What is the acceptance rate at South Dakota State University?

South Dakota State University's acceptance rate is approximately 98% (Brookings, SD), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.

What SAT score do you need for South Dakota State University?

Admitted students at South Dakota State University typically score 1060–1240 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.

How much does South Dakota State University cost?

At South Dakota State University, the average net price (after aid) is about $19,841 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.

How many undergraduates attend South Dakota State University?

South Dakota State University enrolls approximately 9,198 undergraduate students.

Where is South Dakota State University located?

South Dakota State University is located in Brookings, SD.

South Dakota State University: Acceptance Rate, SAT & Cost — QuantAdmit

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South Dakota State University

Brookings, SDpublicsdstate.edu

Acceptance

98%

SAT 25–75

1060–1240

Avg net price

$19,841

Earnings (10 yr)

$55,070

Graduation rate

62%

Admit rate has ranged 86%–99% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.

Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.

South Dakota State University is the state's largest and most comprehensive university, known for its strong agricultural and engineering programs, a near-open admissions policy, and a tight-knit campus culture in the small town of Brookings. With a 98% acceptance rate and average SAT scores around 1140, SDSU prioritizes accessibility while maintaining solid graduation rates for the region.

Admission requirements

Test-optional — scores considered if submitted

Required

High school transcript
Grade point average
Class rank
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)

Considered (not required)

Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)

Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.

More details

Undergrad enrollment: 9,198
In-state tuition: $9,299
Out-of-state tuition: $12,809
Location: Brookings, SD (pop. 24,000)
Acceptance Rate: 98.3%
Most Popular Majors: Health Professions, Agricultural Sciences
First-Year Retention: 75%
Student Organizations: 200+
6-Year Graduation Rate: 60%

Outcomes & value

Median earnings (10 yr): $55,070
Value (earnings ÷ net price): 2.8×
Median debt at graduation: $23,250
Graduation rate: 62%
First-year retention: 84%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr): 76%
Pell (lower-income) share: 39%
First-generation share: 20%
Endowment / student: $29,254

Top-earning majors

Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.

Computer and Information Sciences, General$74,845
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$74,576
Mechanical Engineering$61,322
Civil Engineering$59,124
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$57,860
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician

Campus & location

Campus safety

On-campus violent crimes (2024): 4
Per 1,000 students: 0.43

On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.

Climate

Pleasant days / yr: 89
Summer high: 82°F
Winter low: 10°F
Annual rain: 26.2"
Annual snow: 37"
Natural-hazard risk: Relatively Low

Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.

Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility

Research output

Institutional h-index: 311
Scholarly works: 19,410

Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.

Quick answers

What is the acceptance rate at South Dakota State University?: South Dakota State University's acceptance rate is approximately 98% (Brookings, SD), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for South Dakota State University?: Admitted students at South Dakota State University typically score 1060–1240 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does South Dakota State University cost?: At South Dakota State University, the average net price (after aid) is about $19,841 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend South Dakota State University?: South Dakota State University enrolls approximately 9,198 undergraduate students.
Where is South Dakota State University located?: South Dakota State University is located in Brookings, SD.

Admissions

SDSU is one of the least selective public universities in the region, admitting 98.3% of applicants—effectively an open admissions policy for students meeting basic requirements. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1070-1220 on the SAT or 19-25 on the ACT, with an average high school GPA of 3.57. Minimum requirements include a 2.6 GPA and completion of core coursework (4 years English, 3 years math, etc.). The university has rolling admissions but recommends applying by September 5 for priority consideration.

prepscholar.com bigfuture.collegeboard.org sdstate.edu niche.com

Academics

SDSU's academic strengths lean heavily toward practical, career-oriented programs, with the most popular majors being Health Professions (especially nursing) and Agricultural/Veterinary Sciences. The engineering program receives particular praise for its resources relative to the school's size, supported by recent facility upgrades. The university offers over 200 majors, minors, and specializations through its seven colleges, with notable programs in pharmacy, education, and biology. A approach is emphasized across disciplines, with many programs incorporating internships, research opportunities, or clinical experience.