University of South Dakota

Vermillion, SD

Public midsize campus Town: Distant 5,439 undergrads

Affordability & debt

Average net price
$19,858per year, after aid
Undergraduates with a federal loan
40%
Undergraduates receiving a Pell grant
19%need-based, not repaid
Typical debt at graduation
$23,592federal loans, students who finished
Reducing their balance within 3 years
69%of borrowers who entered repayment

What that debt costs to repay. Typical debt here is about $23,592. At 7% over 10 years — the standard federal plan — that is roughly $274 a month, about $32,871 repaid in total, of which $9,279 is interest.

Stretch the same balance over 25 years and the payment drops to $167 a month — but the total climbs to $50,023, roughly $17,152 more in interest. A smaller payment is not a smaller loan.

An estimate, not financial advice: straight amortization at a fixed rate, ignoring fees, interest accrued while enrolled, and any forgiveness or income-driven plan. Figures on this page are averages and medians — what any one family borrows and pays varies widely. Try your own numbers.

University of South Dakota’s net price calculator — every college is required to publish one. It is the only way to get a cost estimate based on your family’s own finances rather than an average.

Published tuition

In-state tuition
$9,432published rate
Out-of-state tuition
$12,942published rate

The sticker price before any aid. Most students pay less than this — the net price above is what aided students actually paid on average.

Admissions

Acceptance rate
99%
Average SAT
1,125of admitted students
Average ACT
22of admitted students

Context for the class as a whole, not a prediction about any one applicant.

Outcomes

Median earnings
$51,92610 years after entry

Median earnings of former students who received federal aid, measured 10 years after they started.

Campus life

Campus setting
Town: Distant
Residential character
Primarily residential — many students live on campus

Most common fields of study

  • Health professions27%
  • Business & marketing19%
  • Education9%
  • Biological & biomedical sciences7%
  • Parks, recreation & fitness7%
  • Psychology5%

Share of degrees awarded, by broad field.

Athletics

NCAA Division I-FCS

  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Diving
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Track and Field
  • Volleyball

What borrowing would really cost

Starting from the typical debt at University of South Dakota. Change any figure to see your own.

Federal undergraduate loans have recently been near 7%. Private loans are often higher.

Standard plan — 10 years

$274per month

Total repaid
$32,871
Interest paid
$9,279

Longer term — 25 years

$167per month

Total repaid
$50,023
Interest paid
$26,431

Borrow $23,592 and repay it over 25 years instead of 10, and you pay $17,152 more — $50,023 in all, about 2.1× what you borrowed. The monthly payment is smaller; the loan is not.

An estimate, not financial advice. Straight amortization at a fixed rate: it assumes every payment is made on time and the rate never changes, and it leaves out fees, interest that accrues while you’re still enrolled, and any forgiveness or income-driven plan. Planning4College is not a financial advisor and sells no loans. Check real terms with your school’s financial aid office and studentaid.gov.

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Data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Equity in Athletics survey. Figures reflect the most recent reporting year available and may be out of date or incomplete — confirm anything decision-critical with the college directly. Official site: University of South Dakota.