University of South Dakota
Right Quality. Right Size. Right Price.
We are the University of South Dakota - the big-time public research university with a small-college feel. We're world-class academics and out-of-class opportunities. We're innovative technology and long-standing tradition. We’re community orientated and future focused.
The University of South Dakota is a nationally ranked university, and according to College Board, the least expensive Flagship University in the US for non-residents with an undergraduate tuition fee of $12,942. Scholarships, assistantships and work opportunities offer many students additional funding.
On-campus residence halls make getting to class quick and safe and the park-like campus and four seasons provide beautiful surroundings.
Academic Excellence
USD’s academic reputation has a long history, including Nobel Laureate Ernest Lawrence who invented the cyclotron and is also the namesake of chemical element 103 – Lawrencium. Today, excellence is reflected in the quality of the facilities and research equipment, in faculty credentials, and in student outcomes like job and graduate school placements. All programs at USD commit to teaching excellence and engage in original research.
Comprehensive Offerings: Check out USD's full list of over 200 undergraduate programs and more than 70 graduate programs. Programs popular with international students are highlighted below, but make sure you look at our complete list for all majors and minors including significant offerings in the arts, social sciences, and humanities.
Health, Healthcare, and Biotechnology: Whether you want to provide direct healthcare, manage the business of hospitals, design medical products or conduct basic biomedical research, USD has a health related program to fit your interests.
Business (AACSB accredited): Undergraduates can earn both a BBA and an MBA (or MPA) in five years through a fast-track option that includes ten majors. Graduate students can raise their job competitiveness with a one year MS in business analytics or an MBA. USD offers STEM-designated business degrees in Operational Analytics (BBA) and Business Analytics (MBA/MS).
STEM: From biology and computer science to physics and sustainability and everything in between. USD's programs also have cutting-edge specializations, like artificial intelligence in our Computer Science (BS/MS) program, medical device manufacturing and development in our Biomedical Engineering program (BS/MS/PhD), and applied physics.
Research Centers offer unique collaborative research experiences for both undergraduate and graduate students. These include:
SPACT – Center for Security Printing & Anti-Counterfeiting Technology, a cooperative center creating innovative technologies involved in up-converting nanoparticles for fingerprint identification and DNA extraction, and much more.
GEMADARC – Germanium Materials and Detectors Advancement Research Consortium. USD is a lead partner in this global consortium, which seeks to advance germanium technologies for the search for dark matter, neutrinoless double-beta decay, and more.
CBBRe – Center for Brain and Behavior Research. A cross-disciplinary endeavour, CBBRe develops innovative treatments and technology in Neurology, Neuropsychology and Psychiatry. Members include faculty, staff and students from a variety of departments including biology/chemistry, psychology, addiction studies and basic biomedical sciences.
Student Satisfaction
In several important areas, our students report satisfaction rates significantly higher than national averages. These include (on a 6.0 scale):
- nearly all of the faculty are knowledgeable in their field – 5.98
- faculty are usually available after class and during office hours – 5.90
- my advisor is approachable – 5.93
- my advisor is knowledgeable about requirements in my major – 5.88
- there is a strong commitment to racial harmony – 5.58
- campus is safe and secure for all students – 5.74
- on the whole, the campus is well maintained – 6.0 (highest of all surveyed schools)
In a separate survey of academic engagement, 90% of seniors rated their entire education experience at USD as “excellent” or “good.”
Unique Size
University of South Dakota (USD) is a big-time university:
- USD is a research intensive university with graduate programs in most majors, advanced technologies, and funding for research and travel.
- USD’s influence extends beyond campus through the whole state and into the world.
- Division I athletics – experience the traditions and excitement of fall football games, championship winter basketball and competitions in nine other sports.
- The Honors Program brings undergraduate students with outstanding academic skills together from all disciplines across campus for unique classes and a freshman living experience.
- A large campus of 274 acres, with several dozen classroom, administrative, and housing buildings.
With a small college feel:
- Total enrollment of 9,464 students.
- Student-Faculty ratio of 15:1.
- Small Classes. Professors get to know you; they help you master material, identify internships, get practical experience on research projects, or gain admission to the graduate program of your dreams.
- Residence halls are on campus; all first year undergraduates are guaranteed a room.
- Faculty members, not graduate students, teach most introductory classes.
- In lab research, you have direct contact and mentorship from the laboratory director.
- Everything on campus is less than a 15-minute walk.
Scholarships and Funding
The University of South Dakota's international advantage is quality, safety and affordability. In addition to the lowest tuition rates among all 50 Flagship Universities in the US you may be able to find:
- Undergraduate Scholarships: Qualified students are eligible for several renewable merit awards covering from ten to eighty percent of your annual tuition costs or a competition that covers half of the costs of a standard residence hall room.
- Graduate Assistantships: Students typically fund their studies with assistantships selected at the department level. A limited number of assistantships are available in support offices around campus.
- Work on campus: Undergraduate and graduate students are successful at finding campus employment of up to 20 hours per week during the school year and 40 hours per week during the summer. In fact, over 90 percent of USD students that want a job, have a job on campus. The minumum wage is $10/hr, with many students earning above that mark.