University of South Dakota
#2 Best Bachelor's Programs in South Dakota- Graduation Rate
- 61% C+
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $51,926 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $19,858 C-
- 16% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 99% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 14.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $14.9 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Bachelor's Programs in South Dakota.
Every $1 spent returns $14.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,106,083.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 27% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $14.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- World Rank
- #351-400
- Times Higher Education
- Research Score
- 12/100
- Times Higher Education
Why University of South Dakota Matters
University of South Dakota is a public research university in Vermillion, SD ranked #351-400 in the world by Times Higher Education, and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 5,439
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology
Why students choose University of South Dakota
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 99% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1125–1315. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $19,858 a year after grants and scholarships — 16% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $51,926 ten years after enrolling — 27% above the typical college, against $23,592 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 62% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.72 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 99%, the University of South Dakota in Vermillion is particularly welcoming to students who may not have stellar grades but are eager to pursue their education. This school fits those looking for a supportive environment where they can explore fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, and Education. It’s a solid choice for students who appreciate smaller class sizes and close interactions with faculty.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $51,926 within ten years. That’s a decent starting point, especially for those entering fields like business or health care, where demand is strong. While the graduation rate is 61%, many students find pathways to success in their careers. The affordability of the University of South Dakota also plays a significant role in its appeal, with a net price of $19,858, making it accessible for a wide range of families.
When it comes to the financial aspects, the median debt for graduates is $23,592, which is manageable considering the potential earnings. With 19% of students receiving Pell Grants, there are financial supports in place for those who need them. This institution tends to attract students who thrive in a collaborative environment, value practical learning experiences, and are motivated to succeed despite challenges.
Rankings
- #2 Best Bachelor's Programs in South Dakota
- #2 Best Master's Programs in South Dakota
- #2 Best Business Colleges in South Dakota
- #4 Best Nursing Colleges in South Dakota
- #5 Colleges With the Highest Acceptance Rates
- #5 Best Colleges in South Dakota
- #5 Best Online Colleges in South Dakota
- #7 Most Affordable Colleges in South Dakota
Can I Get In?
How selective University of South Dakota is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of South Dakota? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of South Dakota, located in Vermillion, South Dakota, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 99%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,125. The graduation rate is roughly 61%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 99%
- Retention Rate
- 79%
- SAT Average
- 1125
- ACT Midpoint
- 22
- SAT Range
- 1125–1315
- ACT Range
- 19–25
- Full-Time Faculty
- 65%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,264
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.41
- First-Gen Students
- 24%
- Applicants
- 4,480
- Admitted
- 4,456
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of South Dakota? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of South Dakota is $12,942, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,858. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,921 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,592 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $9,432
- Out-of-State
- $12,942
- Avg Net Price
- $19,858
- Median Debt
- $23,592
- Pell Grant Rate
- 19%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 40%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $14,921
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $15,942
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $18,540
- Family Income $110K+
- $22,193
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of South Dakota Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of South Dakota earn a median of $51,926, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $46,290
- 8 Years
- $51,509
- 10 Years
- $51,926
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.45x
- Earning > $25K
- 71%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (469)
- 43%
- 100% (469)
- 43%
- 100% (469)
- 43%
- 100% (469)
- 43%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is University of South Dakota Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of South Dakota delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $19,858/year ($79,432 total). Graduates earn $51,926 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,185,515 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,106,083 (14.9× your investment). The median debt is $23,592, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 61% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $79,432
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,185,515
- Net Return
- $1,106,083
- ROI Multiple
- 14.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $19,858
- Median Debt
- $23,592
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 61%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does University of South Dakota Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of South Dakota is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.25%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 39600% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 0.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.25%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 0.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 39600.0%
- Share of students
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
- Research Score
- 12/100
- Times Higher Ed
- Academic Influence
- 70/100
- Citation impact (THE)
- Industry Engagement
- 28/100
- Knowledge transfer (THE)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $379,131
Top Programs
The fields University of South Dakota awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Health Professions 28%
- Business & Marketing 20%
- Biology & Biomedical 6%
- Psychology 6%
- Education 6%
- Humanities 5%
- Communications 5%
- Social Sciences 4%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of South Dakota's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of South Dakota? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of South Dakota, located in Vermillion, South Dakota, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 99%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,125. The graduation rate is roughly 61%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of South Dakota? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of South Dakota is $12,942, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,858. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,921 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,592 in federal student loans.
Is University of South Dakota Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of South Dakota earn a median of $51,926, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does University of South Dakota Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of South Dakota is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.25%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 39600% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 0.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder.
How Connected Is University of South Dakota? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of South Dakota. Its economic connectedness score is 1.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
How Research-Intensive Is University of South Dakota? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places University of South Dakota at #351-400 worldwide. Its profile spans a research score of 12/100, teaching at 29/100, and citation impact of 70/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of South Dakota.
- West Texas A & M UniversityCanyon, TX · Close peer51% grad $50,741 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Northern ColoradoGreeley, CO · Close peer51% grad $52,231 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- South Dakota State UniversityBrookings, SD · Close peer61% grad $55,070 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main CampusIndiana, PA · Close peer54% grad $51,019 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Kutztown University of PennsylvaniaKutztown, PA · Close peer54% grad $53,775 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- California State Polytechnic University-HumboldtArcata, CA · Close peer48% grad $47,626 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of South Dakota? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of South Dakota. Its economic connectedness score is 1.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note