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University of South Dakota
University of South Dakota

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, SD, USA
Public
4 Year

Overview

Founded in 1862, the University of South Dakota is the state’s oldest public university and is a designated R2 research university by the Carnegie Foundation. The Vermillion campus is located along the bluffs of the Missouri River and home to seven colleges and schools conferring undergraduate degrees in 13 fields of study. It is home to the National Music Museum which houses thousands of instruments from around the world. Additionally, the USD campus is home to the Center for Academic & Global Engagement which provides service learning opportunities for all students. Away from the classroom, USD fields 16 men’s and women’s sports teams and the biggest fans in the student body are rewarded with “Paw Points” for every game they attend, making them eligible for a monthly prize auction.

Acceptance Rate:
99%
Average Net Price:
$18,555
Campus Setting:
Suburb or town
Average GPA
3.5
Average ACT Composite
22
Average SAT Composite
1118

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability & Cost

Average Net Price
$18,555
Calculate your net 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.
$9,432
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.
$12,942
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$9,060
Books and Supplies
$1200

Aid & Grants

0
100
62%
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.
19%
Average Aid Per Year
$6,308
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.
19%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$6,314
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$3,694

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.
60%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$7,340
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.
$16,000
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.
$228

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
0
100
99%
Acceptance Rate

Admissions Requirements

SAT
SAT is not checked
No
ACT
ACT is not checked
No
Transcript
Transcript is checked
Yes
Test Optional
Item is not checked
No

Important Deadlines

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
54%
Out-Of-State Students
40%
76%
Submitting ACT
3%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 22
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 1118
0
1600

Admissions Resources

Academics

Key Academic Stats

Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
9,856
Total Number of Undergrads
7,132
0
100
43%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
60%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
14:1
US National: 21:1

Degrees and Majors

MAJORS
96

Faculty Overview

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Student Gender
Male
Female
36%
64%
Residency
In-State Students
54%
Out-Of-State Students
40%

Housing

0
100
34%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No

Athletics

Divisional Sports Nickname
Coyotes
School Colors
red and white
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Missouri Valley Conference

Campus Safety

24-HR security patrol
24-HR security patrol is checked
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Campus emergency phones is checked
Yes

After Graduation

Post Grad Stats

Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$49,500
From day one the teachers are really excited about teaching. Many professors, while not able to get to know students in class, welcome office visits with open arms. The class variety makes it easy to explore options and get a taste of other majors. By the end of the semester students will feel like they have actually learned material, not just memorized it.
Anne
Because USD is a smaller university than most, I am able to have direct contact with all of my professors, instead of having to go through a Teacher's Assistant when I have questions. All of the professors are very willing to help a student with any problems or questions they may have, even in the large lecture classes. Also, there are numerous research opportunities for undergraduates that just aren't available at other universities. Overall, the level of education I am receiving here is highly above average.
Amanda
There are great professors here. However, there are also some not so great professors. The trick is to ask some upper classmen about your professors so you can have only the best. I had a terrible professor for my algebra class and i already hate math and he just made the class worse for me. If you get some of the really good professors it will be easier to learn and it will be more fun.
Cassandra
I am majoring in Psychology and Alcohol and Drug Studies. Professors are amazing, and give you the help you need! You just have to ask!
Mena from Sioux Falls, SD
I definitely feel like a very many of these teachers are passionate about teaching and helping students learn. Some are pretty lax and others are strict, but they definitely know what they are doing. Being the liberal arts school of South Dakota, one gets a very well rounded education.
Randi from Sioux Falls, SD