University of South Dakota Average GPA & Admissions

Vermillion, SD · Public · 4-year

  • Acceptance rate: 99% for fall 2024
  • Average high school GPA: 3.51, as reported by the college for 2024–25
  • SAT, middle 50%: 530–620 reading and writing, 595–695 math
  • ACT, middle 50%: 19–25 composite
  • Average net price: $18,466 a year (2022–23)
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Type your GPA to compare it with what University of South Dakota reported: an average GPA of 3.51 (2024–25), an acceptance rate of 99% for fall 2024 and an ACT middle 50% of 19–25.

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A guide based on reported data, not a prediction. University of South Dakota reviews each application.

University of South Dakota average GPA

University of South Dakota reported an average high school GPA of 3.51 for its first-year students who submitted one (95% did), in its 2024–25 Common Data Set. The college doesn't say whether it's weighted or unweighted.

How their high school GPAs were spread:

High school GPAShare of first-year students
4.0
10.2%
3.75–3.99
30.5%
3.50–3.74
17.9%
3.25–3.49
15.7%
3.00–3.24
11.7%
2.50–2.99
10.7%
2.00–2.49
2.7%
1.00–1.99
0.6%
First-year students who submitted a high school GPA, as University of South Dakota reported in its 2024–25 Common Data Set. None had a GPA below 1.00. The college doesn't say whether these GPAs are weighted or unweighted.

An average, not a cutoffColleges calculate GPA in different ways, so these figures can't be compared directly with your own GPA.

University of South Dakota acceptance rate

University of South Dakota admitted 5,892 of 5,965 first-year applicants for fall 2024, an acceptance rate of 99%, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

University of South Dakota is a public 4-year university in Vermillion, South Dakota, with 7,619 undergraduates.

SAT and ACT scores

Scores of the first-year students who entered University of South Dakota in fall 2024 and submitted them. Half of them scored between the 25th and 75th percentiles:

Test25th percentileMedian75th percentile
SAT Reading and Writing530570620
SAT Math595635695
ACT Composite192225
ACT English172125
ACT Math182225
4% submitted SAT scores and 62% submitted ACT scores, as University of South Dakota reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard estimates an average SAT score of 1125 for admitted students.

Admission requirements

What University of South Dakota looks at when it decides on first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024:

Admission factorStatus
High School RecordYour transcript: the courses you took and the grades you earned.Required
College Preparatory ProgramCompletion of a college preparatory curriculum in high school.Required
High School GPAYour cumulative high school grade point average.Considered if submitted
High School Class RankYour ranking relative to other students in your graduating class.Considered if submitted
RecommendationsLetters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other mentors.Considered if submitted
Test ScoresSAT or ACT scores.Considered if submitted
Essay or Personal StatementA personal statement or essay written for your application.Not considered
Other TestsOther admission tests, such as the Wonderlic or WISC-III.Not considered
Demonstration of CompetenciesEvidence of specific skills through portfolios, auditions, or other demonstrations.Not considered
Work ExperiencePaid or volunteer work.Not considered
Legacy StatusWhether a parent or other relative attended the college.Not considered
Requirements can differ by program and applicant type, so check with University of South Dakota's admissions office before you apply.

AP credit

University of South Dakota awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

It doesn't award credit for life experience.

Average net price

First-time, full-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average net price of $18,466 a year at University of South Dakota in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Net price is the full cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get into the University of South Dakota with a 3.0 GPA?

It would be on the low side there: 14% of University of South Dakota's first-year students who submitted a GPA had one below 3.0, as the college reported in its 2024–25 Common Data Set, and it admitted 99% of applicants for fall 2024. Colleges calculate GPA in different ways, so compare on the same scale and look at your courses and test scores too.

How important is GPA for getting into the University of South Dakota?

It's one factor among several: University of South Dakota requires high school record and college preparatory program. It considers high school GPA, high school class rank, recommendations and test scores if you send them. It doesn't consider essay or personal statement, other tests, demonstration of competencies, work experience and legacy status. That's what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

Do you need SAT or ACT scores to apply to the University of South Dakota?

No. University of South Dakota is test optional: it considers SAT or ACT scores if you send them, according to its filing with the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024. Of its fall 2024 first-year students, 4% sent SAT scores and 62% sent ACT scores.

How hard is it to get into the University of South Dakota?

Not very selective: at least 3 in 4 applicants got in. University of South Dakota admitted 99% of first-year applicants for fall 2024.

What percent of applicants does the University of South Dakota accept?

University of South Dakota's acceptance rate was 99% for fall 2024: it admitted 5,892 of 5,965 first-year applicants, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education.

What SAT and ACT scores do the University of South Dakota students have?

The middle 50% of University of South Dakota's fall 2024 first-year students who sent scores had SAT 530–620 in reading and writing and 595–695 in math; ACT composite 19–25, according to what the college reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A quarter scored below that range.

Is there a minimum GPA for the University of South Dakota?

University of South Dakota doesn't set a minimum GPA we could verify. Its first-year students averaged 3.51, as reported by the college in its 2024–25 Common Data Set. The college doesn't say whether that average is weighted or unweighted.

What GPA did the University of South Dakota's first-year students have?

58.6% of University of South Dakota's first-year students who submitted a high school GPA had 3.50 or higher, and the largest group (30.5%) had 3.75–3.99, as the college reported in its 2024–25 Common Data Set. The college doesn't say whether these GPAs are weighted or unweighted.

What do students pay at the University of South Dakota after grants?

First-time, full-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average of $18,466 a year at University of South Dakota in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Does the University of South Dakota give credit for AP exams?

Yes. University of South Dakota awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

Before you apply, check the University of South Dakota's official admissions site: requirements can differ by program and change from year to year.

Sources

  1. College Navigator: University of South DakotaU.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS (2024–25 provisional data): admissions, test scores and admission factors for fall 2024, undergraduate enrollment for fall 2024, net price for 2022–23 and credit policies for 2024–25.
  2. University of South Dakota Common Data Set 2024–25University of South Dakota: average high school GPA of first-year students and how their GPAs were spread.
  3. College Scorecard dataAverage SAT: an estimate by the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 10, 2026 release).

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