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Admission Requirements

To be considered for freshman admission to the University of South Dakota, you should meet the following admission requirements:

First Time Students 

General Requirements
  • Earn a grade point average of at least 2.6 (4.0 scale) in all high school courses
    OR
  • Rank in the upper 50% of your high school graduating class
    OR
  • Achieve an ACT composite score of 21 or above (SAT 1070)
    OR
  • Achieve a 3 or higher on the English Language Arts and Mathematics Smarter Balanced Assessments
High School Coursework Requirements

Students should complete the following listed core classes with a "C" average or better.

  • 4 years of English
    OR ACT English sub-test score of 21 or above OR AP English score of 3 or above

  • 3 years of Advanced Mathematics
    OR ACT Math sub-test score of 23 or above OR AP Calculus score of 3 or above

  • 3 years of Laboratory Science
    OR ACT Science Reasoning sub-test score of 20 or above OR AP Science score of 3 or above

  • 3 years of Social Science
    OR ACT Social Studies/Reading sub-test score of 20 or above OR AP Social Studies score of 3 or above

  • 1 year Fine Arts for students graduating from South Dakota high schools
    OR AP Fine Arts score of 3 or above
Home-Schooled or Non-Accredited High School Students

If you are a home-schooled student or a non-accredited high school student, you can be admitted to USD using one of the following criteria:
  • Meet the minimum academic course requirements, listed above in the High School Coursework Requirements, with a "C" average or higher. This must be demonstrated by a certified home school or non-accredited high school transcript approved by USD.
    OR
  • Obtain an ACT composite score of 21 or higher, or a SAT Math and Reading/Writing subscore total of 1070 or higher

Home-schooled or non-accredited high school graduates must submit an official transcript (in a semester format) for review from either an accredited regional authority or home school provider in conjunction with state requirements.

Transfer or Readmit Students

General Requirements
  • Complete 24 or more semester credits
  • Transfer students under the age of 24 who have earned fewer than 24 semester credits must also meet the freshman admission requirements
  • 2.0 or higher cumulative grade point average
  • Students with less than a 2.0 GPA are subject to review and may be admitted on probation
  • Remain in good standing with your most recently attended school