Overview
Founded in 1881, South Dakota State University is a 4-year public school in eastern South Dakota and the state’s largest university. The oldest institution of higher education in South Dakota, SDSU awards bachelor’s degrees in over 200 academic programs. For students who wish to learn in a different culture, SDSU oversees a number of study abroad programs ranging in length from one week to a full school year as well as an Incoming Freshman Abroad initiative. To accommodate its Native student population, SDSU’s American Indian Student Center provides advising and cultural programming throughout the school year.
Acceptance Rate:
86%
Average Net Price:
$19,252
Campus Setting:
Suburb or town
Average GPA
3.6
Average ACT Composite
22
Average SAT Composite
1136
Tuition, Cost & Aid
Affordability & Cost
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $9,299 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $12,809 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $9,562 |
| Books and Supplies | $1200 |
Aid & Grants
0
100
67%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
18%
Average Aid Per Year
$4,551
18%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$1,983
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$2,807
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
59%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$7,998
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$15,750
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$224
Admissions
Key Admissions Stats
Institution Type
Public
- Not for Profit
- Coed
Need Blind
This school does not consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission
Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Suburb or town
Admissions Requirements
SAT
No
ACT
No
Transcript
Yes
Test Optional
Yes
Important Deadlines
Rolling Admissions
The college has rolling admissions, which means applications are accepted any time throughout the year.
Admitted Student Stats
83%
Submitting ACT
3%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 22
Average SAT Composite: 1136
Admissions Resources
Academics
Key Academic Stats
Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
11,327
Total Number of Undergrads
9,917
0
100
41%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
59%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
18:1
US National: 21:1Degrees and Majors
MAJORS
131
Faculty Overview
Campus Life
Key Campus Stats
Student Gender
Residency
Housing
On-campus living required of freshman
Yes
Athletics
Divisional Sports Nickname
Jackrabbits
School Colors
blue and yellow
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Missouri Valley Conference
Campus Safety
24-HR security patrol
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Yes
After Graduation
Post Grad Stats
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$50,200
REVIEWS
Read What Students Are SayingSDSU has a great environment set up for learning and getting to that boring part of college we all dread...studying. The fact that most of the people in my dorm (Matthews) were involved in the same things as I am meant they were in a lot of my classes which made it awesome when it came time to getting some work done! The student union is a fantastic quiet place to kick back, enjoy a cup of coffee and get some last minute studying done.
Joshua from Madison, SD
I graduated with a class of 17, and I was really worried about how I would be able to handle learning at a college level, but SDSU is a great school for obtaining knowledge. Since I have been at school I feel like I have made the right choice for the career that I would like to pursue. I am currently a pre-nursing student who has made the Dean's list within the first semester of college. I feel that SDSU has great programs and they will only get better from here.
Hannah from Comfrey, MN
I enjoy classes at SDSU because the professors care about the students. It gives the place very much a small-town feeling. I would definitely rank the education that the Engineering college has to offer up there with some of the better known Engineering colleges across the country. Also at SDSU, I am able to make my degree unique by combining different technical electives.
Sarah from Hartford, SD
South Dakota State University is an ever growing college located in Brookings, South Dakota, just 45 minutes north of Sioux Falls. There are many different majors and opportunities available at SDSU. The campus is large, but walkable, professors are helpful and insightful and class sizes are generally small which really enhances the learning experience.
AKD
SDSU has small classes, so you can have one-on-one talks with the professors.
SDSU has all the resources you need, whether it's the computer lab, library, study areas, a huge gym, etc.
SDSU has a great staff that is full of friendly, generous people.
SDSU has all the resources you need, whether it's the computer lab, library, study areas, a huge gym, etc.
SDSU has a great staff that is full of friendly, generous people.
Katie from Brookings, SD
South Dakota State University has the programs I'm looking for and at lower rates than my other choice, North Dakota State University. South Dakota State University also has many more opportunities for myself and others for fun and participation for anything we're interested in. I'm really looking forward to starting class at SDSU.
Elisabeth from Webster, SD
Though the weather isn't always the best, and town isn't exactly full of things to do, if you make friends and find things to do, this place is amazing. Being from somehwere much more populated, I am loving the rural area around the college and the fact that souix falls is a short drive away. Classes are challenging, but not too hard. Overall, I love it!
Sarah from Jobstown, NJ
SDSU has a wide variety of programs and opportunities for it's students. They constantly have construction going on, which I did not like as a student because I never really felt like I was getting the typical college experience because of it. The classes I have taken range from have 400 students in one classroom to being one of fifteen students.
Stephanie from Brookings, SD
Learning includes more than just in the classroom. The college allows the students to grow, and coming from a small town, I am not only learning about the classes themselves, but how to study, and about diversity.
Haleigh from Hot Springs, SD
I absolutely love SDSU! Not only are the professors fun but they care about what you learn and that you understand what you are learning. Knowing the professors are there to help you, it pushes you to work your hardest. SDSU provides a great community to find friends, study groups, or new interests. The advisers are willing to help anyone; even if you do not know what you want to be. SDSU is an ideal school for anyone at any age and any learning level! I love it here and you will too!
Angela from Larchwood, IA
