South Dakota State: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Officially South Dakota State University · Brookings, South Dakota · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
Ranked #250 (tie) in National Universities; Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #177 (tie), Computer Science #276 (tie), Nursing #115 (tie), Economics #201 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set published by South Dakota State University (see the source).
Is South Dakota State a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places South Dakota State against it in about a minute. No account needed.
South Dakota State is a public university in Brookings, South Dakota that admits about 98% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $19,841 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Animal Sciences and Mechanical Engineering, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 1.6 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
South Dakota State is a public institution located in Brookings, South Dakota. For the most recent reporting cycle, South Dakota State admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 98%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1120 and an ACT composite around 22. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $19,841 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for South Dakota State?
South Dakota State has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
Compare South Dakota State with the other schools on your list
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SAT and ACT scores South Dakota State typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 530–630, with an EBRW midpoint near 540. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 19–25. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | n/a |
| 50th percentile | 1120 |
| 75th percentile | n/a |
| 25th percentile | 19 |
| 50th percentile | 22 |
| 75th percentile | 25 |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • SDSU admits on ONE of: ACT 18/SAT 970, HS GPA 2.6+, top 60% rank, or Smarter Balanced level 3. Test needed only if GPA/rank fall short.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on South Dakota State's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
How much does South Dakota State actually cost?
Published tuition is $9,299 for in-state students and $12,809 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $10,176 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $19,841 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 17% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $19,841 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
Application deadlines and early decision data for South Dakota State
Most popular majors at South Dakota State
The most popular undergraduate programs at South Dakota State, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Animal Sciences and Mechanical Engineering. Across all programs, South Dakota State confers roughly 917 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program report a median income of about $72,893 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 336 | $72,893 |
| Animal Sciences | 117 | $56,528 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 95 | $85,669 |
| Biology, General | 89 | $58,408 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | 85 | n/a |
| Psychology, General | 73 | $48,296 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | 62 | n/a |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 60 | $48,955 |
Is South Dakota State safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), South Dakota State disclosed 15 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 1.6 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 1 violent offenses and 11 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
Other colleges in South Dakota parents ask about
Colleges that admit at a similar rate
- Emporia State University98% acceptance · Kansas
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs97% acceptance · Colorado
- Northeastern State University100% acceptance · Oklahoma
- University of Wyoming97% acceptance · Wyoming
- University of Maine97% acceptance · Maine
- University of Mississippi97% acceptance · Mississippi
- University of Nevada-Las Vegas96% acceptance · Nevada
Next steps for South Dakota State
Common questions parents ask about South Dakota State
What GPA do I need for South Dakota State?
South Dakota State has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What SAT or ACT score does South Dakota State typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 530–630, with an EBRW midpoint near 540. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 19–25.
How much does South Dakota State actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at South Dakota State after grants and scholarships is $19,841 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $9,299 and $12,809 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is South Dakota State realistic for my child?
South Dakota State admits 98% of applicants, so 530–630 SAT Math is target range and below 530 is a reach. Then check the $19,841 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at South Dakota State?
South Dakota State accepts about 98% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is South Dakota State test-optional?
Yes. South Dakota State is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered. SDSU admits on ONE of: ACT 18/SAT 970, HS GPA 2.6+, top 60% rank, or Smarter Balanced level 3. Test needed only if GPA/rank fall short.
Is South Dakota State a public or private school, and where is it located?
South Dakota State is a public institution located in Brookings, South Dakota.
What are the most popular majors at South Dakota State?
The largest undergraduate majors at South Dakota State by annual graduates are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Animal Sciences and Mechanical Engineering. The school awards about 917 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is South Dakota State safe? What is its campus crime rate?
South Dakota State reported 15 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 1.6 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by South Dakota State University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers