South Dakota State University (SDSU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About South Dakota State University
Out on the prairie, the sky feels bigger and so do options. South Dakota State University in Brookings is known for practical, hands-on learning across agriculture and natural resources, engineering, health fields, business, and the arts. Modern labs, studios, maker spaces, and a busy library back it up, along with advising, tutoring, and wellness support that students actually use.
Campus life runs lively but grounded. Clubs, music and theater, intramurals, and game days pull students together, and a long-running homecoming called Hobo Day adds its own flavor. The culture leans friendly, hard working, and collaborative. Career prep shows up in internships, faculty research, and employer ties that reach well beyond the state. Brookings offers a tight-knit downtown, coffee shops, and access to trails and nearby lakes. Notable alumni include Tom Daschle and Adam Vinatieri.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
South Dakota State University (SDSU) offers 106 degree programs across 26 major academic fields, graduating approximately 2,570 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Health (11 programs, 540 graduates), Agriculture (8 programs, 233 graduates), Business (6 programs, 216 graduates), Engineering (6 programs, 206 graduates) and Biological Sciences (6 programs, 161 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Health (11 programs, 540 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 354 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (P)
|
51.3801 |
| Pharmacy | 58 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.2001 |
| Pharmaceutics and Drug Design | 42 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
51.2003 |
| Clinical Laboratory Science and Medical Technology | 27 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.1005 |
| Community Health and Preventive Medicine | 20 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.2208 |
| Dietetics | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.3101 |
| Respiratory Care Therapy | 9 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
51.0908 |
| Athletic Training | 8 |
|
Master's
|
51.0913 |
| Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing | 6 |
|
Post-Master's
|
51.3810 |
| Public Health | 5 |
|
Master's
|
51.2201 |
| Family Practice Nursing | 1 |
|
Post-Master's
|
51.3805 |
Agriculture (8 programs, 233 graduates)
Agricultural Sciences, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Sciences | 96 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Other Award
|
01.0901 |
| Agronomy and Crop Science | 39 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
01.1102 |
| Agribusiness Operations | 29 |
|
Bachelor's
|
01.0102 |
| Agricultural Mechanization | 27 |
|
Bachelor's
|
01.0201 |
| Dairy Science | 22 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
01.0905 |
| Agricultural Production Operations | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
01.0301 |
| Applied Horticulture | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
01.0601 |
| Food Science | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
01.1001 |
Business (6 programs, 216 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Economics | 155 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0601 |
| Construction Management | 35 |
|
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
52.2001 |
| Entrepreneurship Studies | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
52.0701 |
| Nonprofit and Organizational Management | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0206 |
| Hospitality Management | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0901 |
| Management Science | 1 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
52.1301 |
Engineering (6 programs, 206 graduates)
Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 81 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14.1901 |
| Civil Engineering | 67 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0801 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 28 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1001 |
| Agricultural Engineering | 22 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0301 |
| General Engineering | 7 |
|
Master's
|
14.0101 |
| Biological and Biosystems Engineering | 1 |
|
Other Award
|
14.4501 |
Biological Sciences (6 programs, 161 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biomedical Sciences | 80 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26.0102 |
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 47 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0101 |
| Microbiology | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0502 |
| Biotechnology | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
26.1201 |
| Biochemistry | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0202 |
| Molecular Biology | 1 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0204 |
Education (9 programs, 148 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Education | 58 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1210 |
| Agricultural Teacher Education | 44 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1301 |
| Physical Education Teaching and Coaching | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1314 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 9 |
|
Master's
|
13.0301 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Education | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1308 |
| Music Teacher Education | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1312 |
| Educational Leadership and Administration | 3 |
|
Master's
|
13.0401 |
| College Student Counseling and Personnel Services | 3 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.1102 |
| Chemistry Teacher Education | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1323 |
Psychology (2 programs, 127 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 77 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.0101 |
| Counseling Psychology | 50 |
|
Master's
|
42.2803 |
Human Sciences (6 programs, 101 graduates)
Family Studies, Consumer Sciences and Human Development
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human Development and Family Studies | 64 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
19.0701 |
| Consumer Economics | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
|
19.0402 |
| Human Nutrition | 16 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
19.0504 |
| Apparel and Textile Marketing Management | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
19.0905 |
| Consumer Services and Advocacy | 1 |
|
Master's
|
19.0403 |
| Family and Community Services | 1 |
|
Master's
|
19.0707 |
Liberal Arts (1 programs, 97 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Studies | 97 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
24.0102 |
Interdisciplinary (4 programs, 94 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data Science | 49 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
30.7001 |
| Geography and Environmental Studies | 23 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
30.4401 |
| Global Studies | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.2001 |
| Intercultural and Diversity Studies | 10 |
|
Other Award
|
30.2301 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at South Dakota State University (SDSU).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about South Dakota State University (SDSU)
How much does it cost to attend South Dakota State University (SDSU)?
The annual tuition at South Dakota State University (SDSU) is $9,299 for in-state students and $12,809 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $24,744 for in-state students and $28,254 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $9,562 (on) / $10,490 (off) and books and supplies $1,200.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does South Dakota State University offer?
South Dakota State University (SDSU) offers 106 academic programs across 26 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Associate's, Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional), Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (11 programs)
- Agricultural Sciences, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine (8 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (6 programs)
- Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions (6 programs)
- Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (6 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for South Dakota State University?
South Dakota State University (SDSU) has an 98.7% acceptance rate and a 39.2% yield rate, making it moderately selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 5,884
- Students admitted: 5,808
- Students enrolled: 2,274
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at South Dakota State University?
South Dakota State University (SDSU) provides financial aid to 21% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $4,327 and average loans of $7,683.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $4,654
- State/Local grants: $1,368
- Institutional grants: $3,049
- Federal loans: $5,133
The university supports 1,987 students with grants and 1,277 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for South Dakota State University graduates?
South Dakota State University (SDSU) graduates earn a median salary of $49,564 after 6 years and $55,070 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $38,252 (25th percentile) to $78,622 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $80,000 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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