At a glance
Average net price
$19,841
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
62.4%
Admission rate
98%
Undergrad size
9,198
In-state tuition
$9,299
Out-of-state tuition
$12,809
Cost of attendance
$24,636
Median earnings (10y)
$55,070
Admissions
- SAT average
- 1,120
- ACT midpoint
- 22
- Retention
- 83.8%
- Locale
- Town
Programs breakdown
26 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by health (20%), stem (19%), humanities & arts (17%).
- STEM19%
- Health20%
- Business10%
- Humanities & arts17%
- Social sciences17%
- Trades & services17%
- Health professions19.9%~1,829 students/yr · HealthCompare schools
- Agriculture11.9%~1,092 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Business9.9%~912 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- Engineering7.5%~689 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Education5.8%~535 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~513 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Liberal arts4.6%~426 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~364 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~350 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Psychology3.6%~333 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~307 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~303 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Social sciences3.1%~285 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~233 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Communication2.0%~180 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Transportation1.6%~144 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Engineering tech1.5%~136 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Mathematics1.3%~119 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- History1.2%~114 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Architecture1.0%~92 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~79 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- English0.6%~52 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Computer science0.5%~48 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~35 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~22 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Legal0.1%~5 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
40 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor's | 626 | $58,372 | $28,000 |
| Animal Sciences. | Bachelor's | 218 | $40,797 | $23,162 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 172 | $27,268 | $27,000 |
| Business/Managerial Economics. | Bachelor's | 172 | — | $23,573 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor's | 167 | $60,229 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 154 | $28,661 | $25,608 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | First professional | 142 | $110,688 | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate's | 129 | — | $12,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor's | 126 | $35,069 | $25,937 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Bachelor's | 122 | — | $26,000 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 116 | $30,640 | $24,500 |
| Agriculture, General. | Bachelor's | 105 | $43,717 | $20,000 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor's | 104 | $39,627 | $25,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor's | 99 | $36,969 | $26,000 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor's | 87 | $58,268 | $27,000 |
| Agricultural Business and Management. | Bachelor's | 76 | $41,411 | $22,557 |
| Plant Sciences. | Bachelor's | 72 | $50,213 | $23,125 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management. | Bachelor's | 71 | $33,041 | $24,798 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master's | 68 | $79,691 | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor's | 63 | $38,858 | $29,731 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor's | 57 | — | $25,500 |
| Statistics. | Bachelor's | 56 | — | — |
| Air Transportation. | Bachelor's | 56 | — | — |
| Agriculture, General. | Associate's | 55 | — | — |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Bachelor's | 54 | $54,985 | $31,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor's | 53 | $36,721 | $27,000 |
| History. | Bachelor's | 50 | $37,916 | $26,977 |
| Construction Management. | Bachelor's | 49 | — | — |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | Bachelor's | 46 | $38,698 | $27,000 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master's | 46 | $39,284 | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor's | 45 | — | — |
| Statistics. | Master's | 45 | — | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | First professional | 44 | — | — |
| Sociology. | Bachelor's | 42 | $35,161 | $26,000 |
| Public Health. | Bachelor's | 41 | — | — |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology. | Bachelor's | 40 | — | — |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master's | 40 | — | — |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management. | Bachelor's | 40 | — | $25,093 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor's | 39 | $53,967 | $22,748 |
| Agricultural Production Operations. | Bachelor's | 37 | — | — |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About South Dakota State University
South Dakota State University is a large institution located in Brookings, South Dakota, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 9,198 undergraduate students in a town setting. The most popular fields of study include Health professions, Agriculture, Business.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at South Dakota State University — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $19,841 per year, which is moderately priced compared to other U.S. institutions. Sticker tuition runs $9,299 for in-state students and $12,809 for out-of-state students before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $24,636 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 62.4%, a above-average completion outcome. 83.8% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $55,070 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
South Dakota State University confers degrees and certificates across 26 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Health professions, Agriculture, Business. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by health (20% of credentials), stem (19% of credentials), humanities & arts (17% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
South Dakota State University accepts 98% of applicants, making it open or near-open admission. Admitted students have an average SAT score around 1,120. The ACT midpoint for admitted students is roughly 22.
Location & campus
Set in Brookings, South Dakota (town), South Dakota State University draws students from across South Dakota and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about South Dakota State University
Q.How much does South Dakota State University cost?
The average net price at South Dakota State University is $19,841 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $24,636.
Q.What is the graduation rate at South Dakota State University?
South Dakota State University has a 6-year graduation rate of 62.4% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into South Dakota State University?
South Dakota State University admits 98% of applicants, which is considered open or near-open admission.
Q.How much do South Dakota State University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median South Dakota State University graduate earns $55,070 per year.
Q.What is tuition at South Dakota State University?
Published tuition is $9,299 in-state and $12,809 out-of-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is South Dakota State University located?
South Dakota State University is located in Brookings, South Dakota (ZIP 57007).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with South Dakota State University at their official website.