Applying to USD

Acceptance Rate	SAT Median
98.95%	1,195

University of South Dakota's acceptance rate is 98.95% for 2023-2024 admission. A total of 5,349 students applied and 5,293 were admitted to the school. Judging by the acceptance rate, it is relatively easy (higher than the national average) to get into USD.

USD's acceptance rate places 9th out of 11 South Dakota colleges with competitive admission.

The median SAT score is 1,195 and the ACT score is 22 at USD. USD's SAT score ranks 2nd out of 5 South Dakota colleges that consider SAT score for admission.

To apply to USD, the SAT and ACT score is not required, but considered for admission. In addition, english proficiency test score is also considered (required).

USD Admission Trends USD SAT Trends SD Acceptance Rate Get Info Compare

Admission Statistics

For the academic year 2023-24, the acceptance rate of University of South Dakota is 98.95% and the yield (also known as enrollment rate) is 25.68%. 1,964 men and 3,385 women applied to USD and 1,925 men and 3,368 women students were accepted.

Among them, 451 men and 908 women were enrolled in the school (Fall 2023). The following table and chart show the admission statistics including the number of applicants, acceptance rate, and yield at USD.

Acceptance Rate and Admission Statistics at USD
	Total	Men	Women	Another Gender	Gender Unknown
Applicants	5,349	1,964	3,385	0	0
Admitted	5,293	1,925	3,368	0	0
Enrolled	1,359	451	908	0	0
Acceptance Rate	98.95%	98.01%	99.50%	-	-
Yield	25.68%	23.43%	26.96%	-	-

Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: December 11, 2023)

University of South Dakota 2023 Acceptance Rate By Gender chart

SAT and ACT Score Distribution

In 2024, 30 students (2% of enrolled) have submitted their SAT scores and 998 students (73%) have submitted their ACT scores for seeking degrees at USD.

The median SAT score is 1,195 with 610 SAT EBRW and 585 SAT Math median scores. The 75^th percentile SAT score of EBRW (Evidence-Based Reading / Writing) is 650 and the 25^th percentile is 570. The SAT Math 75^th percentile score is 680 and 25^th percentile is 540 .

The median ACT composite score is 22 with 75^th percentile score of 25 and 25^th percentile score of 19 at USD. The median ACT math score is 22 and the ACT English score is 22.

The SAT and ACT scores at University of South Dakota are similar to the average score compared to similar colleges (SAT: 1,121, ACT: 23 - public research university with high research activity).

2024 SAT and ACT Scores at USD
	25^th Percentile	50^th Percentile (Median)	75^th Percentile
SAT Total	1110	1195	1330
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing	570	610	650
SAT Math	540	585	680
ACT Composite	19	22	25
ACT Math	18	22	25
ACT English	18	22	25

Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: December 11, 2023)

University of South Dakota 2023 SAT and ACT Score Chart

First-year Enrollment by Gender and Enrolled Type

For the academic year 2023-24, total 1,359 first-year students enrolled in USD. The proportion of full-time students is 97.65% and part-time students is 2.35%.

By gender, the proportion of men students is 33.19% and women students is 66.81%.

The following table and chart visualize the first-year students by gender and enrolled type at USD.

First-Year Students by Gender and Enrolled Type at USD
	Total	Men	Women
Total	1,359	451	908
Full-time	1,327	441	886
Part-time	32	10	22

Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: December 11, 2023)

Application Requirements

It requires to submit High School Record (or Transcript), Completion of College Preparatory Program, and English Proficiency Test to its applicants.

The SAT and ACT test score is not reqired, but considered in admission process at USD. The english proficiency test is reqired .

The next table summarizes the application requirements to apply University of South Dakota.

For more admission information such as minimum GPA and deadlines, see its online application page .

USD Admission Requirements
High School GPA	Considered, if submitted
High School Rank	Considered, if submitted
High School Record (or Transcript)	Required
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required
Recommendations	Considered, if submitted
Formal Demonstration of Competencies	Not Considered
SAT / ACT	Considered, if submitted
English Proficiency Test	Required
Other Test (Wonderlic,WISC-III,etc)	Not Considered
Work experience	Not Considered
Personal statement or essay	Not Considered
Legacy status	Not Considered

General Admissions Information

The application fee is $20 for undergraduate schools and $35 for graduate schools of University of South Dakota. The next table provides general admission information for applying to USD.

Admission Information for Applying to USD
Open Admission Policy	No
Undergraduate Application Fees	$20
Graduate Application Fees	$35
Admission Information	https://www.usd.edu/admissions
Online Application	https://www.usd.edu/Admissions-and-Aid/Apply
Calendar System	Semester
Course for High School Students	Offers within a dual enrollment
Credits Accepted	Advanced placement (AP) Credits
Degree Offered	1-Year Certificate, Associate, Bachelor, Post-Bachelor Certificate, Master, Doctoral (Research), Doctoral (Professional Practice)

Get Admission Information

Applying to USD

Admission Statistics

SAT and ACT Score Distribution

First-year Enrollment by Gender and Enrolled Type

Application Requirements

General Admissions Information

Compare USD in a Variety of Ways