More selective than 0% of South Dakota colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
2% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 73% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose USD over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
We don't have USD's Common Data Set yet, the college's own report of what it weighs in admissions, early decision and waitlist numbers. Work at USD or have its file? Send it to us.
USD SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, USD is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 530 | 620 |
| SAT math | 595 | 695 |
| ACT composite | 19 | 25 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1125 | 1315 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
USD admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 99% | 530–620 | 595–695 | 19–25 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 99% | 570–650 | 540–680 | 19–25 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is USD compared with other South Dakota colleges?
USD has the 10th-lowest acceptance rate of 10 South Dakota colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Augustana University | 68% | 73% | $23,894 |
| 3 | Dakota Wesleyan University | 73% | 48% | $19,735 |
| 4 | South Dakota School of Mines and Technology | 80% | 53% | $20,183 |
| 5 | University of Sioux Falls | 83% | 63% | $21,383 |
| 6 | Dakota State University | 88% | 51% | $21,057 |
| 7 | Northern State University | 93% | 49% | $15,812 |
| 8 | Black Hills State University | 96% | 43% | $15,911 |
| 9 | South Dakota State University | 98% | 62% | $19,841 |
| 10 | University of South Dakota | 99% | 60% | $19,858 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All South Dakota colleges →
Who enrolls at USD
College Scorecard; IPEDS
USD admissions questions
What is the USD acceptance rate?
University of South Dakota accepts 99% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 5,293 of 5,349 applicants were admitted.
Does USD require the SAT or ACT?
University of South Dakota considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 2% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 73% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for USD?
The middle 50% of University of South Dakota enrolled first-year students scored 1125–1315 on the SAT and 19–25 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at USD?
26% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (1,359 of 5,293).
Is USD getting harder to get into?
University of South Dakota accepted 99% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 99% for Fall 2023.
Is USD the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to University of South Dakota overview