The U is located on an attractive 216-acre campus in Vermillion, a small community nestled along the bluffs above the Missouri River in the southeast corner of South Dakota. Vermillion serves as a safe, clean host for the University and recreational and cultural opportunities abound in town, the nearby countryside, and in neighboring communities.

Today the University is an acknowledged leader of higher learning committed to excellence in education, research and service.  The University of South Dakota is a comprehensive, doctorate granting institution and is designated as the state's only liberal arts university. The U houses the state's only law and medical schools and the only College of Fine Arts.

The University of South Dakota has been accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools since 1913. The U is an active member of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges and many other state agencies. Individual schools and departments have received additional accreditation from appropriate professional organizations.

Following its mission, the U seeks to provide graduate and undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences and in  professional education, to promote excellence in teaching and learning, to support research, scholarly and creative activities, and to provide service to South Dakota and the region.

Recognized by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review and others, the U is considered one of the nation's top colleges for academic excellence and affordability.

Our caring and dedicated faculty and staff are committed to educational excellence. Each year, the scholarship and research contributions of our faculty result in millions in grants, numerous awards, innovations, insights, and national recognition. 

Beyond the classroom, The U provides opportunities for involvement in Division I athletics, music, theatre and a wide range of other recreational, cultural, social and professional activities and organizations. The U is home to the area’s only domed stadium, the DakotaDome, as well as the world-famous America's National Music Museum and the state’s most cherished public university building, Old Main.

The U is one of six universities governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents.

The U At A Glance

Enrollment, Fall 2008: 9,291

World Class Education

When it comes to producing top scholars, The U's quality of teaching and research prepares students for continuing education with institutions such as Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern and beyond.

Nationally competitive scholarships are often hard to win, however, U students win one or more of these competitions virtually every year.

Faculty offer personal attention and a welcoming atmosphere, helping students realize their dreams and discover potential they didn't know they had.