South Dakota State University
Acceptance
98%
Avg SAT
1120
In-State
$9,299
Grad Rate (4yr)
46%
Retention
84%
Earnings
$55,070
AI Overview
South Dakota State University, nestled in charming Brookings, is the state's premier land-grant institution known for its powerhouse agriculture programs—from hands-on farm operations to agribusiness leadership. The campus blends small-town friendliness with serious research opportunities, attracting self-motivated students who want personalized attention without sacrificing resources. With a 99% acceptance rate, the university bets on potential over test scores, creating a welcoming environment where motivated learners flourish through doing rather than just studying.
AI-generated interpretation, separate from the federal statistics on this page · refreshed Mar 2026
SAT Score Range
ACT Score Range
In-State Tuition
$9,299
Out-of-State Tuition
$12,809
Room & Board
$10,176
Average Net Price
$19,841
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants & scholarships
Receive Pell Grants
17%
Take Federal Loans
43%
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
6-Year Graduation Rate
1st Year Retention Rate
Median Earnings
10 years after enrollment
$55,070Median Debt
At graduation for completers
$23,250Top Programs by Earnings
Bachelor's degree graduatesPharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration
60 graduates
$122,169
4 yrs after graduation
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
12 graduates
$103,018
4 yrs after graduation
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician
$93,195
4 yrs after graduation
Mechanical Engineering
72 graduates
$87,704
4 yrs after graduation
Computer and Information Sciences, General
12 graduates
$83,815
4 yrs after graduation
Civil Engineering
47 graduates
$82,486
4 yrs after graduation
Agricultural Engineering
10 graduates
$79,322
4 yrs after graduation
Plant Sciences
36 graduates
$78,494
4 yrs after graduation
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
290 graduates
$77,932
4 yrs after graduation
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions
27 graduates
$73,360
4 yrs after graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
Available Programs
105+ programsAnd 93 more programs available
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