South Dakota Colleges and Universities

Complete guide to South Dakota colleges featuring record SDSU enrollment, $7,500 Opportunity Scholarship, and SD Advantage in-state tuition for 11 neighboring states

12,065

SDSU Students

Record high, +4.9%

$7,500

Opportunity Scholarship

Merit-based, ACT 24+

7,407

Technical College Students

+7%, 5-year high

11 States

SD Advantage Program

In-state tuition rate

South Dakota State University (SDSU) Flagship

Location: Brookings, SD

Total Enrollment (Fall 2024): 12,065 students (highest since 2018)

Enrollment Growth: +4.9% increase, 560 more students than previous year

Record First-Year Class (Fall 2024):

First-Year Students: 2,449 students (largest in SDSU history)

Previous Record: 2,306 set in 2013

South Dakota Students: 1,237 first-year students from SD (+7.4% over previous year)

Retention:

First-to-Second Year Retention: 83.8% (broke previous year's record by almost 1%)

Geographic Diversity:

States Represented: Students from 47 states

Countries Represented: Students from 77 countries

International Students: 826 students (+17.7% increase)

Academic Activity:

Total Credit Hours: 142,812 credit hours (+5,978 over previous year)

Academic Excellence:

  • R1 Research University: Very high research activity
  • Land-Grant University: Founded 1881
  • State's Flagship: South Dakota's largest university

Tuition (2024-25):

In-State: $9,299/year

Out-of-State: $12,809/year

Per Credit Hour (In-State): $266.60

Per Credit Hour (Out-of-State): $387

SD Advantage Program:

In-State Tuition Rate Available To: Residents of Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming

University of South Dakota (USD) Public

Location: Vermillion, SD

Total Enrollment (Fall 2024): Over 9,000 students

Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,619 students

Graduate Enrollment: Over 2,000 students

Admissions:

Acceptance Rate: 99% (alternative: 98%)

Non-Selective: Very high acceptance rate makes USD accessible to most applicants

Test-Optional: Students can choose whether to submit standardized test scores

Accepts Common Application

Student-Faculty Ratio:

Ratio: 16:1

Academic Calendar:

System: Semester-based

History:

Founded: 1862 (South Dakota's first university)

Tuition (2024-25):

In-State: $9,432/year

Out-of-State: $12,942/year

Per Credit Hour (In-State): $259

Per Credit Hour (Out-of-State): $376

SD Advantage Program:

In-State Tuition Rate Available To: Residents of Colorado, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wyoming, Illinois, Wisconsin, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, and children of USD alumni

South Dakota Technical Colleges 4 Colleges

System Size: 4 technical colleges across South Dakota

Total Enrollment (Fall 2024): 7,407 students (5-year high)

Enrollment Growth: +7% increase over previous year (6,900 students in 2023)

The 4 Technical Colleges (Fall 2024 Enrollment):

  1. Southeast Technical College (Sioux Falls): 2,659 students (+7.3%)
  2. Lake Area Technical College (Watertown): 2,312 students (+6.1%)
  3. Mitchell Technical College: 1,237 students (+5.1%)
  4. Western Dakota Technical College (Rapid City): 1,199 students (+10.8%)

Growth Factors:

  • Strong Influx: Increase in first-year students
  • Higher Retention: Improved retention rates among returning students
  • High-Demand Programs: Growth especially notable in health care, building trades, public safety, and manufacturing

Three-Year Tuition Freeze:

Legislative Support: South Dakota Legislature partnered with technical college system to freeze tuition and fees over past three academic years

Record Placement Rates:

South Dakota technical colleges report record enrollment combined with high job placement rates for graduates

Typical Tuition (Estimated):

Annual Tuition: Approximately $6,000-$8,000/year

South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship Up to $7,500

Program: Merit-based scholarship for South Dakota's most academically accomplished high school graduates

Award Amount:

Maximum Award: Up to $7,500 total scholarship

Use: At any accredited South Dakota university, college, or technical school

Duration:

Maximum Terms: Equivalent of 8 consecutive fall and spring semesters OR until attainment of baccalaureate degree, whichever comes first

Basic Eligibility Requirements:

  • Residency: Must be South Dakota resident at time of high school graduation
  • Institution: Must attend accredited SD institution (university, college, or technical school accredited by Higher Learning Commission)
  • Campus Location: Institution must provide instruction from campus located in South Dakota

Test Score Requirements (Two Pathways):

Pathway 1: ACT 24-27

  • Minimum ACT: Composite or Super Score of 24 or higher
  • Plus Curriculum Requirements: Must complete specific high school curriculum with no grade below "C"
  • Plus GPA Requirement: Cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.0

Pathway 2: ACT 28+

  • Minimum ACT: Composite or Super Score of 28 or higher
  • No Curriculum Requirements
  • No GPA Requirements

SAT Alternative:

SAT Accepted: Equivalent SAT score as determined by South Dakota Board of Regents

Timing: Must take ACT or SAT before beginning postsecondary education

Timeline Requirements:

Standard Timeline: Must enter program within 5 years of high school graduation

Military Service: Within 1 year of release from active duty (if release is within 5 years of high school graduation)

How to Apply:

Applications available through Our Dakota Dreams website and participating South Dakota high schools

SD Advantage Program In-State Tuition

Program: South Dakota public universities offer in-state tuition rates to students from 11 neighboring states

Participating Universities:

  • South Dakota State University (SDSU)
  • University of South Dakota (USD)
  • Additional public universities in South Dakota Board of Regents system

Eligible States (11 Total):

  1. Colorado
  2. Illinois
  3. Iowa
  4. Kansas
  5. Minnesota
  6. Missouri
  7. Montana
  8. Nebraska
  9. North Dakota
  10. Wisconsin
  11. Wyoming

Additional USD Eligibility:

Children of Alumni: University of South Dakota extends in-state tuition rate to children of USD alumni regardless of state of residence

Cost Savings:

Savings at SDSU: Save $3,510/year ($12,809 out-of-state reduced to $9,299 in-state equivalent)

Savings at USD: Save $3,510/year ($12,942 out-of-state reduced to $9,432 in-state equivalent)

How to Apply:

Students from eligible states automatically receive in-state tuition rate when admitted as new undergraduate students. Verify eligibility during admissions process.

Other South Dakota Colleges and Universities

Public Universities (Board of Regents System):

  • Dakota State University (Madison) - Technology-focused university, cyber operations
  • Black Hills State University (Spearfish) - Located in Black Hills region
  • Northern State University (Aberdeen) - Northern South Dakota
  • South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (Rapid City) - Engineering, science, mining

Private Universities:

  • Augustana University (Sioux Falls) - Lutheran-affiliated liberal arts, 2,000+ students
  • University of Sioux Falls - Baptist-affiliated, Sioux Falls
  • Mount Marty University (Yankton) - Catholic Benedictine university
  • Dakota Wesleyan University (Mitchell) - Methodist-affiliated

Tribal Colleges:

  • Oglala Lakota College (Kyle) - Serves Pine Ridge Reservation
  • Sinte Gleska University (Mission) - Rosebud Reservation
  • Sisseton Wahpeton College (Sisseton) - Lake Traverse Reservation

South Dakota College Tuition Comparison (2024-25)

InstitutionTypeIn-State TuitionOut-of-State Tuition
SDSU (Brookings)Public Flagship$9,299$12,809
USD (Vermillion)Public$9,432$12,942
Technical Colleges (avg)Technical$6,000-$8,000Varies
Augustana UniversityPrivate~$38,000

SD Advantage: Students from 11 neighboring states receive in-state tuition rate at public universities

Technical Colleges: 3-year tuition freeze by state legislature

Frequently Asked Questions - South Dakota Colleges

South Dakota State University (SDSU) in Brookings is the largest with record 12,065 students (Fall 2024), highest enrollment since 2018. SDSU grew 4.9% with 2,449 first-year students (largest in history, breaking 2013 record of 2,306). Students come from 47 states and 77 countries. University of South Dakota (USD) in Vermillion is second largest with 9,000+ students (7,619 undergraduates). SDSU is the state's flagship R1 research university and land-grant institution.

The SD Opportunity Scholarship provides up to $7,500 for SD residents attending accredited SD colleges. Two qualification pathways: (1) ACT 24-27 requires 3.0 GPA and specific curriculum with no grade below C, or (2) ACT 28+ with NO GPA or curriculum requirements. SAT equivalent scores accepted. Good for 8 semesters or until bachelor's degree. Must enroll within 5 years of high school graduation (1 year if military service). This merit-based scholarship helps SD's top students afford any in-state university, college, or technical school.

SD Advantage allows students from 11 neighboring states to pay in-state tuition at SD public universities: Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. This saves $3,510/year at SDSU and USD (reducing ~$13,000 out-of-state to ~$9,300 in-state). USD also extends in-state rate to children of alumni. Students from eligible states automatically receive in-state rate when admitted. This regional program makes SD colleges highly affordable for Midwest students.

Yes, SD technical colleges reached 5-year high of 7,407 students (Fall 2024), +7% growth over 6,900 in 2023. All 4 colleges grew: Southeast Technical (Sioux Falls) 2,659 (+7.3%), Lake Area Technical (Watertown) 2,312 (+6.1%), Mitchell Technical 1,237 (+5.1%), Western Dakota Technical (Rapid City) 1,199 (+10.8%). Growth driven by strong first-year classes, higher retention, and demand in health care, building trades, public safety, and manufacturing. Legislature partnered with colleges to freeze tuition for 3 years, making technical education highly affordable.

USD is non-selective with 99% acceptance rate (alternative: 98%), making it accessible to nearly all applicants. USD is test-optional and accepts Common Application with 16:1 student-faculty ratio. SDSU acceptance rate not specified but receiving record 12,065 enrollment suggests moderate selectivity. SDSU achieved 83.8% first-to-second year retention (record high), indicating strong student success. Both universities focus on access while maintaining quality education. For most academically qualified students, admission is achievable, especially SD residents and students from 11 SD Advantage states.

SD technical colleges are most affordable at $6,000-$8,000/year with 3-year tuition freeze. SDSU ($9,299) and USD ($9,432) offer among lowest in-state tuition nationally. Combined with $7,500 SD Opportunity Scholarship (ACT 24+), qualified students can attend SDSU for approximately $1,800/year or technical colleges with scholarship covering most/all tuition. For out-of-state students from 11 neighboring states, SD Advantage program provides in-state rates, saving $3,510/year. SD's combination of low tuition, merit scholarships, and regional tuition programs makes it one of most affordable states for higher education.

SDSU (Brookings) is South Dakota's largest (12,065 students) and flagship R1 research university, land-grant institution founded 1881 with 83.8% retention and students from 47 states/77 countries. USD (Vermillion) is SD's first university (founded 1862) with 9,000+ students, 99% acceptance (non-selective), test-optional, 16:1 ratio, semester-based. SDSU excels in agriculture, engineering, sciences, research; USD strong in liberal arts, education, health sciences, law. Both offer in-state tuition to 11 neighboring states. Tuition similar: SDSU $9,299, USD $9,432 in-state. Choose SDSU for research/STEM focus, USD for accessibility and liberal arts.

Last updated on November 24, 2025