high school record or transcript as part of the admission process.
Yes, South Dakota State requires international applicants to submit an English proficiency test (like TOEFL or IELTS) as part of the application.

The institutional SAT code for South Dakota State is 6653.

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