Admissions
Getting in, fall 2025
U. South Dakota admits about 10 in 10 applicants (99%). That puts it in the "Open" tier, more selective than 5% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (98% and 99%).
Applicants from South Dakota and from other states were admitted at similar rates (100% and 99%).
$20 to apply
Grants credit for AP exams
Yield
19% of admitted students enroll, in the typical range nationally.
No wait list
Applying early
Doesn't offer early decision or early action
Where you stand
How U. South Dakota reads a record
The high school record and a college-prep program are required; GPA and class rank are considered. 38% of first-years had a 3.75 or higher. Scores aren't read. Recommends 2 years of foreign language and 4 of math. See the years by subject
What they look at
- High school GPA
- Considered
- High school record
- Required
- Class rank
- Considered
- College-prep program
- Required
- Recommendations
- Considered
- Essay
- Not considered
- Legacy status
- Not considered
- Work experience
- Not considered
- Demonstration of competencies
- Not considered
- English proficiency test
- Required
- Other tests
- Not considered
Transferring in
97% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 99% of first-year applicants
691 applied · 671 admitted · 312 enrolled
Minimum college GPA: 2.0
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by August 30 for fall 2026.
- $100 housing deposit, due September 1, non-refundable.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: 1 year.
What you'll need in high school
Requires a high school diploma; accepts the GED.
Recommends a college-preparatory program in high school.
| Years of | Required | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | 4 |
| Math | 3 | 4 |
| Science (lab: 3 / 3) | 3 | 4 |
| Foreign language | 0 | 2 |
| Social studies | 3 | 3 |
| Total | 14 | 18 |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science.
Recent change: Started requiring an English proficiency test in fall 2023.
Recent change: Became test-blind, for students entering in fall 2027.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2025 first-years
First-years' high school GPA
Average GPA 3.47
High schools grade differently, and colleges recalculate or weight GPAs their own way, so compare this college only with itself.
First-years by high school GPA (4.0 scale)
- 4.011%
- 3.75–3.9927%
- 3.50–3.7418%
- 3.25–3.4915%
- 3.00–3.2412%
- below 3.017%
The middle half had GPAs of 3.00–3.99.
All nine bands
| GPA | All |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 10.8% |
| 3.75–3.99 | 27.3% |
| 3.50–3.74 | 18.3% |
| 3.25–3.49 | 15.1% |
| 3.00–3.24 | 11.5% |
| 2.50–2.99 | 12.3% |
| 2.0–2.49 | 3.7% |
| 1.0–1.99 | 1.0% |
| below 1.0 | 0.0% |
18% were in the top tenth of their high school class, 39% in the top quarter, of the 76% whose high school reported a rank.
Source:University of South Dakota Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1220 on the SAT, 50 points above the median for colleges that report scores.
Not considered
Scores aren't considered, even if you send them. For students entering in fall 2027.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Score bands
48% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 18–23.
37% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 18–23.
42% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 18–23.
Shares of the 58% of first-years who sent an ACT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
submitted ACT
707 studentsAt least half of students submitted a score, so the ranges are reasonably representative.
Sources:University of South Dakota Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;University of South Dakota Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2027 applicants;University of South Dakota Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;University of South Dakota Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)