South Dakota Acceptance Rate

So, you’re thinking about applying to the University of South Dakota, and you’re curious about your chances of admission. Well, we’re here to help! Of course, there are a lot of factors in the admissions process, and it’s impossible to accurately predict whether you’ll be admitted or not. However, the most important factors in the admissions game are your GPA and test scores. So, using those as a measure, we can give you an estimate of your chances.

With an acceptance rate of 88%, admission to South Dakota is not incredibly competitive. Based on our analysis, to have a good chance of being admitted, you need to be at the top of your class and have an SAT score of close to 1100, or an ACT score of around 23.

Not quite there? Try taking our SAT prep course and You’ll still have a chance of getting in, but it’s in the single digits. Let’s take a closer look at South Dakota admission statistics.

South Dakota Admissions Statistics

South Dakota’s acceptance rate in 2017 was 9%. For students applying to the class of 2021, out of 3,607 applicants, South Dakota admitted about 3,179. The average GPA of admitted applicants was 3.37, the average ACT score was 23, and the average SAT score was 1110.

For students who took the ACT, the 25th percentile score of successful applicants was 20, and the 75th percentile score was 25.

For students who took the SAT, the 25th percentile score was 950. The 75th percentile score was 1130.

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If you’re somewhere in the middle of these numbers, remember that a high test score can compensate for a slightly lower GPA, and vice versa. If you’re at the lower end, it helps if you’re a diverse applicant, the child of an alum, or have incredible personal achievements. Still, at the 25th percentile, your chances of getting in are in the low single digits.

Other aspects of your application, such as athletics, extracurricular and recommendations, are important, but will likely only make a difference for admission if you’re in the 75th percentile range for your GPA and SAT/ACT scores.

As we said, admission to South Dakota is not incredibly competitive. However, even if South Dakota is your dream school, and even if you’re in the 75th percentile, you’ll still want to make sure you apply to a wide variety of schools to ensure you’ll gain admission somewhere.

Generally, you should have at least three safety schools (where you are in the 75th percentile of GPA/test scores), three reach schools (where you are in the 25th percentile of GPA/test scores) and three target schools (where you are near the average for GPA/test scores) on your list.

OK, so you’ve decided to apply. We took a look at South Dakota’s admissions requirements to help you get everything in order.

South Dakota Application Requirements

To apply to South Dakota, you’ll need to fill out the Online Application, submit an ACT or SAT score, pay the $20 application fee, and submit your high school transcript.

Here’s a full list of application requirements:

• Fill out the Online Application
• Submit an ACT score or SAT score
• pay the $20 application fee
• Submit your high school transcript

The application deadline is rolling, so be sure to contact the Admissions officer for more information.

Have you been admitted to South Dakota? Congratulations! Below is a glimpse of what your classmates will be like.

South Dakota Admitted Students Profile

If you matriculate at South Dakota, you’ll be joining a diverse class, with students from all over the U.S. and the world, and have a chance to study in dozens of fields.

Here are some interesting facts about the recently admitted class:

• Roughly 38% are male and 62% are female
• 2% of students are international

South Dakota has a diverse class, as well, with a large number of people of color. The ethnicities of admitted applicants are:

• International: 11%
• Underrepresented minority: 0.4%
• Two or more races: 3.4%
• White: 86%

What do these admitted students plan to study? South Dakota offers dozens of majors, and students matriculating there pursue a wide number of subjects. Here is a list of some of the top programs:

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• Business
• Psychology
• Biomedical Sciences

Now, how are you going to pay for this?

South Dakota Tuition Figures

At $24,608, South Dakota’s cost of attendance is high. But, don’t panic! Most incoming students receive some form of financial aid, and the average award is $5,905.

Here’s a fuller look at South Dakota tuition and financial aid in 2017:

• Total budget: $24,608
• Average financial aid package: $5,905

Now, what is life like at South Dakota? Let’s take a look.

South Dakota Location

The campus itself is located in Vermillion, South Dakota, approximately 63 miles southwest of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Remember, you’re going to South Dakota for its excellent academics! Below is a look at what academic life will be like.

South Dakota Academics

South Dakota has dozens of majors. Some of the school’s more interesting majors are:

• Anthropology
• Business
• Computer and Information Sciences
• Dental Hygiene
• Economics
• Finance
• Geology
• Hospital and Health Care Facilities Administration
• International/Global Studies
• Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Marketing
• Philosophy
• Rhetoric and Composition
• Secondary Education and Teaching
• Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling
• Visual and Performing Arts

Now, let’s take a look at life outside the classroom at South Dakota.

Student Life at South Dakota

South Dakota has hundreds of student organizations, covering academic interests, creative and performing arts, cultural and racial initiatives, gender and sexuality affinity groups, government and politics interests, and various media and publications.

Here’s a sampling of South Dakota’s student activities:

• Anime ‘Nd Incredible Manga Enthusiasts
• Archery Club
• Association for the Advancement of Women’s Rights
• Beacom Consulting Group
• Care for Critters
• Coyote Crazies
• Diversity in Media and Entertainment
• Exercise Science Club
• Food Organization for the Optimization of Diets
• Games@USD
• History Club
• International Club
• Lost and Found
• Mock Trial
• NetSec
• PAVE-USD
• Political Science League

Are you an athlete? South Dakota’s got plenty of options for you.

South Dakota Athletics

South Dakota offers a large number of intercollegiate sports, with extensive varsity, as well as club, offerings, for both men and women. So, if you’re not up to varsity level, remember there are plenty of club and intramural sports to try out for, too.

South Dakota’s sports include:

• Basketball
• Football
• Cross-Country
• Swimming & Diving
• Golf
• Track & Field

Who might you become with a South Dakota degree? Let’s take a look at some well-known and successful alums:

Notable Alums

South Dakota has produced politicians, business tycoons, entertainers, musicians, media figures, and leaders in dozens of other fields.

Here’s a list of some particularly well-known alums:

• USA Today founder Al Neuharth
• News anchor Tom Brokaw
• US Senator John Thune
• Author Greg Mortenson
• Mathematician Anna Johnson Pell Wheeler
• Author Pete Dexter
• Activist Faith Spotted Eagle
• South Dakota governor Dennis Daugaard
• TV host Pat O’Brien

And this is only a partial list!

Remember!

Getting into South Dakota is not very competitive. Don’t despair if you get a no. If you have a strong GPA and high test scores, you have a great chance of getting into at least one of the more competitive schools. And if you don’t, remember: where you go is NOT who you are. If you work hard, you’ll end up at a school that’s right for you, and still get a great education.

If you need to boost your GPA or test scores before application time rolls around, you should consider signing up for a course with Prep Expert. We offer one-on-one tutoring and classes, both in-person and online, at locations throughout the United States.

Our expert teachers and tutors will not only share with you tried and true methods for improving your score, but also help you correct deficiencies in any subject that you’re having difficulty with—English, Writing, Mathematics or Science.

Additionally, online classes can be watched On Demand, so if you miss a class due to your busy schedule, you can catch it online later. We have helped hundreds of students get the scores they need to attend the school of their dreams.

For more test strategy, college admissions, and scholarship application tips sign up for our FREE class happening right now!