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University of South Dakota

Name: Campus Tour
Start: 2026-04-28T10:00:00
Location: University of South Dakota

USD

Vermillion, South Dakota 57069-2390

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Campus Vibe

Health sciencesCollege townSports culture

Known for health sciences

University of South Dakota is a public institution in Vermillion with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 1122, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 5.2K undergraduates with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

61% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $51,926 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $19,155.

Established

1862

Motto

Veritas

Mascot

Charlie Coyote

Type

Public research university

Conference

Summit League for all sports except football

Division

Division I

Campus Visits

30 upcoming visits · Next: Tue, Apr 14 · Campus Tour

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99%Acceptance

1122SAT Avg

5,239Students

14:1Student:Faculty

61%Grad Rate

$51,926Earnings 10yr

$19,155Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

University of South Dakota Launches New Data Science Minor

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tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

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Admissions

Acceptance Rate99.0%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1122

Reading & WritingMid: 575

570650

MathMid: 595

540680

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 22

1925

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

99.0%

Trend

SAT Avg

1122

Yield Rate

35.0%

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Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$9,432

Tuition (out-of-state)$12,942

Room & Board$9,060

Books & Supplies$1,200

Total Cost of Attendance$23,544

Average Net Price$19,155

Median Debt at Graduation$23,592

Monthly Payment (10yr)$250

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$13,687

$30–48K$16,400

$48–75K$18,608

$75–110K$21,259

$110K+$21,432

Financial Intel

Avg Net Price

$19,155

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

5800.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$17,500

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Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

Peer Average

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

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Programs (141)

Student Life

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Student Body

Undergrads

5,239

Gender Split

65% / 35%

Women / Men

First Generation

24%

Pell Grant Recipients

18%

Race & Ethnicity

White 80%

Black 4%

Hispanic 6%

Asian 1%

Two+ 3%

Int'l 4%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate61.4%

Freshman Retention80.0%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$46,290

8 Years$51,509

10 Years$51,926

10-Year Earnings by Gender

Women

$44,200

Men

$58,300

Rankings

U.S. News

#273

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Forbes

#493

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Wall Street Journal

#29

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Washington Monthly

#284

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More About This School

Rankings

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History & Fun Facts

•History The University of South Dakota was founded in 1862 by the Dakota Territorial Legislature which authorized the establishment of the University at Vermillion.
•Ephraim Epstein served as the first president and primary faculty member in the institution that opened in loaned space in downtown Vermillion.
•Before 1883 ended, the university had moved into Old Main, and the first public board was appointed to govern the institution.
•Enrollment increased to 69 students by the end of 1883, and, by the time South Dakota became the 40th state in 1889, the university boasted an enrollment of 500 students.
•The school's name was updated in 1891 to reflect the division of the Dakota Territory, becoming the University of South Dakota.

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Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

90Average

Estimated from SD state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Minneapolispop. 430K

237 mi(411 min)

Kansas Citypop. 500K

283 mi(491 min)

St. Louispop. 290K

454 mi(787 min)

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Getting There

Nearest Airports

MSP Minneapolis-St Paul235 mi

MCI Kansas City267 mi

STL St Louis442 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1311 mi · ~37h 52m drive

New York, NY1186 mi · ~34h 16m drive

Hartford, CT1238 mi · ~35h 46m drive

Providence, RI1300 mi · ~37h 33m drive

Albany, NY1172 mi · ~33h 51m drive

Syracuse, NY1049 mi · ~30h 18m drive

Rochester, NY975 mi · ~28h 10m drive

Buffalo, NY913 mi · ~26h 23m drive

Philadelphia, PA1142 mi · ~32h 59m drive

Pittsburgh, PA888 mi · ~25h 39m drive

Harrisburg, PA1048 mi · ~30h 17m drive

Newark, NJ1178 mi · ~34h 2m drive

Washington, DC1071 mi · ~30h 56m drive

Baltimore, MD1083 mi · ~31h 17m drive

Atlanta, GA921 mi · ~26h 36m drive

Charlotte, NC1007 mi · ~29h 5m drive

Raleigh, NC1088 mi · ~31h 26m drive

Miami, FL1509 mi · ~43h 36m drive

Orlando, FL1311 mi · ~37h 52m drive

Tampa, FL1306 mi · ~37h 44m drive

Nashville, TN708 mi · ~20h 27m drive

New Orleans, LA964 mi · ~27h 51m drive

Richmond, VA1088 mi · ~31h 26m drive

Chicago, IL479 mi · ~13h 50m drive

Detroit, MI706 mi · ~20h 24m drive

Minneapolis, MN237 mi · ~6h 51m drive

St. Louis, MO454 mi · ~13h 7m drive

Kansas City, MO283 mi · ~8h 11m drive

Indianapolis, IN596 mi · ~17h 13m drive

Columbus, OH747 mi · ~21h 35m drive

Cleveland, OH784 mi · ~22h 39m drive

Milwaukee, WI457 mi · ~13h 12m drive

Dallas, TX692 mi · ~19h 59m drive

Houston, TX904 mi · ~26h 7m drive

Austin, TX866 mi · ~25h 1m drive

San Antonio, TX927 mi · ~26h 47m drive

Los Angeles, CA1297 mi · ~37h 28m drive

San Francisco, CA1382 mi · ~39h 55m drive

San Diego, CA1301 mi · ~37h 35m drive

Seattle, WA1275 mi · ~36h 50m drive

Portland, OR1285 mi · ~37h 7m drive

Denver, CO469 mi · ~13h 33m drive

Phoenix, AZ1043 mi · ~30h 8m drive

Salt Lake City, UT783 mi · ~22h 37m drive

Honolulu, HI3774 mi · ~109h 2m drive

Upper Midwest / Northeast (cold winters, warm summers)

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Visit Planning

Suggested Itinerary

9:00 AMArrive & park

Visitor parking lot

Free parking with visitor pass

9:30 AMCheck in at Admissions

Admissions Office

10:00 AMInformation session

Welcome Center

45 minutes

11:00 AMCampus tour

Starts at Welcome Center

75 minutes, student-led

12:30 PMLunch

Main Dining Hall

Visitor meal passes available

1:30 PMDepartment visit

Academic buildings

Schedule with department directly

2:30 PMExplore campus independently

Library, student center, residence halls

Nearby Hotels

Mid-Range

Check nearby accommodations

$80-150/night

< 10 mi

Airport Transit

Minneapolis-St Paul (MSP)235 miles

Rental car

353 min$40-60/day

Shuttle/rideshare

470 min$282-470

Kansas City (MCI)267 miles

Rental car

401 min$40-60/day

Shuttle/rideshare

534 min$320-534

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Schools Like This

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Deadline Calendar

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University of South Dakota Application Checklist

0/9 items complete

Common Application or Coalition Application

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Official High School Transcript

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School Report + Counselor Recommendation

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Two Teacher Recommendations

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SAT or ACT Scores (test-optional)Optional

Check current test policy

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University of South Dakota Supplemental EssaysNon-standard

1-3 supplemental essays required

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CSS Profile / FAFSA

Required for financial aid consideration

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Arts Portfolio (if applicable)Non-standardOptional

Required for arts programs

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Interview (recommended)Optional

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Decision Notifications

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SAT Range	Avg Award	Note
1400-1600	$25,000	Academic merit scholarship
1200-1399	$15,000	Dean's scholarship
1000-1199	$8,000	Achievement award