What South Dakota State costs
South Dakota State University charges $9,299 a year in published tuition and fees for South Dakota residents, about $4,650 a semester, and $12,809 a year for students from other states, about $6,404 a semester. With housing, food, books and other costs, the total cost of attendance for in-state students is $24,636 a year. Students who received grants or scholarships paid $18,125 a year on average after that aid (the average net price). You may pay less if receiving grants or scholarships.
South Dakota State University takes part in the Western Undergraduate Exchange, so students from other western states may pay no more than 150% of in-state tuition. See the full WUE list →
Compare out-of-state tuition at 100 public universities →
Getting into South Dakota State
For fall 2024, South Dakota State University received 7,287 applications and admitted 7,166 students, and 2,441 enrolled as first-years. The middle half of enrolled students who sent SAT scores scored between 1060 and 1240.
What South Dakota State students study
The most common bachelor's degrees at South Dakota State University (class of 2024, first majors only):
| Major | Degrees |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing / Registered Nurse | 315 |
| Business / Managerial Economics | 153 |
| Animal Sciences | 76 |
| Biomedical Sciences | 76 |
| Psychology | 76 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 71 |
| Human Development and Family Studies | 59 |
| Early Childhood Education and Teaching | 58 |
Source: IPEDS Completions, bachelor's degrees awarded in 2023–24.
Colleges like South Dakota State
Smaller public universities with the same campus setting (small town or rural), closest in size and nearest in region:
- University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, Whitewater, Wisconsin: 9,405 undergraduates
- Southern Illinois University–Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois: 8,494 undergraduates
- Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan: 10,035 undergraduates
- Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Michigan: 8,106 undergraduates
- University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, Stevens Point, Wisconsin: 7,306 undergraduates
See more colleges like South Dakota State in the College Filter →
Lists that include South Dakota State
- Smaller Public Universities: 242 Compared
- Division I Colleges: 353 Compared
- Small-Town and Rural Colleges: 176 Compared
- Smaller Public Universities in the Midwest: 58 Compared
- Division I Colleges in the Midwest: 69 Compared
- Small-Town and Rural Colleges in the Midwest: 50 Compared
FAQ
What is South Dakota State University's acceptance rate? 98.3% for fall 2024: 7,166 of 7,287 applicants were admitted.
How much is tuition at South Dakota State University? $9,299 a year for in-state students and $12,809 for out-of-state students, in published tuition and fees before aid. You may pay less if receiving grants or scholarships.
Is South Dakota State University part of WUE? Yes. It is on WICHE's September 2026 list of Western Undergraduate Exchange colleges. Requirements vary by college, so check with South Dakota State University about how to apply and which programs qualify.
How many students go to South Dakota State University? About 9,200 undergraduates (fall 2024).
What SAT scores do South Dakota State University students have? The middle half of enrolled students scored 1060–1240.
What is the campus setting at South Dakota State University? The National Center for Education Statistics classifies its location as a small town or rural area.
Sources
- College Navigator: South Dakota State University (IPEDS, U.S. Department of Education)
- College Scorecard: South Dakota State University
- Campus photo via Wikimedia Commons
