About South Dakota State University

Founded in 1881, South Dakota State University. is a Public college. Located in South Dakota, which is a city setting in South Dakota, the campus itself is Town. The campus is home to 10,946 full time undergraduate students, and 1,654 full time graduate students.

The South Dakota State University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 17:1. There are 551 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at South Dakota State University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate90%
Application Deadline
Application Fee20
SAT Range890-1160
ACT Range20-26

Admissions at SDSU are considered Less Selective, with ,47% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 44 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

69% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 36% were in the top quarter, and 11% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at South Dakota State University.

2%
“We”re apathetic”
41%
“We know about current events and vote”
55%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
2%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
20%
“Sometimes, but not often”
64%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
16%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
7%
“I only go out in groups”
39%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
55%
“I feel extremely safe”
7%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
23%
“We bought the gear”
70%
“We live for the big game”
12%
“It”s not really our thing”
16%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
65%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
7%
“We”re a very artistic group”
7%
“Haven”t met them”
2%
“Available in class”
61%
“They keep regular office hours”
30%
“They”re always available”
2%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
48%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
50%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
5%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
30%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
23%
“We only party on weekends”
43%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
9%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
77%
“There might be people who do”
11%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
2%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
2%
“We”re apathetic”
41%
“We know about current events and vote”
55%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
2%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
20%
“Sometimes, but not often”
64%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
16%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
7%
“I only go out in groups”
39%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
55%
“I feel extremely safe”
7%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
23%
“We bought the gear”
70%
“We live for the big game”
12%
“It”s not really our thing”
16%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
65%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
7%
“We”re a very artistic group”
7%
“Haven”t met them”
2%
“Available in class”
61%
“They keep regular office hours”
30%
“They”re always available”
2%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
48%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
50%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
5%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
30%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
23%
“We only party on weekends”
43%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
9%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
77%
“There might be people who do”
11%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
2%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    119 Students rated on-campus housing 3.6 stars. 16 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    95 Students rated off-campus housing 3.5 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    124 Students rated campus food 3.4 stars. 16 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    128 Students rated campus facilities 4 stars. 30 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    128 Students rated class size 4.1 stars. 33 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    128 Students rated school activities 4 stars. 37 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    128 Students rated local services 4 stars. 38 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    129 Students rated academics 4.1 stars. 40 % gave the school a 5.0.

South Dakota State University REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of South Dakota State University?

52 Students rated South Dakota State University

Karley - 01/24/2023

Great campus it is clean and kept up. Great students friendly easy to get to know. Great staff very knowledgeable, kind and available. The football team is doing well. There are good food choices. There is an ice cream shop on campus that makes its own ice cream. I Love It. The mascot is a jack rabbit. GO JACKS!

Keeley - 03/01/2022

I feel like there are a lot of good opportunities in or around campus, the student just has to make the effort to join the clubs and partake in the activates on campus. I know where I am in the biology section of the college I miss my agriculture roots and I do have the chance to still be in touch with agriculture by being on this campus

Sierra - 06/03/2021

I decided to join South Dakota State because it has a beautiful campus with a lot of unique and wonderful people. Campus is always lively and there is always something going on for students to do. SDSU is really good at sports and the fans at sports events are always animated. There are lots of opportunities to be successful!

Abigail - 06/20/2020

I love South Dakota for many reasons but SDSU makes you feel like family the moment you set foot on campus. They want you there and they don't play any games about it; they are truthful and extremely knowledgable. SDSU is the place to be and they treat us all like people not just a number like other large schools.

South Dakota State University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at South Dakota State University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for South Dakota State University is 90%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    Attend South Dakota State University first! The University of South Dakota is nice but you will gain more friends and experience attending SDSU before USD. Make a study plan so your grades stay high and do not be afraid to say no to a school commitment. Also, take pictures of yourself, friends, and family to school. You will get homesick. Do not be afraid to call home and talk to the parents and call your grandparents on a regular basis. Keep in touch with your brother and sister.

    Read all 119 answers

  3. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    South Dakota State University is dedicated to helping students become successful now and in their future career, and offers small class sizes and a faculty that want the students to do well.

    Read all 23 answers

  4. Describe the students at your school.

    My classmates mainly have farming backgrounds, but there are many foreign students and city kids also.

    Read all 23 answers

  5. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    Cliques.

    Read all 23 answers

  6. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    The Camponile located on campus or our mascot, the Jackrabbit.

    Read all 22 answers

  7. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Any one! There is something here for EVERYONE!!

    Read all 22 answers

  8. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    The most frustrating thing about my school is that some classes are taught by professors that don't speak very good english. Now we all know that this is part of the college experience, but it's hard enough to understand a class like Chemistry when you have a hard time understanding the teacher. On the bright side, these teachers know that their students have a difficult time understanding them, and therefore are always willing to help out students in and out of class.

    Read all 19 answers

  9. What's unique about your campus?

    SDSU is about the right size for and undergraduate program. While there were some classes with 400 students, others only had 15-20. It was nice in the smaller classes to get to know your professors and not be another number.

    Read all 18 answers

  10. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    South Dakota State University is one of the most affordable schools in the U.S. For it's unique price students can recieve a quality education from professors and learning communities who care. The university is also unique for its learning communities, meaning they put you in a community with other students who are studying similar things to you so that you are in almost all of the same classes and it is easier to make study groups.

    Read all 17 answers

  11. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    It takes awhile to walk to some class rooms

    Read all 17 answers

  12. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    I mostly brag about my job and the fact that I live a block away from campus and my rent is extremely cheap. This community is great for jobs for college students as well as off campus affordable housing.

    Read all 15 answers

  13. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Anyone who likes to be outdoors in the winter will not enjoy SDSU. The weather is extremely cold and windy.

    Read all 14 answers

Student Body

Students

53%

female

47%

male

10,946

Total Undergrad Enrollment

1,654

Total Grad Students

47%

Out-Of-State

50%

In-State

3%

International

Organizations

205

Student Organizations

6

Fraternities

4

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

31%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
1%
% Asian/Pacific Islander
1%
% Black or African-American
2%
% Hispanic/Latino
2%
% White or Caucasian
87%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

90% of students attending South Dakota State University receive some sort of financial aid. 25% were awarded federal grants. While 65% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$11,403

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,500

Books and Supplies

$9,800

Room and Board

22,703

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$18,001
$30 - $48K
$18,961
$48 - $75K
$21,807
$75 - $110K
$22,978
$110K & UP
$23,035

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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