62%
Graduation Rate
84%
Retention Rate
[updated for 2024-2025 graduation data]
At South Dakota State University, the graduation rate is 62 % within 150% normal time, the retention rate is 84 %, as of August 31, 2025.
Its graduation rate is relatively higher than the average rate when comparing similar colleges' rate of 56.21% (public Research University with high research activity).
Graduation Rates in Reasonable Completion Time
For the academic year 2024-2025, 1,318 students out of 2,114 candidates have completed their courses within 150% normal time (i.e. in 6 years for 4-year BS degree) at South Dakota State University.
By gender, 589 male and 729 female students graduated the school last year completing their jobs in the period.
| Candidates | Completers | Graduation Rates |
| Total | 2,114 | 1,318 | 62.35% |
| Men | 1,023 | 589 | 57.58% |
| Women | 1,091 | 729 | 66.82% |
Graduation Rate By Race/Ethnicity
The following table shows graduation rate by race and at South Dakota State University.
- American Indian or Alaska Native: 52.38%
- Asian: 35.29%
- Black (Non-Hispanic): 48.39%
- Hispanic: 47.54%
- White: 63.88%
- Two or More Race: 43.40%
- Unknown: 60.00%
Graduation Rate by Gender
| Total | Male | Female |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 52.38%(11/21) |
33.33%(2/6) |
60.00%(9/15) |
|---|
| Asian | 35.29%(6/17) |
37.50%(3/8) |
33.33%(3/9) |
|---|
| Black (Non-Hispanic) | 48.39%(15/31) |
44.44%(8/18) |
53.85%(7/13) |
|---|
| Hispanic | 47.54%(29/61) |
29.03%(9/31) |
66.67%(20/30) |
|---|
| White | 63.88%(1,208/1,891) |
59.41%(543/914) |
68.07%(665/977) |
|---|
| Two or More Race | 43.40%(23/53) |
45.00%(9/20) |
42.42%(14/33) |
|---|
| Unknown | 60.00%(3/5) |
75.00%(3/4) |
- |
|---|
Non-Resident Alien Graduation Rate
A non-resident alien student is not a US citizen/green card holder and studies with a student visa, such as an F visa, in the United States. At South Dakota State University, 23 of 35 non-resident alien students completed their studies and the graduation rate was 65.71%.