South Dakota State University — College Profile

About

South Dakota State University, the state’s largest institution and premier land-grant university, is widely recognized for its powerhouse programs in agricultural sciences, pharmacy, nursing, and engineering. The university sets itself apart through pioneering initiatives, including the nation's first dedicated precision agriculture degree, as well as unique traditions like its student-run dairy bar—the birthplace of cookies-and-cream ice cream. Campus life in the welcoming town of Brookings revolves around energetic "Jackrabbit" school spirit, competitive NCAA Division I athletics, and legendary traditions like Hobo Day, South Dakota’s largest homecoming celebration. This vibrant community provides students with an affordable, close-knit Midwestern atmosphere that emphasizes practical, hands-on career preparation and robust undergraduate research.

Wikipedia:South Dakota State University is a public land-grant research university in Brookings, South Dakota, United States. Founded in 1881, it is the state's largest university and is the second oldest continually operating university in the state. The university is governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents.

Location

Brookings, SD, 57007-1898 · Town campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

MSP · Minneapolis

179 mi away

Open in Google Maps

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

These figures are federal data and may be out of date.

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition & fees$9,299$12,809

Housing & food (on campus)$10,176$10,176

Books & supplies$750$750

Cost of attendance$24,636$28,146 est.

Average net price$19,841Not published

Out-of-state prices

Tuition & fees$12,809

In-state: $9,299

Housing & food (on campus)$10,176

Books & supplies$750

Cost of attendance$28,146 est.

In-state: $24,636

Average net priceNot published

In-state: $19,841

est. = the in-state cost of attendance with out-of-state tuition swapped in; no out-of-state figure is published.

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24

$0–30k

$14,266

$30–48k

$15,248

$48–75k

$18,073

$75–110k

$20,706

$110k+

$21,886

Your family's actual price → South Dakota State University net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

61%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

46%

Back for yr 2

84%

Transferred

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

60% graduated · 25% transferred · 14% left or unknown · none still enrolled

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

6 yrs after entry$49,564

10 yrs after entry$55,070

Debt

Median at graduation$23,250

Monthly payment$246

Middle 50% owe$5.8k–$27k

90th percentile$33,000

Admissions

Getting in · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

98%

Test policy

Test optional

Per College Scorecard

SAT average

1120

R 530–610 · M 530–630

ACT midpoint

Comp 19–25 · E 18–24 · M 18–26

SAT middle 50%: 1060–1240

40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If South Dakota State University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body

Gender

Men 46%Women 54%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

17 : 1

Pell grant

17%

First-gen

20%

Family income

$73,000

Independent

12%

Veterans

Age at entry

20.0

Part-time

12%

Race & ethnicity

White

84%

Hispanic

Black

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

AI/AN

Unknown

Varsity sports

NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25

Baseball
Men's
Basketball
Men's · Women's
Equestrian
Women's
Football
Men's
Golf
Men's · Women's
Soccer
Women's
Softball
Women's
Swimming and Diving (combined)
Men's · Women's
Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
Men's · Women's
Volleyball
Women's
Wrestling
Men's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021

After 6 yrs

$49,564

After 10 yrs

$55,070

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing290

Animal Sciences101

Business/Managerial Economics87

Biology, General83

Psychology, General81

Mechanical Engineering72

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods67

Agriculture, General60

Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration60

Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services56

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness53

Civil Engineering47

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas42

Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management37

Plant Sciences36

Agricultural Business and Management34

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$269M

Full-time faculty

81%

Faculty salary

$10,231/mo

Teaching spend

$10,257

per student

Federal loans

43%

Classification

Carnegie type

Doctoral University

Research activity

R2 — high research

$82M research spending · 46 research doctorates a year

Undergraduate profile