South Dakota State University logo

South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD·Public·https://www.sdstate.edu/

Campus Identity

Land GrantNCAA D1PhD Programs

South Dakota State University is a mid-size public university in Brookings, SD. Approximately 9,198 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 98% acceptance rate. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 54/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

South Dakota State University is a mid-size public university in Brookings, SD. Approximately 9,198 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 98% acceptance rate. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 54/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

98%
Acceptance Rate
7,287 applications
22
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 19–25
$7,773
In-State Tuition
+$1,526 fees
$11,283
Out-of-State Tuition
+$1,526 fees
$10,055
Room & Board
9,198
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
34%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
NCAA D1
Athletics
The Summit League
Selectivity98% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

530570610

SAT Math

530560630

Campus Lifestyle

Athletics

NCAA D1

The Summit League

School Size & Setting

10,000–19,999

Town setting

Ski Access

51 miles

Great Bear Ski Valley

Weather

Cold Climate

35°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

51 mi away
120 mi away
35 skiable acres6 lifts
138 mi away
55 skiable acres10 lifts

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Brookings, SD

13°Jan17°Feb30°Mar43°Apr56°May67°Jun71°Jul68°Aug60°Sep46°Oct31°Nov19°Dec

Station: BROOKINGS 2 NE · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

54/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety507236
50/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
72/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
36/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

Annual costs for the 2023–24 academic year. Source: IPEDS/NCES 2024.

Tuition
$7,773$11,283
Fees
$1,526$1,526
Room & Board
$10,055$10,055
Total
$19,354$22,864
In-StateOut-of-State
App Fee: $20

These are sticker prices. Your actual cost may be much lower with financial aid.

Calculate Your Net Price

Fields of Study

206 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBachelor's
290 grads/yr$77,932
Animal SciencesBachelor's
101 grads/yr$53,784
Business/Managerial EconomicsBachelor's
87 grads/yr
Biology, GeneralBachelor's
83 grads/yr$54,446
Psychology, GeneralBachelor's
81 grads/yr$50,210

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration
Professional66 grads$132,655
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration
Bachelor's60 grads$122,169
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Professional12 grads$117,505
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Master's23 grads$109,395
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
Bachelor's12 grads$103,018
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician
Bachelor's$93,195
Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor's72 grads$87,704
Computer and Information Sciences, General
Bachelor's12 grads$83,815
Civil Engineering
Bachelor's47 grads$82,486
Agricultural Engineering
Bachelor's10 grads$79,322

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is South Dakota State University located?

South Dakota State University is located in Brookings, SD. The main campus address is 1004 Campanile Ave, Brookings, SD. It is a public institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at South Dakota State University?

South Dakota State University has an acceptance rate of 98%, making it accessible. Out of 7,287 applicants, 7,166 were admitted in the most recent year. 9,198 students enrolled.

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

The middle 50% of enrolled students at South Dakota State University scored between 19 and 25 on the ACT, with a median of 22. About 75% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend South Dakota State University?

For the 2023–24 academic year, South Dakota State University charges $7,773/year for in-state students and $11,283/year for out-of-state students. Including room and board ($10,055/year), the total estimated cost for out-of-state students is approximately $12,809/year. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce this cost — use South Dakota State University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for South Dakota State University?

The undergraduate application fee at South Dakota State University is $20. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Does South Dakota State University have college sports?

Yes — South Dakota State University competes at the NCAA D1 level in the The Summit League. As a Division I program, they compete at the highest level of college athletics, which often includes scholarships and nationally broadcast games.

Is South Dakota State University the right fit for me?

Whether South Dakota State University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (98% admit rate), cost ($11,283/year out-of-state), campus culture in Brookings, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh South Dakota State University against similar schools side-by-side.

Data sourced from IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with South Dakota State University directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

Apply NowVisit Official Website

Quick Facts

Type
Public
Location
Brookings, SD
Size
10,000–19,999
Degrees Offered
Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral, Certificates
Land Grant
Yes
NCAA
NCAA D1
Conference
The Summit League
School Year Weather
Cold · 35°F avg
App Fee
$20
On Campus Safety Score
54/100
Nearest Airport
Watertown, SD (ATY) · 45 mialso FSD (51 mi), HON (72 mi)

Location

Brookings, SD

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.