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University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota

10,405 Students on Campus
Vermillion Location
11,915 Metro Population
10,405 Students on Campus
Vermillion Location
11,915 Metro Population

About This Campus

Founded in 1862 and the first university in the Dakotas, the University of South Dakota is the only public liberal arts university in the state, with 202 undergraduate and 93 graduate programs in the College of Arts & Sciences, School of Education, School of Law, Sanford School of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Beacom School of Business, and College of Fine Arts. With an enrollment of over 10,000 students and more than 400 faculty, USD has a 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio and ranks among the best in academics and affordability. USD’s 16 athletic programs compete at the NCAA Division I level.

The state's flagship university: big-time university with a small-college feel.

NCAA Division I: Come experience Tailgate Nation!

Choose from more than 200 organizations and clubs!

Helpful Information

While Vermillion and USD are very walkable, students are encouraged to have their own transportation for easier access to nearby cities, shopping and recreation opportunities.

Location Information

Vermillion, South Dakota, is located along the Missouri River in southeast South Dakota. Driving time to Sioux Falls, SD - 1 hr., Sioux City, IA - 45 min., Omaha, NE - 2 hrs., Minneapolis, MN - 5 hrs. Close to larger cities, it offers friendly, small-town living and access to recreation, including the Missouri River. South Dakota is also home to Mount Rushmore, Badlands National Park, the Black Hills, and many other sites of historical and cultural interest.

Academics

REGISTRATION:
TERM DATES:

Fall Start Date: 08/24/2025 - Fall End Date: 12/21/2025

Spring Start Date: 01/12/2026 - Spring End Date: 05/13/2026

Summer Start Date: 05/11/2026 - Summer End Date: 08/07/2026

CLOSED PROGRAMS:

Dental Hygiene Nursing

RESTRICTED/LIMITED PROGRAMS:

College of Fine Arts College of Health Sciences

NOTABLE ACADEMICS PROGRAMS:
  • Business — Business - The Beacom School of Business is the region’s leader in business education offering a quality program that is fully accredited by AACSB International.
  • Computer Science — Computer Science - At USD, our award-winning and highly experienced faculty have more than 35 combined years of teaching experience, specializing in artificial intelligence, machine learning and more. We are the first computer science program in the state of South Dakota, offering the state's only artificial intelligence program. Our students learn to think outside the box and creatively solve problems.
  • Journalism — Journalism - Famous Alumni of the USD Media and Journalism Department include Al Neuharth, creator of USA Today and Tom Brokaw, author and NBC Nightly News anchor. The department send students around the world for internships and has a strong reputation for graduating students who work at a national-level.
  • Music — Music - USD is home to the National Music Museum and offers opportunities for studies in musical history, performance and education. USD ensembles have won several national awards.
  • Psychology — Psychology - In addition to addiction studies, counseling and other psychology fields, USD is home to the Disaster Mental Health Institute (DMHI), one of the leading agencies in the field of disaster psychology. Many faculty actively respond to natural and man-made disasters the world over and specialized classes and a minor in these issues is available.
UNIQUE ACADEMICS PROGRAMS:
  • American Indian Studies — Students can study Lakota culture, language and governance, as well as broader Native American policy and history.
  • Lakota — Lakota Sioux language, culture and governance.
OPTIONS:

Honors Access: Yes

UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS OPEN TO NSE STUDENTS:

Conditions

GPA AND OTHER ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS:
EXCHANGE PREFERENCES:
  • Full Year Exchange: Accepted
  • Single Term Exchange: Accepted
  • Summer Exchange: Summer Only Accepted
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (Visa Students):
  • Does your campus accept International Students (those already in the U.S. on a student visa)? Will accept on Home or Away
CANADIAN EXCHANGE:
Learn More
  • Receive from Canada: Will Accept Away/Home Pay
  • Accept international students studying in Canada on a visa? - Yes

Tuition/Finance

Figures per Semester are current as of 11/25/2025
TUITION:
  • Campus Budget
  • Fees are subject to change without notice
  • Home Tuition Payment: Available
  • Away Tuition Payment: Available
    Estimated cost: $4716
MAXIMUM CREDIT HOURS PER SEMESTER:
  • Home Payment: 18
  • Host Payment: 18
MISCELLANEOUS FEES:
Purpose
Amount
Period
Plan
Status
Housing Fee
$100
Year
Away & Home
Optional
Admission Fee
$21
Year
Away & Home
Mandatory
Course Fees/Materials
$0
Term
Away & Home
Mandatory
NSE Program Fee
$150
Year
Away & Home
Mandatory
Parking Fee
$185
Year
Away & Home
Optional
International Student Fee
$150
Term
Away & Home
Mandatory
IMPORTANT NOTES:

The international student fee applies only to students on an F-1 visa. Outgoing students will have a $120 Global Learning Charge added to their bill.

Financial Aid for NSE Students. Regardless of Payment Plan, financial aid is awarded by and disbursed from your home campus.

Room/Meals

Figures per Semester are current as of 11/21/2025
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING PER SEMESER:
  • Is on-campus housing available? Yes
  • Is on-campus living required? No
  • Number of reserved housing spaces: 0
  • Average Room Cost (per term): $2329
  • On-Campus Housing
Off-CAMPUS HOUSING:
NOTES ABOUT ON-CAMPUS HOUSING:

Double Occupancy traditional-style dorm room - $2504.

NOTES ABOUT OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING:

Approximate monthly cost: $750 (with or without Utilities included). Proximity to campus: 1 mile.

MEAL PLANS:
  • Are meal plans available on campus? Yes
  • Is a meal plan purchase required for on-campus, non-apartment residence halls? Yes
  • Average Meal Plan Cost (per term): $2140
  • Campus Meal Plans
NOTES ABOUT MEAL PLANS:

Yote Pack 70 (Default Meal Plan) 70 meals/semester - $1,109.00 flex/semester Available to ALL students $2,140/semester https://www.usd.edu/Admissions-and-Aid/Tuition-and-Costs/Housing-and-Dining-Costs

Fees are subject to change without notice.

Chance of Acceptance

Priority Placements for Academic Year 26/27

If this is your top choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

Away Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

If this is your alternate choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Excellent

This campus accepts most (75%+) applicants. You may want to consider adding alternate choice campuses marked as OPEN or EXCELLENT to ensure placement.

Away Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

Resources

CAMPUS SOCIAL MEDIA: