About University of South Dakota

Founded in 1862, University of South Dakota. 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 7,500 full time undergraduate students, and 2,538 full time graduate students.

The University of South Dakota Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 18:1. There are 321 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at University of South Dakota include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate88%
Application Deadline
Application Fee20
SAT Range890-1200
ACT Range20-25

Admissions at USD are considered Less Selective, with ,34% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 32 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

71% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 33% were in the top quarter, and 13% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

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

4%
“We”re apathetic”
27%
“We know about current events and vote”
63%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
6%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
4%
“We save it for the classroom”
15%
“Sometimes, but not often”
56%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
25%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
2%
“I only go out in groups”
37%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
61%
“I feel extremely safe”
4%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
22%
“We bought the gear”
73%
“We live for the big game”
8%
“It”s not really our thing”
10%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
55%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
27%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
2%
“Available in class”
63%
“They keep regular office hours”
35%
“They”re always available”
0%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
6%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
80%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
14%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
2%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
9%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
33%
“We only party on weekends”
57%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
6%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
52%
“There might be people who do”
40%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
2%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
4%
“We”re apathetic”
27%
“We know about current events and vote”
63%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
6%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
4%
“We save it for the classroom”
15%
“Sometimes, but not often”
56%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
25%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
2%
“I only go out in groups”
37%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
61%
“I feel extremely safe”
4%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
22%
“We bought the gear”
73%
“We live for the big game”
8%
“It”s not really our thing”
10%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
55%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
27%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
2%
“Available in class”
63%
“They keep regular office hours”
35%
“They”re always available”
0%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
6%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
80%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
14%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
2%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
9%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
33%
“We only party on weekends”
57%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
6%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
52%
“There might be people who do”
40%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
2%
“There”s a huge drug scene”

University of South Dakota REVIEWS

Write a review, Enter to win $1,000 Scholarship
  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    102 Students rated on-campus housing 3.5 stars. 11 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    72 Students rated off-campus housing 3.6 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    103 Students rated campus food 3.1 stars. 10 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    105 Students rated campus facilities 4.1 stars. 32 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    105 Students rated class size 4.3 stars. 46 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    104 Students rated school activities 3.9 stars. 33 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    104 Students rated local services 3.7 stars. 32 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    105 Students rated academics 4.1 stars. 45 % gave the school a 5.0.

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

54 Students rated University of South Dakota

Brielle - 08/31/2023

The University of South Dakota is located in the small town of Vermillion, South Dakota. While the small town life might not be for everyone, this town makes it feel like something unlike I have ever experienced. The entire community supports and cheers for the Coyotes! It is somewhere that you can walk by yourself at night and still feel safe. Some of the buildings on campus have been here since the start, the new facilities and the growth the campus has seen provide students with incredible opportunities and study spots. The professors that are in the counseling department are always there for you and care about your well being. You can find support in the way that you need from professors and staff. And still go to a football game on the weekend. The town is working hard to make this a fun college town and providing good restaurants, cute coffee shops, and a couple cute stores as well.

Jamie - 08/19/2021

Poor communication, Lack in richness, Administration has some major problems

Maria

I love it here, it really feels like home to me. When you walk around campus and people smile and hold doors for you. There are plenty of opportunities for jobs and people are almost always available for help somewhere. The campus definitely has a homey feel to it.

Hannah

The University of South Dakota provides a unique experience for students to grow socially and academically. In a relatively isolated state, the University provides ample amount of opportunities for students to work, intern, and participate in meaningful organizations. Located in Vermillion, South Dakota, many would assume the University to be out-of-touch and culturally lacking, which is not entirely false. The Midwestern, agriculturally-minded population permeating the University and Vermillion can be a bit daunting to those not familiar with the lifestyle, but the University faculty and personnel are welcoming and supportive. For those feeling isolated or culturally withdrawn, there is the renowned National Music Museum, student art galleries, theater, and community organizations that welcome student involvement. Overall, the University is a leader in its state and ensures that students are supported and works hard to provide stimulating experiences that students will take into their futures.

University of South Dakota FAQS

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

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for University of South Dakota is 88%. 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?

    As a current working professional running the Career Center at a high school, I help hopeful seniors with college choice, scholarships, part-time jobs, and financial responsibility. My previous, teenage self was not so qualified. I was a first generation college bound student who had inflated ideas of my own capabilites. I was going to be a neonatal surgeon just because it sounded good. The truth is, I was much better at delving into a philosophical discussion and writing short stories and poetry, and though interested, I had my limits with the hard sciences. Knowing all of this now, I would take a very long time to discuss ego and its relatedness to fiscal responsibility and academic choice. I would have steered myself in a more artistic direction than that of the hard sciences, though I do believe personal study in the sciences is incredibly important.

    Read all  85 answers
  3. Describe the students at your school.

    Very friendly people who have a one sided view of the world.

    Read all  23 answers
  4. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    Getting scholarships at my school seems to be one of the hardest things I have done. I am a straight A student, and yet all the scholarships I apply for, I never hear back. Also the food on campus is less than satisfactory; it is also a working progress.

    Read all  19 answers
  5. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    Since I'm going to the University of South Dakota through the University Center in Sioux Falls, the campus is way smaller than a normal college campus. The most frusterating thing about my school is not having enough space to sit where I want to do my work in between classes.

    Read all  17 answers
  6. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    That I would be surrounded by such talented people. Also that Greeks run this campus and it's not a bad thing. People on this campus are fun and it's not the worst place to go.

    Read all  17 answers
  7. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    It is just the right size so you know plenty of people on campus. It is a rural area but close enough to larger areas so you can shop and find recreational activities. it has a very close knit greek community. it is also very diverse in the majors.... there are no really highly emphasized majors

    Read all  17 answers
  8. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Anyone who doesn't mind a small town feel. USD is a nice size, not too terribly small but you won't get lost in a crowd either.

    Read all  16 answers
  9. What's unique about your campus?

    The best thing here at USD is the class size. I like having smaller classes because then you get to work closer to the teacher and have a closer realtionship with them, so when you have a question about something, you feel comfortable going to them and then they also know your name. Also another nice thing is if the class is a larger lecture hall, then there is a teacher's aid that you can go to for extra help, and they help reteach lessons you have questions on.

    Read all  14 answers
  10. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    The Univeristy of South Dakota has a very liberal feel as well as a diverse student demographic based on the variety of majors that are offered. There is a blend of artistic and theatrical students as well as students in medicine or law programs, to psycology, education, and business majors. In my experience, the faculty is definitely helpful and you can tell how much the professors care about the education of their students. Although it is a large school, I think that the size still feels comfortable and there is room for individuals to shine. I will admit that, although rarely, the large number of students can be inconvienent in terms of waiting in line for certain resources (food/drinks, library computers/printers, student services, etc.). While on campus, I spend most of my time etiher in the Muenster University Center, when I feel like being social, or at the library to study. I also frequent the wellness center, which is fairly new and very nice. At USD, there is a lot of school pride and you can easily see it in the sports teams and the soroities/fraternities.The town of Vermillion is small and quaint, but it has a unique atmosphere unlike other small towns in the area. It is also nice that the town completely revolves around the university and students are recepted quite well within the community. There are several stores including a Wal-Mart, a few fast food chains, and several local restaurants to enjoy and if you get bored with all that there are two much bigger cities located less than an hour away. One downfall that many students will complain about is the cold winters...and I mean COLD! Otherwise, I think USD is a great place to be and I have had an amazing time so far.

    Read all  13 answers
  11. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    USD is a great place to be, a wonderful community of students and professors all working toward the common goal of good education and a truly positive college experience. USD has an awesome Greek Community, record breaking athletic teams, and great job placement after graduation. Go Coyotes!

    Read all  12 answers
  12. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    We are known for our active Greek Life and spirit of volunteerism, as well as our Medical and Law schools.

    Read all  11 answers
  13. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Someone who is used to city life and enjoys it shouldn't attend this school. There is a lot going on, but it's in a small town so there aren't limitless possibilities. Also, it gets very cold and the walks to class are treacherous, so students from warmer climates might hate it.

    Read all  11 answers
  14. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    One association/organization that seems very important at USD (as compared to other schools in the surrounding area) is Greek life. There are several fraternities and sororities on campus, and pledging at the beginning of the school year is a big deal. Stereotypes that exist about greek life are that different houses become too cliquey, or isolate themselves from others. As a non-greek, I have several friends in fraternities and sororities, and have found that most members aren't as isolated as rumored to be. The same kind of cliquey stereotypes also holds true for athletes at USD. The general stereotype is that athletes pretty much keep to themselves and to others in their organization. This holds true for a few select sports, but often many athletes still branch out and get involved with other students and clubs on campus.

    Read all  10 answers
  15. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    I brag about our beautiful campus, our food, and the overall social life!

    Read all  10 answers
  16. What are the academics like at your school?

    At USD, I feel that the majority of professors take initiative to get to know their students as well as the unique learning pace that each class will need within the semester. Every professor I’ve ever had has taken the time and effort to remember my name and connect with me, as well as the other students, over the subject matter and any questions I may have had. Personally, I like to make sure that I visit with each professor outside of class; I need the one-on-one attention to make sure I understand the subject. Also, the professors here take notice of who comes to office hours and who does not, and sometimes it can make all the difference when they evaluate final grades and you are sitting between an ‘A’ and a ‘B’. Just like high school, you will see some students who love to participate in class and others who do not speak a word unless forced to, or others who will resist participation and dismiss the importance of what is going on in class to look cool. I would say that you find less of this reluctance to participate once you’ve taken all of your general classes and move on to the classes directly associated with your field of study. Class sizes tend to decrease in the upper level classes and most people seem to realize the importance of in-class participation in regards to achieving success while attending school. Many students seem to be concerned about their personal levels of achievement and I feel that students here are very competitive. The amount of time spent studying really depends on the individual and their intended major/class. In the library or often in the commons, you will find a large number of students studying, especially during finals week! I am an English major specializing in Creative Writing, as well as a Theatre minor. In my experience at USD, the English department seems very well put together and the professors solidly know their subjects. They also offer opportunities such as writing workshops, guest writers, internships, and other job offers related to the field. Within the Theatre department, I am also offered many opportunities and just within the past semester the faculty within the department has helped me realize my potential as well as offered personal guidance on how to achieve my specific career goal. I feel like I am not just taught certain skills in these areas simply just to learn them, but that I am directly taught to use them in the job fields which they are related. The most unique class I have ever taken at USD was Introduction to Acting. The class dynamic was set up quite differently from that of other classes and the traditional learning atmosphere was strongly infused with creativity that pushed new boundaries for me. We started each class with yoga and tai chi warm-ups to relax ourselves and prepare for preforming with each other. The class size was less than half of all other classes I have taken and there was also a large trust factor amongst all the students participating within the class. My least favorite class would have to be Shakespeare, not to say I didn’t enjoy what I have learned from the class or that the teacher wasn’t great, but the difficulty of the class kept me up late nights and the amount of work that I had to do far surpassed that of my other classes. One of my favorite classes at USD was an American Literature class that was taught survey style with a large number of students. The professor did an amazing job of keeping the subject material interesting and also made many connections that pertain to modern day life and especially to the life of a college student. He used humor and common interests to encourage deep thoughts about what we had read that semester and he presented daily power-point presentations to remember the key concepts of his lectures. The subject was not necessarily interesting for me, but this professor found a way to entertain his students and make us find ways in which the works discussed were fascinating when closely examined.

    Read all  8 answers
  17. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    Vermillion can easily be considered a ‘party town’ and many students drink on the weekends (and sometimes during the week) at house parties or downtown at the bars. I would say that there is an equal split between students that spend their time engaged strictly with academic activities, or at least constructive activities and those who party like a rock star every chance they get. If I am awake at 2 A.M. on a Tuesday, I can guarantee that I am working on homework for the next day’s class. ?If you wanted to do something besides drink on a Saturday night, there are usually a few bands playing at random locations, open-mike nights, two movie theatres that give student discounts, bowling, or a number of varying activities put on at the dorms and student centers (video games, arts and crafts, team games, etc.). Most students that want to stay connected or interact with others will leave their dorm doors open. Although I don’t live in the dorms anymore, I hear that almost everyone leaves their door open while they are there. Greek life is a huge deal on campus, with over 30 fraternities/sororities to become a part of and each one supporting a system of life-long friendships (I know from friends involved with several different Greek houses). Athletic events gain the most popularity of all campus activities, especially football, but theatre productions are definitely a must-see among the USD community. Depending on the guest speaker, there will be an influx of students attending the event, especially when it is mandatory for credit in a particular class. In my experience, I have found the guest speakers to be very interesting, especially when related to my field of study. Personally, I spend most of my time off campus working or hanging out with friends at some of the previously mentioned hang-outs. I met my closest friends not on campus, but through my job at a local restaurant. Most of my co-workers are students as well, but I would probably never have met them through classes alone. In fact, with the help of a friend from work, I started the Improv Club on campus last semester. I love being a part of something I am so interesting in and we always have so much fun with it. We meet once a week for a couple hours and basically just play improv games and learn about the craft from my co-founder, who teaches us what he knows about improv from his experience. Hopefully by the end of the year we will be ready to perform for an audience! It is one of my proudest accomplishments since I have been at USD and I have formed many important friendships since we started the group.

    Read all  5 answers
  18. Why did you decide to go to this school?

    I decided to go to this school because I had heard about it's fantastic reputation from several individuals ranging from those a few years older than me to those my parent's age. I wanted a school that I knew would provide me with the education I needed to get into professional school, and at an affordable tuition cost. But the ultimate reason I chose USD was because of how I felt talking to students and faculty during tours and orientation. I've always felt like a unique, valued individual at USD, and always felt that my advisors and professors genuinely cared about my education and well-being. I desired to attend a school where I wouldn't be considered just one of the masses, and I never felt that way at USD.

    Read all  3 answers
  19. What do students complain about most?

    Boredom. Boredom is by far the most cited topic when people complain about Vermillion or the U. Unfortunately, many of our students feel as if they live in a bit of a bubble. There are many things to do in Yankton, Sioux City, and Sioux Falls, though, and wise students will head out of town once in a while to get a bit of culture or excitement when the summer months come around, especially.

    Read all  1 answers
  20. Describe the dorms.

    The dorms at USD are a little small and kind of tight, but there's just enough room to share with your roommate. Though the rooms are small, the halls are kept very clean, and the most popular/largest dorms on campus also happen to be the newest. North Complex, which contains four freshman dorm halls, has been around for only 15 years, and contains a dining hall as well as a convenience store. Quite a bit of traffic goes through North Complex, and students generally keep their doors open to mingle with others on their floor/hall. After freshmen year, many students sign up to live in USD's newest dorms, Coyote Village. The complex has only been finished for a couple of years, and has an excellent location next to the Dakota Dome as well as the Wellness Center, and contains a convenience store, small movie theater, and coffee shop within the complex.

    Read all  1 answers

Student Body

Students

62%

female

38%

male

7,500

Total Undergrad Enrollment

2,538

Total Grad Students

36%

Out-Of-State

61%

In-State

3%

International

Organizations

132

Student Organizations

8

Fraternities

8

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

22%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
2%
% Asian/Pacific Islander
1%
% Black or African-American
3%
% Hispanic/Latino
3%
% White or Caucasian
84%

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.

95% of students attending University of South Dakota receive some sort of financial aid. 29% were awarded federal grants. While 67% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$11,688

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,200

Books and Supplies

$7,535

Room and Board

20,423

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$13,396
$30 - $48K
$14,868
$48 - $75K
$17,561
$75 - $110K
$18,592
$110K & UP
$18,663

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.

FIND SCHOLARSHIPS

Find your perfect match from over 3 million scholarships!

START YOUR SEARCH

CAN YOU GET INTO University of South Dakota?

Complete your profile to see if this school is a fit for you, and what your chances of admitance are.

START YOUR SEARCH