About South Dakota State University
Founded in 1881, South Dakota State University first began as an agricultural school around the time that South Dakota gained statehood. By the 1920s, the school offered programs in five divisions: Agriculture, Engineering, General Science, Home Economics, and Pharmacy. By the mid-nineteenth century, a nursing program was introduced, followed by graduate programs. South Dakota State College became South Dakota State University in 1964 and the school continued to expand its academic offerings. South Dakota State currently implements a five-year strategic plan, Impact 2018: A Strategic Vision, that “will enhance the future of South Dakota citizens while supporting positive change and meeting the challenges of a global, complex, and interconnected society.”
South Dakota State University is the state’s largest, most comprehensive higher education institution. As South Dakota’s Morrill Act land-grant university, SDSU offers a full range of undergraduate and graduate programs, from certificates to doctoral degrees. The university also offers courses on various off-campus sites as well as undergraduate and graduate programs online through the Office of Continuing and Distance Education. These online degrees offer a flexible, high-quality educational opportunity that is designed to meet student needs. University professors teaching SDState online degrees actively engage in the digital classroom with courses that are designed with the same attention to quality as those found on campus.
Accreditation & Licensing
South Dakota State University is accredited by:
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Type:
4-year, PublicHighest Level Offered:
Doctor's degreeReligious Affiliation:
Not applicableEnrollment:
Undergraduate: 12,095 ; Graduate: 1,678Percent of Fully Online Students:
Undergraduate: 25% ; Graduate: 26%Graduation Rate:
62%Median Earnings, 10-Years After Degree Completion:
$55,070Median Debt After Graduation (4-Year Degree):
$23,250Average Undergraduates Receiving Aid:
66%Per Undergraduate Average Aid Award:
$6,191Credit for Military Training:
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South Dakota State University is featured in 20 of our ranking reports!
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Geographic and Educational Overview
South Dakota State University is located in South Dakota
South Dakota at a Glance:
Top Majors in South Dakota:
Top Incentives in South Dakota:
- South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship: Up to $6,500 total
Top Career Pathways in South Dakota:
- Entry Level: Farm Manager ($45,000)
- Mid Level: Agricultural Director ($75,000)
- Senior Level: Operations Executive ($120,000+)
- Required Education: BS Agricultural Business
- Certifications: CCA, CPAg
