USD Admission Requirements

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4 Year
Vermillion, SD
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#3 Best Colleges in South Dakota

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USD Admission Overview

USD admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year USD admitted 98.8% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.43 GPA (B+) and SAT 1125-1315 / ACT 19-25. USD is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

USD is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

USD Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

98.8%

Admission Standards

Average

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The USD acceptance rate is 98.8%. Last year, 5,892 of 5,965 applicants were admitted. That is the 11th lowest acceptance rate in South Dakota.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into USD and can you get accepted?

USD is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

University of South Dakota typically attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.43. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 24% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

USD GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.43

Typical High School Grades

B+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.43

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at USD typically have around a 3.43 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. USD is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #5 in South Dakota for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.4 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled University of South Dakota freshmen
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	6.08%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	26.2%	Avg +
3.50 to 3.74	20.46%	Avg -
3.25 to 3.49	17.38%	Avg -
3.00 to 3.24	12.33%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	13.27%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	3.0%	Reach
1.00 to 1.99	1.28%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

USD SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1125-1315

Freshmen who sent SAT

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 530
Math 595
Composite 1125

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 620
Math 695
Composite 1315

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at USD typically score around a 1220 SAT (middle 50% 1125–1315) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 78th percentile nationally. USD ranks #4 in the state of South Dakota for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1125 to 1315

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

USD is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1220 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at University of South Dakota
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1315+	Above 75th	>99%
1220 to 1315	Avg +	99%-99%
1125 to 1220	Avg -	98%-99%
Below 1125	Below mid-50	<98%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

USD ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

19-25

Freshmen reporting ACT

62%

25th Percentile Scores

English 17
Math 18
Composite 19

75th Percentile Scores

English 25
Math 25
Composite 25

Average ACT

Incoming testers at USD typically have around a 22 ACT (mid-50 19–25) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 63rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. USD places #5 among colleges in South Dakota for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 19 to 25

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to USD without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 22.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at University of South Dakota
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
25+	Above 75th	>99%
22 to 25	Avg +	99%-99%
19 to 22	Avg -	98%-99%
Below 19	Below mid-50	<98%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

71% of University of South Dakota freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 36% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of South Dakota students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	14.63%
Top 25% of class	36.47%
Top 50% of class	71%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the USD chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

University of South Dakota admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	3,541	2,424	5,965
Accepted	3,509	2,383	5,892
Acceptance Rate	99%	98%	99%
Enrolled	907	511	1,418
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	26%	21%	24%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of South Dakota and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of South Dakota application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of South Dakota is $20.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at University of South Dakota
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	Yes

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

USD is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 98.8% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.43 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1125-1315); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025