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South Dakota State University

Acceptance Rate

Fall 2021 admitted students

87.4%

The data shows that the ACT was more popular among the first-time enrolled students, with a majority of students opting for this test.

Average SAT Score

1100

Students submitting SAT Score

Out of the total 5048 admitted students 68 students submitted their SAT score when applying.

3%

For the admitted students who submitted SAT scores, 50% of their scores fell within the following range 980-1220. Specifically, in the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) section, 50% of admitted students scored between 480 and 600, while 25% scored below 480 and another 25% scored above 600.

In the Math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 500 and 620, while 25% scored below 500 and 25% achieved a score of 620. The data suggests that, applicants with a composite SAT score of 1100 or higher have competitive chances of gaining admission to SDSU.

Overall, for the admitted students who submitted SAT scores, their scores placed most of them in the lower range, just above 36% of test takers nationally.

  • Reading and Writing

    480-600
  • Math

    500-620

Average ACT Score

The average ACT score of admitted students for Fall 2021 enrollment season.

22

Students who Submitted ACT Score

Out of the 5048 admitted students 1732 students submitted their ACT score when applying.

86%

Similar to the SAT, SDSU does not require applicants to submit either SAT or ACT scores. However, during the Fall 2021 admissions season, around 86% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

The middle 50% of admitted students received a composite ACT score between 19 and 25, with 25% scoring above 25 and another 25% scoring below 19.

For the admitted students who submitted ACT scores, their scores placed most of them around the middle, above 50% of test takers nationally.

  • English

    17-24
  • Math

    18-26
  • Composite

    19-25

Application Fees

Fall 2021

$20

Undergraduate

$35

Graduate

Applicants Stats

The following table details the number of students who applied, admitted, and enrolled in SDSU during the Fall 2021 enrollment season.

Total Men Women
Applicants 5,774 2,560 3,187
Admitted students 5,048 2,233 2,814
Enrolled students 2,019 933 1,086
Acceptance rate 87% 87% 88%
Yield rate 40% 42% 39%
    • Total Applicants

      During the Fall 2021 enrollment season, SDSU received a total of 5,774 applications. These applications included 2,560 male applicants and 3,187 female applicants.
    • Admitted Students

      Out of the 5,774 applicants, SDSU admitted 5,048 students. Among the admitted students, there were 2,233 males and 2,814 females who received offers of admission.
    • Enrolled Students

      Among the admitted students, 2,019 students chose to enroll at SDSU. This means that 2,019 students accepted the admission offers and officially registered to attend the university for the Fall 2021 term. Among the enrolled students, 933 were male and 1,086 were female.
    • Acceptance Rate

      The acceptance rate is the percentage of applicants who were offered admission. In this case, SDSU had an overall acceptance rate of 87% for the Fall 2021 enrollment season. When we break it down by gender, the acceptance rate for male applicants was 87% while the acceptance rate for female applicants was 88%.
    • Yield Rate

      The yield rate is the percentage of admitted students who actually chose to enroll at the university. SDSU had an overall yield rate of 40% for the Fall 2021 term. The yield rate for male admitted students was 42%, and for female admitted students, it was 39%.

Admission and Enrollment Trends

The following table presents the application, admission, and enrollment statistics for SDSU over the past 7 years.

Applicants Admitted Students Acceptance Rate Enrolled Students Yield Rate
Year Total Men Women Total Men Women Total Men Women Total Men Women Total Men Women
2015 5,060 2,483 2,577 4,640 2,239 2,401 92% 90% 93% 2,222 1,078 1,144 48% 48% 48%
2016 5,173 2,499 2,674 4,695 2,216 2,479 91% 89% 93% 2,273 1,059 1,214 48% 48% 49%
2017 5,551 2,642 2,909 5,072 2,403 2,669 91% 91% 92% 2,272 1,134 1,138 45% 47% 43%
2018 5,390 2,555 2,835 4,982 2,341 2,641 92% 92% 93% 2,180 1,053 1,127 44% 45% 43%
2019 5,861 2,632 3,229 5,277 2,345 2,932 90% 89% 91% 2,123 1,001 1,122 40% 43% 38%
2020 5,290 2,398 2,882 4,705 2,105 2,599 89% 88% 90% 2,087 950 1,137 44% 45% 44%
2021 5,774 2,560 3,187 5,048 2,233 2,814 87% 87% 88% 2,019 933 1,086 40% 42% 39%

Admission Requirements

Fall 2021

South Dakota State University uses the following list of admission requirements and recommended documents when evaluating students' applications. All documents listed under the Required sections must be submitted with your application, but those listed under the Recommended section are optional.

SDSU is a test-optional college where applicants are not required to submit standardized test (SAT or ACT) scores with their applications. Test scores are considered if submitted, but they are not mandatory. In the 1 enrollment season, 1 of admitted students submitted SAT scores, and 1 submitted ACT scores for admission. Please double-check with the school to verify the current and complete admission requirements.

Required

  • Secondary school GPA
  • Secondary school rank
  • Secondary school record
  • Completion of college-preparatory program
  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

Considered

  • Recommendation letters
  • Test scores (SAT/ACT)

Neither required nor recommended

  • Formal demonstration of competencies
  • Other tests (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Accepted Credits

Fall 2021

The following is a list of college preparatory work and life experience that are accepted at South Dakota State University.

  • Credit for life experiences

    Accepted
  • Advanced placement (AP) credits

    Accepted
  • Dual credit (college credit earned while in high school)

    Accepted