S
#3 Best Public Universities in South Dakota

South Dakota State University Admission Requirements

Brookings, South Dakota

 0 Reviews

Chances of getting into South Dakota State University

Acceptance Rate

Admitted 
87%
Admission Difficulty for South Dakota State University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Moderate 
Applicant Competition Very Low 
How hard is it to get into South Dakota State University and can I get accepted?

The acceptance rate at South Dakota State University is 87%.  It ranks #8 in South Dakota for lowest rate of acceptance. South Dakota State University is an easy school to get into with a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission requirements. Last year, 5,048 out of 5,774 applicants were admitted.

The school has moderate admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 60 percent on standardized admission tests. South Dakota State University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.53. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 40% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

The South Dakota State University application fee is $20 and applications are due by Apr 15.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to South Dakota State University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.53 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1100 on the SAT
  • Score 22 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

Test Optional

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to South Dakota State University. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 3% of students submitted SAT scores and 86% submitted ACT scores for admission for the 2021/2022 academic year..

South Dakota State University SAT Scores

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 
980-1220
Applicants Submitting SAT 
3%
SAT Scores for South Dakota State University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
SAT Reading 25th 480
SAT Math 25th 500
SAT Composite 25th 980
SAT Scores for South Dakota State University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
SAT Reading 75th 600
SAT Math 75th 620
SAT Composite 75th 1220
Average SAT Score 1100

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for students to be admitted to South Dakota State University?

South Dakota State University is a test optional school meaning applicants are not required to submit SAT scores with their application. The position on SAT scores from the school is "considered but not required".

Students who get into South Dakota State University score in the top 64 percent of all SAT test takers.. The SAT composite score range for the middle 50% of students is 980-1220.

Find other colleges with similar SAT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

South Dakota State University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1220 and Above Good >93%
1100 to 1220 Avg + 87%-93%
980 to 1100 Avg - 78%-87%
860 to 980 Reach 65%-78%
Less than 860 Low <65%
Calculate My Chances 

South Dakota State University ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 
19-25 
Applicants Submitting ACT 
86%
ACT Scores for South Dakota State University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
ACT Reading 25th 17
ACT Math 25th 18
ACT Composite 25th 19
ACT Scores for South Dakota State University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
ACT Reading 75th 24
ACT Math 75th 26
ACT Composite 75th 25
Average ACT Score 22

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for prospective students to get into South Dakota State University?

South Dakota State University is test optional. Students are not required to submit ACT scores with their application. The policy on ACT scores is "considered but not required".

South Dakota State University regularly accepts students who score 19 and above on the ACT. These students typically score in the top 56 percent nationally. The ACT composite score range for the middle 50% of students is 19-25.

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

South Dakota State University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
25 and Above Good >93%
22 to 25 Avg + 87%-93%
19 to 22 Avg - 78%-87%
16 to 19 Reach 65%-78%
Less than 16 Low <65%
Calculate My Chances 

South Dakota State University GPA

Estimated GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 
3.53
Typical High School Grades 
B+

What GPA do you need to get into South Dakota State University?

Applicants require very good grades in high school to get into South Dakota State University. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at South Dakota State University was 3.53 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily B+ students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school ranks #4 in South Dakota for highest average GPA. If your high school grades are above the average 3.53 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as South Dakota State University accepts 87% of all applicants.

 What do these ratings mean?

Explore more colleges with similar GPA requirements

High School GPA's for admitted South Dakota State University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 9.88% Good
3.75 to 3.99 30.76% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 21.14% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 15.3% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 9.06% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 10.39% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 2.97% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0.5% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

High School Class Rank

75% of South Dakota State University freshman were in the top half of their high school graduating class.

High School Class Rank for admitted South Dakota State University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 16%
Top 25% of class 42%
Top 50% of class 75%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

South Dakota State University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 3,187 2,560 5,774
Accepted 2,814 2,233 5,048
Acceptance Rate 88% 87% 87%
Enrolled 1,086 933 2,019
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 39% 42% 40%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Fall 2023 Application Deadline

Applications were Due
Apr 15, 2023
Days left to Apply
None

The application deadline for Fall 2023 has passed. Applications were due on Apr 15, 2023.

Application Fee

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

Application Requirements

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

South Dakota State University Application Requirements
Test Scores Considered but not required
High School GPA Required
High School Class Rank Required
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required
Recommendations Considered but not required
Demonstration of Competencies Neither required nor recommended

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at South Dakota State University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes
Other Colleges to Consider 

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=219356 IPEDS survey data for South Dakota State University.

FAQs

Does South Dakota State University prefer SAT or ACT?

3% of students submit their SAT scores to South Dakota State University. 86% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into South Dakota State University?

87% of those who apply are granted admission to South Dakota State University. Admission competition is and the college has moderate admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for South Dakota State University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 980 and 1220. 3% of students submit SAT scores when applying. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for South Dakota State University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 19 and 25. 86% of students submit ACT scores when applying. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.