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#3 Best Colleges in South Dakota

USD Admission Requirements

Vermillion, South Dakota

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Your chances of getting into University of South Dakota

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

87%
Admission Difficulty for University of South Dakota
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Average 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at USD is 87%.  Its admission rate is the 9th lowest in South Dakota.

Admission Selectivity

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

University of South Dakota is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 3,717 out of the 4,272 who applied were admitted.

The school has average admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 54 percent on standardized admission tests. University of South Dakota typically accepts and 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. 33% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into USD?

87% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

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

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.43 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1170 on the SAT
  • Score 22 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

USD GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.43

Typical High School Grades 

B+

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

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into USD are to have around a 3.43 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.43 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as USD accepts 87% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at USD is 3.43 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #5 in South Dakota for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since USD is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.4 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted University of South Dakota students
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 chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

USD SAT Scores

Test Optional

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to University of South Dakota. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 3% of students submitted SAT scores and 80% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1050-1290

Applicants Submitting SAT 

3%
SAT Scores for University of South Dakota
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 510
Math 25th Percentile 540
Composite 25th Percentile 1050
SAT Scores for University of South Dakota
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 640
Math 75th Percentile 650
Composite 75th Percentile 1290
Average SAT Score 1170

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of South Dakota?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at USD is 1170 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1050-1290. Students who get into University of South Dakota score in the top 51 percent of all SAT test takers..  USD ranks #2 in the state of South Dakota for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1170 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. USD regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1050 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1050, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 930, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

University of South Dakota is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "considered but not required".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1170 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1170, you have around a 87% chance of being admitted. A 1290 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 93% chance of getting in.

University of South Dakota admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1290 and Above Good >93%
1170 to 1290 Avg + 87%-93%
1050 to 1170 Avg - 78%-87%
930 to 1050 Reach 65%-78%
Less than 930 Low <65%
Calculate My Chances 

USD ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

19-25 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

80%
ACT Scores for University of South Dakota
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 18
Math 25th Percentile 18
Composite 25th Percentile 19
ACT Scores for University of South Dakota
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 25
Math 75th Percentile 26
Composite 75th Percentile 25
Average ACT Score 22

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into USD?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to USD is 22, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 19 and 25.  The school ranks #6 in South Dakota for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 22. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 19 and score in the score in the top 56 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 16.

Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 80 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of South Dakota.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of South Dakota is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "considered but not required".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into USD for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 22 score has around 87% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 93% with a 25 ACT score.

University of South Dakota 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 

High School Class Rank

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

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

University of South Dakota admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 2,810 1,462 4,272
Accepted 2,462 1,255 3,717
Acceptance Rate 88% 86% 87%
Enrolled 808 425 1,233
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 33% 34% 33%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Application Fee

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

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
Test Scores Considered but not required
High School GPA Considered but not required
High School Class Rank Considered but not 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 University of South Dakota
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because University of South Dakota is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.43 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1170 and ACT of 22 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to University of South Dakota often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=219471 IPEDS survey data for University of South Dakota.

FAQs

Does University of South Dakota prefer SAT or ACT?

3% of students submit their SAT scores to USD. 80% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

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

87% of those who apply are granted admission to USD. Admission competition is and the college has average admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for University of South Dakota?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1050 and 1290. The average SAT score is 1170. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for University of South Dakota?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 19 and 25. The average ACT score is 22. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.