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South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD
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Admit Rate
98%* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)Accessible
Cost of Attendance
$24,636
$28,146 out-of-state
Test Policy
SAT/ACT optional§ (source: South Dakota State University 2026-27 undergraduate catalog · 2026-27 · accessed Sep 29, 2026)

SDSU's admissions site never uses the phrase and its checklist lists an ACT or SAT score report as an item, which reads as required; its own freshman requirements on the same page are index-style and admit on a 2.6 GPA alone. The official catalog resolves it explicitly. Scores are encouraged for conditional admission decisions, scholarships and placement.

Data sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard, for the record as a whole — figures marked with a star are sourced separately, as noted at the bottom of the page. Deadlines checked against the college's own pages on Oct 18, 2026.

Admissions

Overall
98%* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

My Fit uses this overall rate to classify your chances here.

Mid-50% SAT
1040-1300 (SAT evidence-based reading + math, 25th-75th percentile)† (source: IPEDS 2023-24 Admissions · 2023)
SAT/ACT optional
Top 10 majors
  1. 1Nursing
  2. 2Business Economics
  3. 3Psychology
  4. 4Animal Sciences
  5. 5Biomedical Sciences
  6. 6Mechanical Engineering
  7. 7Human Development and Family Studies
  8. 8Early Childhood Education and Teaching
  9. 9Exercise Science and Kinesiology
  10. 10Civil Engineering

Ordered by how many students graduated in each, 2023-24. Source: U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS Completions survey). Names are the federal categories, so South Dakota State University may call a major something slightly different.

Applying

Application Deadlines‡ (source: South Dakota State University admissions · 2026-27 · accessed Sep 22, 2026)
Rolling Admission
Not publicly reported · Non-binding
December 1 (Academic Scholarship) and March 1 (FAFSA) are separate, non-admission deadlines on the same page.
Essay details are being verified

College-specific prompts can change each application cycle. Check the school's official application page for the latest requirements.

View official application requirements

Music & Sports Tracks

Sports

NCAA Division I (FCS)
Varsity sports (11)
BaseballBasketballEquestrianFootballGolfSoccerSoftballSwimming and divingTrack and field and cross countryVolleyballWrestling
U.S. Department of Education, Equity in Athletics data (2024-25)
How music and sports fit into an application

Academics

Career & Major Pathways

Primary Disciplines

We haven't confirmed this yet.

Interdisciplinary Pathways

None documented yet.

Cost

In-state cost of attendance
$24,636* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)
Out-of-state cost of attendance
$28,146* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

This is the full yearly cost before any financial aid. What your family would actually pay is in the Financial Aid section. Cost figures are approximate, so confirm current numbers on the college's website.

Tuition only (part of the cost above)
In-state $9,299* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)Out-of-state $12,809* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

Financial Aid

What families actually paid, by household income

Average for students who received federal aid. Your own figure depends on your family's finances and the aid this school offers you.

Under $30,000
$14,266
$30,001 – $48,000
$15,248
$48,001 – $75,000
$18,073
$75,001 – $110,000
$20,706
Over $110,000
$21,886

College Scorecard (latest.cost.net_price.public.by_income_level.*), 2024

Estimate what your family would pay

Every school is required to publish a net price calculator. It asks about your family's finances and returns an estimate for you specifically, which is worth more than any average on this page. Your school counselor and the college's financial aid office can also help.

Scholarships and merit aid

We don't have a confirmed note on merit scholarships at this school. Check its financial aid pages rather than assuming either way.

Campus

Campus Fit

Location
Brookings, SD· Small City
Undergraduates
10,177
Setting
Small City
In a fraternity or sorority
Not publicly reported
Living on campus
Not publicly reported

*College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education) · 2024

†IPEDS 2023-24 Admissions · 2023

‡South Dakota State University admissions · 2026-27 · accessed Sep 22, 2026

§South Dakota State University 2026-27 undergraduate catalog · 2026-27 · accessed Sep 29, 2026

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