University of South Dakota (USD) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About University of South Dakota
Set on river bluffs in Vermillion, the university pairs a classic liberal arts core with practical pathways in business, health, public service, and the arts. And it still feels personal. Students work closely with faculty known for being approachable, and they dig into hands-on work in modern labs, studios, and the library. Support runs deep with advising, tutoring, counseling, a busy wellness and rec center, and an indoor dome that hums on game days.
Campus life leans friendly and active. Clubs, music, theater, and service projects keep weeks full, while nearby trails and the river make quick study breaks. Career prep shows up in internships, undergraduate research, and ties to regional employers. The on-campus music museum draws visitors. Vermillion's walkable downtown adds coffee and conversation. Alumni include Al Neuharth, and traditions like a proud fall homecoming give the place a steady heartbeat.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
University of South Dakota (USD) offers 80 degree programs across 24 major academic fields, graduating approximately 2,089 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Health (16 programs, 530 graduates), Business (11 programs, 394 graduates), Education (8 programs, 166 graduates), Computer & IT (1 programs, 138 graduates) and Psychology (4 programs, 117 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Health (16 programs, 530 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 126 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.3801 |
| Clinical Social Work | 95 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.1503 |
| Medicine | 60 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.1201 |
| Communication Sciences and Disorders | 49 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.0201 |
| Substance Abuse Counseling | 32 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
|
51.1501 |
| Physical Therapy | 32 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.2308 |
| Dental Hygiene | 31 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0602 |
| Occupational Therapy | 31 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.2306 |
| Physician Assistant | 24 |
|
Master's
|
51.0912 |
| Hospital and Health Care Administration | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0702 |
| Community Health and Preventive Medicine | 13 |
|
Master's
|
51.2208 |
| Audiology | 7 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.0202 |
| Nursing Practice | 7 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (P)
|
51.3818 |
| Bioethics and Medical Ethics | 5 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
51.3201 |
| Clinical Laboratory Science and Medical Technology | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.1005 |
| Medical Science | 2 |
|
Doctorate (R)
Doctorate (P)
|
51.1401 |
Business (11 programs, 394 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 195 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
52.0201 |
| Accounting | 85 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0301 |
| Finance, General | 50 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0801 |
| Marketing Management | 30 |
|
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
52.1401 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1399 |
| Organizational Leadership | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0213 |
| Entrepreneurship Studies | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0701 |
| Research and Development Management | 5 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
52.0210 |
| Nonprofit and Organizational Management | 3 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
52.0206 |
| Logistics and Supply Chain Management | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0203 |
| Small Business Management | 1 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0703 |
Education (8 programs, 166 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary Education | 50 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1202 |
| Educational Leadership and Administration | 49 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0401 |
| Secondary Education and Teaching | 33 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13.1205 |
| Special Education Teaching | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1001 |
| Music Teacher Education | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1312 |
| Art Education | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1302 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 3 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0301 |
| Instructional Technology | 1 |
|
Master's
|
13.0501 |
Computer & IT (1 programs, 138 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | 138 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11.0101 |
Psychology (4 programs, 117 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 85 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
42.0101 |
| Counseling Psychology | 26 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
42.2803 |
| Applied Behavior Analysis | 5 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
42.2814 |
| Developmental and Child Psychology | 1 |
|
Other Award
|
42.2703 |
Biological Sciences (4 programs, 101 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biomedical Sciences | 68 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0102 |
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 26 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0101 |
| Neuroscience | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1501 |
| Biochemistry | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0202 |
Kinesiology (1 programs, 88 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 88 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
31.0505 |
Law (2 programs, 79 graduates)
Legal Studies, Jurisprudence and Professional Law Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Law | 75 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
22.0101 |
| Indigenous Law | 4 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
22.0224 |
Social Sciences (4 programs, 76 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Political Science and Government | 42 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.1001 |
| Sociology | 18 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1101 |
| Economics | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0601 |
| Anthropology | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0201 |
Communication (3 programs, 62 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mass Communication and Media Studies | 47 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0102 |
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
09.0101 |
| Organizational Communication | 1 |
|
Other Award
|
09.0901 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at University of South Dakota (USD).
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 University of South Dakota (USD)
How much does it cost to attend University of South Dakota (USD)?
The annual tuition at University of South Dakota (USD) is $9,432 for in-state students and $12,942 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $24,639 for in-state students and $28,149 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $9,060 (on) / $10,501 (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 University of South Dakota offer?
University of South Dakota (USD) offers 80 academic programs across 24 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Associate's, Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional), Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (16 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (11 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (8 programs)
- Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (1 programs)
- Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (4 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 University of South Dakota?
University of South Dakota (USD) has an 99% acceptance rate and a 25.7% yield rate, making it moderately selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 5,349
- Students admitted: 5,293
- Students enrolled: 1,359
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 University of South Dakota?
University of South Dakota (USD) provides financial aid to 18% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $5,580 and average loans of $7,533.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,000
- State/Local grants: $1,444
- Institutional grants: $3,709
- Federal loans: $5,144
The university supports 1,021 students with grants and 801 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 University of South Dakota graduates?
University of South Dakota (USD) graduates earn a median salary of $46,290 after 6 years and $51,926 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $37,336 (25th percentile) to $70,894 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $73,400 (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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