univstats
Acceptance Rate 83.24%
Yield (Enrollment Ratio) 31.93%
Applicants 24,364
Admitted 20,280
Enrolled 6,476

Applying To South Dakota Colleges

The average acceptance rate is 83.24% at South Dakota colleges and universities, a total of 24,364 students applied and 20,280 were accepted. The average undergraduate application fees is $31 and the graduate application fees is $40. The following table presents the general admission information for applying to South Dakota colleges.
General Admission Information of South Dakota Colleges
Open Admission Policy13 out of 29 schools
Undergraduate Application Fees$31
Graduate Application Fees$40
Acceptance Rate83.24%
Yield (Enrollment Rate)31.93%
Test Scores1,115 SAT / 22 ACT

Acceptance Rates and Headcounts

For the academic year 2023-2024, total 24,364 students (11,507 men and 12,807 women) applied to and 20,280 (9,141 men and 11,118 women) students were accepted to admit South Dakota Colleges. Among them, 2,975 men and 3,501 women were enrolled into South Dakota schools.
The average acceptance rate is 83.24% and admission yield (enrollment rate) is 31.93%. The table below shows the South Dakota colleges admission statistics including admission and enrolment rates.
Admission Statistics for South Dakota Colleges (2023-2024)
TotalMenWomen
Applicants24,36411,50712,807
Admitted20,2809,14111,118
Enrolled6,4762,9753,501
Acceptance Rate 83.24% 79.44% 86.81%
Yield (Enrollment Rate) 31.93% 32.55% 31.49%
[Chart]South Dakota Colleges Average Acceptance Rate and Yield

Average SAT and ACT Scores

396 students (11.00%) submitted their SAT scores and 4,746 students (70.00%) submitted their ACT scores for seeking degrees. For score submitters, SAT 75th percentile score is 1,252 and 25th percentile score is 978. For ACT scores, 75th percentile score is 25 and 25th percentile score is 19.
The following table shows the detailed SAT and ACT scores distribution of first-time enrolled students at South Dakota colleges and universities.
SAT and ACT Score Distribution at South Dakota Colleges
25th Percentile75th Percentile
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing487617
SAT Math491635
ACT Composite1925
ACT Math1825
ACT English1724
[Chart] SAT/ACT Distribution - South Dakota Colleges
[Chart] Average SAT Scores - South Dakota Colleges
[Chart] Average ACT Scores - South Dakota Colleges

Calendar System and Accepted Credits

In South Dakota State, 18 schools use semester calendar systems and 2 schools are based on quarter system. Next table lists the number of schools with their calendar systems.
Semester18 out of 29 schools
Quarter2 out of 29 schools
Trimester0 out of 29 schools
Four-one-four plan2 out of 29 schools
Other academic year2 out of 29 schools
Differs by program2 out of 29 schools
Continuous2 out of 29 schools
Un-Known/Other1 out of 29 schools
Next table describes credits that South Dakota colleges and universities are accepting for their students
Dual Credits22 out of 29 schools
Credits for Life Experiences15 out of 29 schools
Advanced placement (AP) Credits19 out of 29 schools
Credit for Military Training18 out of 29 schools

Application Requirements

10 South Dakota schools require High School GPA and 9 schools require High School Record (or Transcript). The test scores such as SAT and ACT are required by 0 South Dakota colleges. Next table summarizes the application requirements for applying to South Dakota colleges.
Admission Checklist for South Dakota Colleges
RequiredRecommended
High School GPA100
High School Rank40
High School Record (or Transcript)90
Completion of College Preparatory Program40
Recommendations10
Formal Demonstration of Competencies00
Admission Test Scores00
TOEFL70
Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)00