University of South Dakota Acceptance Rate
Vermillion, South Dakota · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 5,349
- Admitted
- 5,293
- Yield
- 25.7%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, University of South Dakota's acceptance rate has risen from 88.8% in 2014–15 to 99% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 3,542 to 5,349 (+51%) over that period.
Its 99% rate makes University of South Dakota more selective than about 2% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 11 tracked South Dakota schools, it is more selective than about 0%.
University of South Dakota has been test-optional since 2020–21. Of admitted students, 25.7% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 3,542 | 3,146 | 88.8% | 1,247 |
| 2015–16 | 4,218 | 3,102 | 73.5% | 1,287 |
| 2016–17 | 3,607 | 3,179 | 88.1% | 1,140 |
| 2017–18 | 3,865 | 3,359 | 86.9% | 1,341 |
| 2018–19 | 4,119 | 3,534 | 85.8% | 1,444 |
| 2019–20 | 4,434 | 3,830 | 86.4% | 1,321 |
| 2020–21 | 3,392 | 3,085 | 90.9% | 1,232 |
| 2021–22 | 4,272 | 3,717 | 87% | 1,233 |
| 2022–23 | 4,480 | 4,456 | 99.5% | 1,329 |
| 2023–24 | 5,349 | 5,293 | 99% | 1,359 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 3,385 | 3,368 | 99.5% |
| Men | 1,964 | 1,925 | 98% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 570–650 | 2% |
| SAT Math | 540–680 | |
| ACT Composite | 19–25 | 73% |
How University of South compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is University of South Dakota's acceptance rate?
University of South Dakota's acceptance rate is 99% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (5,293 admitted of 5,349 applicants).
Is University of South Dakota test optional?
University of South Dakota is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to University of South Dakota?
University of South Dakota received 5,349 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 5,293.
What SAT score do you need for University of South Dakota?
Admitted students at University of South Dakota typically scored 570–650 on SAT Reading/Writing and 540–680 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is University of South Dakota getting harder to get into?
University of South Dakota has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 88.8% in 2014–15 to 99% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: https://www.usd.edu/.