US CollegesGetting in
South Dakota State University admits 98% of those who apply, which makes it open to most applicants. The median admission rate of colleges on this site that report one is 77%. The average SAT score of admitted students is 1120 out of 1600 (midpoints: 540 in reading and writing, 560 in maths). The midpoint ACT score is 22 out of 36.
What it costs
| Tuition and fees, students from South Dakota | $9,554 |
| Tuition and fees, students from elsewhere | $13,166 |
| Room and meals on campus | $10,648 |
| Books and supplies | $810 |
| Average full cost of a year (tuition, living, books), before aid | $24,781 |
| Average net price after grants and scholarships | $19,362 |
The net price is what students who got federal aid paid on average for a year after grants and scholarships were taken off (for a public college, students from inside the state). It is about the same as the median net price of colleges in South Dakota on this site ($19,307). International students are normally charged the out-of-state tuition and do not receive US federal aid.
Net price by family income
| Family income a year | Average net price |
|---|---|
| Up to $30,000 | $15,233 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $14,202 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $16,046 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $19,627 |
| Above $110,000 | $21,821 |
For students who received federal aid. A negative figure means grants were larger than the cost counted.
For an estimate that fits your own family, use the college's net price calculator.
Results
| Measure | This college | SD median | US median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students who come back for a second year | 84% | 75% | 73% |
| Students who finish their degree (within one and a half times the normal length) | 62% | 56% | 49% |
| Median earnings 10 years after starting | $58,802 | $51,637 | $53,132 |
| Median federal loan debt of those who finish | $21,008 | $21,802 | $19,994 |
Medians are the middle value of the colleges on this site in South Dakota and in the whole country. Completion and return rates count first-time, full-time students. Earnings and debt count students who received federal aid.
The students
19% of undergraduates receive a Pell Grant, the federal grant for students from lower-income families. 44% take a federal student loan. The undergraduate body is 54% women and 46% men. By undergraduate numbers it is number 1 of the 20 colleges in South Dakota on this site that report a size; the middle-sized one has 1,158.
Other colleges in South Dakota of a similar size
- University of South DakotaVermillion, public
- Dakota State UniversityMadison, public
- South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologyRapid City, public
- Augustana UniversitySioux Falls, private nonprofit
- Black Hills State UniversitySpearfish, public
- Northern State UniversityAberdeen, public
Common questions
What is the acceptance rate of South Dakota State University?
South Dakota State University admits 98% of applicants, according to the College Scorecard.
How much is tuition at South Dakota State University?
Published tuition and fees are $9,554 a year for students from South Dakota and $13,166 for others. Most students with aid pay less: see the net price.
What is the graduation rate of South Dakota State University?
62% of first-time, full-time students finish within one and a half times the normal length of the course.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education, data released on 2 November 2026; checked in November 2026. Net price, debt and earnings describe students who received US federal aid. Costs change each year. This is official data for general information, not advice: confirm costs and admission rules on the college's own website and at collegescorecard.ed.gov.