University of South Dakota Admissions

With a 99.46% acceptance rate, the University of South Dakota operates as an open admission institution. Nearly every applicant who meets basic requirements gets accepted. The middle 50% of students score between 1020-1300 on the SAT or around 22 on the ACT. These scores reflect the university's mission as South Dakota's flagship public institution, welcoming students across the academic spectrum. USD seeks students ready to engage with serious academic programs, particularly those interested in healthcare given its strong medical school reputation. The university values students who want to contribute to a close-knit campus community of 5,239 students in small-town Vermillion.