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University of South Dakota

#671 in US ranking Vermillion, SD
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$25,752
Tuition & fees
$9,687
Avg. aid
$6,716
Receiving aid
95%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
99%
SAT range
1125–1315
ACT range
19–25

Outcomes

Graduation rate
60%
Median salary
$49,459
1 yr after graduation

What does University of South Dakota offer in terms of athletics?

The South Dakota Coyotes compete in NCAA Division I athletics. USD's conference affiliations include the Summit League for many sports and the Missouri Valley Football Conference for football.

Varsity offerings include football, basketball, cross-country, track and field, swimming and diving, soccer, softball, volleyball, and other sports. A place on a varsity roster involves recruiting and team selection; it is different from joining recreational sports. Students who want to participate without competing for a varsity team can look to campus recreation, fitness activities, and any intramural or club opportunities available in the current term. Athletic financial aid, where offered, has its own eligibility and recruiting rules.

What student groups and Associations are available at University of South Dakota?

USD offers recognized student organizations as another way to participate in campus life. Student government, academic and professional groups, cultural organizations, service activities, and performing arts groups serve different interests and levels of commitment.

Examples of visible student-led activities include the campus newspaper, student radio, and student television. Theater, choral ensembles, and the marching band provide additional opportunities to participate in productions or performances, though auditions or course enrollment may apply. Because organization activity can change from year to year, an up-to-date campus organization directory is more useful than an older list when choosing a group to join.

Who studies at University of South Dakota?

USD enrolled 10,619 students in the reported institutional figures, making it more than a small residential undergraduate college. Its population includes first-year students, transfer entrants, graduate students, and professional students.

The reported incoming first-time undergraduate group numbered 1,418, and 317 transfer students entered as degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates. Among the first-time entrants, 907 were women and 511 were men. Geographic figures indicate that about 52% of students were South Dakota residents, while students from other states and countries also attended. These categories describe enrollment, not the experience of any individual student.

Students across a broad age range are enrolled, including learners older than the traditional college-age population. That matters when assessing fit: an undergraduate may encounter classmates with different educational and work histories, while daily schedules and campus participation will vary substantially by program and enrollment status.

How does student life look like at University of South Dakota?

Student life at USD combines a main campus in a small city with a student body that is not entirely residential. Reported housing figures place 37% of students on campus and 62% among commuters, so involvement need not depend on living in a residence hall.

First-year programming, student activities, performances, campus recreation, and shared spaces give students ways to connect outside class. Commuters may find it especially useful to plan around meetings and events between classes; residential students have more immediate access to evening activities. Academic support and wellness resources are also part of the everyday experience, although the services a student uses will depend on their needs and where their program is based.

What libraries are available to students at University of South Dakota?

The I.D. Weeks Library is USD's principal academic library. Students can use library study space, research collections, and assistance with finding and evaluating sources; specialized library resources also support professional study, including law and health sciences.

USD reports three campus libraries, and students can reserve study rooms. Library services may include access to electronic journals and databases and ways to obtain material beyond the university's own collections. Remote learners should check how authentication, electronic access, research help, and borrowed materials work for their location. Students who need late-night space should check current building hours rather than assume that library study areas operate around the clock.

University of South Dakota Student Life for 2027

Total enrollment

10619

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

1034

Member of Athletic Associations

NCAA

Total staff

391 full time, 315 part time

Veterans affair office

No

University of South Dakota Student Body

Undergraduate vs. graduate students

Undergraduate: 7,619
Graduate: 3,000

Full-time vs. part-time students

Full-time: 6,509
Part-time: 4,110

Full-time degree-seeking students by gender

Women: 663
Men: 371

Students by race/ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino: 310
Black or African American: 218
White: 4,017
American Indian or Alaska Native: 137
Asian: 87
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 3
Two or more races: 146
Unknown: 61

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

University of South Dakota Sports & Athletics

  • Member of NCAA

Varsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).

Sport

Varsity Intramural Aid

Indoor track

WomenWomenWomen

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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