At a glance
Average net price
$19,858
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
59.9%
Admission rate
99%
Undergrad size
5,439
In-state tuition
$9,432
Out-of-state tuition
$12,942
Cost of attendance
$24,422
Median earnings (10y)
$51,926
Admissions
- SAT average
- 1,125
- ACT midpoint
- 22
- Retention
- 79.3%
- Locale
- Town
Programs breakdown
23 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by health (28%), business (20%), social sciences (17%).
- STEM10%
- Health28%
- Business20%
- Humanities & arts16%
- Social sciences17%
- Trades & services9%
- Health professions28.1%~1,528 students/yr · HealthCompare schools
- Business20.1%~1,093 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- ~350 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Education6.3%~340 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Psychology6.3%~340 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Liberal arts5.2%~284 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~279 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Communication4.9%~265 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Social sciences3.9%~213 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~199 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~175 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~52 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Engineering0.9%~47 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- History0.9%~47 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Computer science0.8%~42 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~42 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- English0.7%~38 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Mathematics0.7%~38 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~33 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Legal0.3%~14 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~9 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Science tech0.1%~5 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~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 | 325 | $57,262 | $28,644 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor's | 175 | $38,144 | $27,000 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Master's | 171 | $43,296 | — |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | Bachelor's | 155 | $36,775 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor's | 155 | $37,003 | $22,950 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master's | 152 | $78,587 | — |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 148 | $29,202 | $24,593 |
| Law. | First professional | 143 | $46,986 | — |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 131 | $24,185 | $23,250 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor's | 128 | — | — |
| Medicine. | First professional | 125 | $58,011 | — |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Bachelor's | 120 | $34,694 | $26,000 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | First professional | 114 | $65,801 | — |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 112 | $43,992 | $25,793 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor's | 107 | $34,704 | $26,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor's | 101 | $44,484 | $24,320 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor's | 98 | — | $30,092 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor's | 95 | $35,109 | $25,000 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master's | 94 | $52,161 | — |
| Marketing. | Bachelor's | 74 | $36,756 | $26,000 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Bachelor's | 69 | $57,541 | $27,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Master's | 58 | — | — |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Bachelor's | 52 | — | $25,000 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor's | 50 | $28,457 | $26,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master's | 50 | $110,722 | — |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master's | 50 | $56,040 | — |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master's | 46 | $40,918 | — |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master's | 45 | $47,746 | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Master's | 44 | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Bachelor's | 40 | $39,667 | $27,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate's | 39 | — | — |
| Human Services, General. | Master's | 39 | $62,759 | — |
| Public Health. | Master's | 38 | — | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | 37 | $88,473 | — |
| Economics. | Bachelor's | 36 | — | $20,819 |
| Public Administration. | Master's | 33 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor's | 33 | $27,373 | $27,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Bachelor's | 31 | — | — |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Bachelor's | 31 | — | — |
| Biology, General. | Master's | 29 | — | — |
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 University of South Dakota
University of South Dakota is a large institution located in Vermillion, South Dakota, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 5,439 undergraduate students in a town setting. The most popular fields of study include Health professions, Business, Biological sciences.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at University of South Dakota — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $19,858 per year, which is moderately priced compared to other U.S. institutions. Sticker tuition runs $9,432 for in-state students and $12,942 for out-of-state students before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $24,422 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 59.9%, a above-average completion outcome. 79.3% 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 $51,926 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
University of South Dakota confers degrees and certificates across 23 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Health professions, Business, Biological sciences. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by health (28% of credentials), business (20% of credentials), social sciences (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
University of South Dakota accepts 99% of applicants, making it open or near-open admission. Admitted students have an average SAT score around 1,125. The ACT midpoint for admitted students is roughly 22.
Location & campus
Set in Vermillion, South Dakota (town), University of South Dakota 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 University of South Dakota
Q.How much does University of South Dakota cost?
The average net price at University of South Dakota is $19,858 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $24,422.
Q.What is the graduation rate at University of South Dakota?
University of South Dakota has a 6-year graduation rate of 59.9% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into University of South Dakota?
University of South Dakota admits 99% of applicants, which is considered open or near-open admission.
Q.How much do University of South Dakota graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median University of South Dakota graduate earns $51,926 per year.
Q.What is tuition at University of South Dakota?
Published tuition is $9,432 in-state and $12,942 out-of-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is University of South Dakota located?
University of South Dakota is located in Vermillion, South Dakota (ZIP 57069).
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 University of South Dakota at their official website.