Brookings, SD Overview
South Dakota State University is a public 4-year college located in Brookings, South Dakota. There are currently 8,627 undergraduates at SDSU and the school’s acceptance rate is 86%. The tuition at SDSU is $9,299 for in-state students and $12,809 for out-of-state.
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
8,627
Pell Grant 18%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 12%
Undergrad Students Over 25 7%
Percent Male / Female 46% / 54%
Ethnic Diversity at SDSU
86% White
3% Hispanic
3% International / Non-Citizen
2% Unknown
2% Multiracial
2% Black
1% Asian / Pacific Islander
1% American Indian / Alaska Native
Academics Snapshot
Student/Faculty Ratio
18:1
Graduation Rate
59%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Health Professions & Related Programs
22%
22% of graduates
Agriculture & Agriculture Operations
14%
14% of graduates
Engineering
8%
8% of graduates
Business, Management, & Marketing
7%
7% of graduates
Education
6%
6% of graduates
Family & Consumer Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
4%
4% of graduates
Psychology
4%
4% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
3%
3% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
3%
3% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
3%
3% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
3%
3% of graduates
Social Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
Mathematics
2%
2% of graduates
Architecture
2%
2% of graduates
History
1%
1% of graduates
Engineering
1%
1% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
Transportation & Materials Moving
1%
1% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
1%
1% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot
$22,934
$8,319
$18,125
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$22,934for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$26,444for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Since SDSU is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at SDSU is $22,934 for in-state students in SD, and $26,444 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at SDSU would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
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South Dakota State University Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at South Dakota State University need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for South Dakota State University is 003471.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange
SDSU is in a state that participates in the Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange program. That means if you are a resident of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming, you may be eligible for discounted tuition at SDSU. Check out the full list of requirements and participating schools on their website.
Pell Grants at South Dakota State University
22% of students at South Dakota State University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to South Dakota State University.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
SDSU students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Admissions Snapshot
86%
22
Is SDSU test-optional?
South Dakota State University is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at SDSU?
Students must apply by June 15 to enroll at SDSU during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
Student Outcomes Snapshot
Graduate Income
$55,070
Median Debt $23,250
Debt 10 years after graduation $246
Graduation Rate 59%
What is the graduation rate at South Dakota State University?
59% of students who start at South Dakota State University end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 1% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of South Dakota State University go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at South Dakota State University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $55,070. This is $4,679 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at SDSU take out in loans?
Graduates of SDSU have to take out a median of $23,250 in federal student loans. This is $9,750 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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