USD Academic Snapshot
Admission Selectiveness:
- Admission Rate: 98.78%. Not very selective
- SAT Average: 1205. Above average SAT scores, indicating competitive applicants.
Tuition Overview:
- In-State Tuition: $9,432
- Out-of-State Tuition: $12,942
- Both in-state and out-of-state tuition are relatively affordable compared to national averages.
Student Population at USD:
- Total Enrollment: 10,619, including 3,777 online students
- 7,619 Undergraduate, 3,000 Graduate
- Gender Distribution: 36.5% men, 63.5% women.
- This is a medium-sized institution, offering diverse programs and student activities.
Graduation & Retention Rate
- Graduation Rate: 60%. Moderate graduation rate, typical for many institutions.
- First-Year Retention Rate: 79%. Good retention, typical for many institutions.
Programs & Degrees Offered
- Programs Offered: 140 academic programs available.
- Online Programs: 19 programs available fully online.
- Graduate Programs: 56 graduate-level programs offered.
- Special Programs: Law School, Medical School, Health Professions.
- Degrees Awarded: Certificate, Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctor's.
USD Overview
University of South Dakota (USD) is a four-year, public school located in Vermillion, SD. It is classified as Research University with high research activity by Carnegie Classification, also known as R2 University. You can compare their tuition and admission statistics at R2 University comparison page.
The USD's tuition & fees is $9,432 for South Dakota residents and $12,942 for out-of-state students for the academic year 2024-2025. 55% of the enrolled undergraduates have received grants or scholarships, with an average aid amount of $6,716.
The school has a total enrollment of 10,619 and the students to faculty ratio is 16 to 1 (6.25%).
USD's acceptance rate is 98.78% and the yield (enrollment rate) is 24.07%. The median SAT score is 1205 and the ACT score is 22.
USD ranked 129th in National Universities and 3rd in South Dakota Colleges rankings. University of South Dakota is accredited by Higher Learning Commission.
2025 Tuition & Fees and 2026 Estimation
For undergraduate programs, the 2025 tuition & fees of University of South Dakota is $9,432 for in-state students and $12,942 for out-of-state students. For graduate programs, its 2025 tuition & fees is $7,118 for in-state students and $12,768 for out-of-state students.
The estimated 2026 tuition & fees for prospective students is $9,432 for South Dakota residents and $12,942 for out-of-state students based on the current year tuition changes from last year. The estimated 2026 graduate school tuition & fees is $7,118 for South Dakota residents and $12,768 for out-of-state students.
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $9,432 | $12,942 |
|---|
| Graduate | $7,118 | $12,768 |
|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $9,432 | $12,942 |
|---|
| Graduate | $7,118 | $12,768 |
|---|
The estimation for 2025-2026 tuition costs is based on the cost change rates of last year.
Learning Opportunities and Campus Services
University of South Dakota offers online classes (distance learning opportunities) for both undergraduate and graduate programs. It has ROTC programs and offers teacher certification programs designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certification as teachers.
Special Learning Opportunities at USD
| Learning Opportunities |
|---|
| ROTC | Army |
|---|
| Weekend/Evening College | Yes |
|---|
| Teacher Certification | Yes |
|---|
| Study Abroad | Yes |
|---|
| On-Campus Services |
|---|
| Academic/career counseling service | Yes |
|---|
| Employment services for students | Yes |
|---|
| Placement services for completers | Yes |
|---|
| On-campus day care for students' children | Yes |
|---|
University of South Dakota Directory Information
Tools for analyzing and comparing USD