Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Vermillion, South Dakota
99% Acceptance Rate
University of South Dakota — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
99%Acceptance Rate
3.43Avg GPA
1122Avg SAT
22Avg ACT
$23,544Annual Cost
$51,926Grad Salary
18%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
99%
Avg GPA
3.43
Avg SAT
1122
Avg ACT
22
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1110–1330
ACT Middle 50%
19–25
Avg Net Price
$19,155
Need-Based Aid
18% receive Pell
University of South Dakota is the state's flagship public research institution, recognized for its comprehensive academic offerings, strong research initiatives, and commitment to the local community. Admissions are selective, focusing on academic rigor and a student's demonstrated readiness for a challenging university experience. The university seeks intellectually ambitious students who are prepared to engage in a wide array of research and professional opportunities within a large, supportive, and active campus.
When applying, prospective students should emphasize their success in advanced core courses and their involvement in extracurricular activities that showcase their intellectual curiosity or leadership potential. The university values applicants who are proactive and eager to take advantage of its vast resources, from engineering to the liberal arts. Clearly articulating how one's professional goals align with the university's commitment to research and innovation is a key strategy for a competitive application.
University of South Dakota Acceptance Rate
Admission at University of South Dakota is inclusive by design. 99% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 99% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.43 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.23 – 3.42
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.98
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of South Dakota Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
University of South Dakota follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of December 15 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 127 days left — International (Spring)
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
USD reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
International (Spring)
December 15
International (Fall)
August 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (Freshman Scholarship Priority: 2025/12/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
USD GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at USD is 3.43. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.13–3.43 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.63–3.83.USD GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.43 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.23 – 3.42
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.03 – 3.22
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.02
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Undergraduate admission requires no essay or letters of recommendation; test-optional with self-reported scores accepted
- Public University Direct Admissions Program offers automatic admission to seniors at Aberdeen, Sioux Falls, or Spearfish public high schools (2.6+ GPA = full auto-admit; 2.0-2.6 GPA = auto-admit to associate programs only)
- Law Honors Scholars program guarantees law school admission to high school seniors who apply to and complete USD's undergraduate Honors Program (requires 27+ ACT)
- Out-of-state Knudson Law applicants scoring 150+ on the LSAT qualify for in-state tuition for all three years of law school
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at USD
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from University of South Dakota's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of South Dakota (USD) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at USD. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into USD Without SAT or ACT?
USD considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of South Dakota Average SAT Score: 1122
Admitted students at University of South Dakota average a 1122 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1122 — Less Competitive
A 1122 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1330 SAT or 25 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of South Dakota allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1110? A retake is worth it at USD. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 610 | 540 | 680 |
| SAT Reading | 610 | 570 | 650 |
| SAT Composite | 1122 | 1110 | 1330 |
A score under 1110 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1330+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into University of South Dakota (USD) with a 1350 SAT?
At 1350, your SAT is squarely in USD's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
University of South Dakota (USD) ACT Requirements
USD's admitted students average an ACT of 22.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 22 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 22 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 22 | 18 | 25 |
| ACT English | 22 | 18 | 25 |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 19 | 25 |
Can I get into University of South Dakota with a 25 ACT?
At 25, you're in the top quarter of USD's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, USD weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for USD
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
USD provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
If law school is a long-term goal, apply to the Law Honors Scholars program as a high school senior
USD offers guaranteed admission to the Knudson School of Law for high school seniors who apply to and participate in the Honors Program as undergrads, provided they have strong grades and at least a 27 ACT - genuinely rare for a public university to guarantee at the undergraduate application stage. If law is your goal, build your Honors Program application around this specific pathway from day one rather than treating law school as a separate future decision.
Use South Dakota's Public University Direct Admissions Program if you're a senior at a participating district
Seniors at public high schools in Aberdeen, Sioux Falls, or Spearfish can receive automatic admission to USD without a traditional application: 2.6+ GPA means full automatic admission, while 2.0-2.6 GPA grants automatic admission specifically to associate degree programs (bachelor's-seekers in that band still need the traditional process). Confirm your district's participation and your specific GPA band before assuming which admission track applies to you.
If pursuing the Knudson School of Law directly, know the LSAT timing quirks that affect tuition
USD accepts June LSAT scores for that same admission year (with applications due by July 1), and out-of-state students scoring 150+ on the LSAT specifically qualify for in-state tuition for all three years - a real, LSAT-score-triggered financial benefit that doesn't apply to GRE or JD Next applicants. If you're out-of-state and law-bound, prioritizing the LSAT over the GRE has a direct tuition consequence.
Submit the optional supplemental law school essay if you have a genuine personal narrative
USD Law invites (but doesn't require) an additional essay addressing prompts around equity, motivation for legal education, or distinguishing qualities. Since it's optional and most applicants skip it, a well-crafted response is a real differentiator in a pool where baseline materials look similar.
Expert Insight:
Because USD's undergraduate acceptance rate sits near 98% with no required essay or recommendation letters, applicants sometimes assume every path through USD is similarly low-friction - including the path to USD's own professional schools. That's not the case for the Knudson School of Law: meeting all minimum requirements (90 credits, testing, coursework) explicitly does not guarantee admission, and the Law Honors Scholars guarantee only applies to students who secure it as high school seniors, not to current undergrads mid-degree.
USD Profile
Full Name
University of South Dakota (USD)
City
Vermillion
State
South Dakota
ZIP Code
57069-2390
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a USD Degree Worth It?
Whether USD is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $53,800, and graduates see a 2.56% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from USD Cost?
Listed tuition runs $23,544/year at USD. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $19,155.
At USD, 18% receive a Pell Grant and 41.8% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming USD on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a USD Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, USD graduates report a median income of $51,926, about 28% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of South Dakota. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
| University of Saint Joseph | West Hartford, CT | 1100 | NA |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of South Dakota. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of South Dakota. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
Degree Programs at USD
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About USD Admissions
University of South Dakota graduates earn a moderate median salary of $51,926/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at University of South Dakota is relatively affordable, around $23,544/year.
18.0% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. University of South Dakota skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
University of South Dakota's acceptance rate is 99%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted University of South Dakota students is 3.43, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.13 puts you in the standard applicant pool at University of South Dakota. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.03 or below makes admission tougher at University of South Dakota, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
University of South Dakota weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1122, and within the 1110–1330 range, keeps you competitive.
University of South Dakota's deadline is December 15 (International (Spring)). Rolling Admissions applies too, so earlier is always better.
University of South Dakota charges an application fee of 20; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before Freshman Scholarship Priority: 2025/12/01. That's University of South Dakota's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
Explore Other Options
Acceptance Rate of all South Dakota Colleges
Average SAT Score of South Dakota Colleges
Average ACT Score
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ACT Score Wise Best Colleges
Rolling Admissions Colleges in South Dakota