University of South Dakota

Vermillion, SD · Public · offers Graduate degrees

Distant town

99%Acceptance rate
$19,858Average net price / year
60%Graduation rate
$51,926Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$23,592Median debt at graduation
5,439Undergraduates

Cost

In-state tuition & fees
$9,432
Out-of-state tuition
$12,942
Total cost of attendance
$24,422
Room & board
$10,356
Books & supplies
$1,000
Average net price
$19,858

Net price by family income

$0–30k
$14,921
$30–48k
$15,942
$48–75k
$18,540
$75–110k
$21,202
$110k+
$22,193

Official net price calculator

Admissions

Acceptance rate
98.8%
Average SAT
1125
SAT reading (25–75%)
530–620
SAT math (25–75%)
595–695
ACT composite (25–75%)
19–25

Outcomes

Graduation rate
60%
First-year retention
79%
Median earnings (6 yrs)
$46,290
Median earnings (10 yrs)
$51,926
Median debt (graduates)
$23,592
3-year loan default rate
0.0%
Students with Pell grants
19%
Students with federal loans
40%

Programs: what graduates earn

47 of 160 programs have published earnings or debt data. Earnings are median salaries of graduates one year after completing the program (or the latest available year).

Associate's degree

ProgramGraduatesEarningsMedian debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing—$47,905$14,947

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Doctoral degree

ProgramGraduatesEarningsMedian debt
Educational Administration and Supervision24$98,893—
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions—$69,059$115,835

First professional degree

ProgramGraduatesEarningsMedian debt
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions56$64,105—
Law58$61,718—
Medicine61$68,011—

Students

Undergraduates
5,439
Graduate students
3,860
Part-time
12%
Women / men
64% / 36%
White
76%
Hispanic
6%
Black
4%
Asian
2%
International
7%

Faculty & school

Student–faculty ratio
16:1
Avg faculty salary
$83,376 / year
Full-time faculty
65%
Accreditor
Higher Learning Commission
Website
www.usd.edu
Also known as
USD

Most popular fields

  • Communication & Journalism – 3% of degrees
  • Computer & Information Sciences – 1% of degrees
  • Education – 9% of degrees
  • Liberal Arts & General Studies – 4% of degrees
  • Biological Sciences – 7% of degrees
  • Parks, Recreation & Fitness – 7% of degrees

Frequently asked questions

What is the acceptance rate at University of South Dakota?

98.8% of applicants were admitted, and admitted students averaged 1125 on the SAT.

How much does University of South Dakota cost?

The average net price after grants is $19,858 per year; in-state tuition and fees are $9,432 and the full cost of attendance is $24,422.

How much do University of South Dakota graduates earn?

Students who enrolled earn a median of $51,926 ten years later. See the program table above for salaries by major.

What is the graduation rate?

60% of first-time, full-time students graduate within 150% of normal time.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release.