First-year deadlines, 2026–27
| Plan | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Rolling admission The college reviews applications as they arrive until the class is full. | Rolling |
Plans are listed in calendar order. What the plans mean
Source: sdstate.edu · checked September 30, 2026
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price after grants, in-state students, by family income
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard · data snapshot October 2, 2026
Biggest majors
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse | 315 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | 153 |
| Psychology | 76 |
| Biomedical Sciences | 76 |
| Animal Sciences | 76 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 71 |
| Human Development and Family Studies | 59 |
| Early Childhood Education and Teaching | 58 |
Show the other 70 majors
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 55 |
| Civil Engineering | 52 |
| General Studies | 42 |
| Agriculture | 41 |
| Pharmaceutics and Drug Design | 39 |
| Agricultural Teacher Education | 36 |
| Construction Management | 32 |
| Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology | 30 |
| Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations | 28 |
| Agricultural Mechanization | 27 |
| Mathematics | 27 |
| Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist | 27 |
| History | 26 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences | 25 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies | 24 |
| Data Science | 22 |
| Political Science and Government | 20 |
| Environmental/Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services | 19 |
| Graphic Design | 19 |
| Community Health and Preventive Medicine | 19 |
| Interior Design | 18 |
| Criminology | 18 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 18 |
| Agronomy and Crop Science | 17 |
| Engineering/Industrial Management | 17 |
| Consumer Economics | 17 |
| Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management | 16 |
| Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology | 15 |
| Physical Education Teaching and Coaching | 15 |
| Agricultural Engineering | 15 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | 15 |
| Advertising | 14 |
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 14 |
| Environmental Studies | 14 |
| Sociology | 13 |
| Spanish Language and Literature | 12 |
| English Language and Literature | 12 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 11 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician | 10 |
| Dairy Science | 10 |
| Public Relations/Image Management | 8 |
| Geography and Environmental Studies | 8 |
| Economics | 8 |
| Dietetics/Dietitian | 8 |
| Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies | 8 |
| Music Teacher Education | 7 |
| Microbiology | 7 |
| Biotechnology | 6 |
| Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts | 6 |
| Landscape Architecture | 6 |
| Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management | 5 |
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography | 5 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 5 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Home Economics Teacher Education | 5 |
| Journalism | 5 |
| Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations | 5 |
| Agricultural Production Operations | 5 |
| Natural Resources/Conservation | 4 |
| Music | 4 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 3 |
| Fine/Studio Arts | 3 |
| Chemistry | 3 |
| Biochemistry | 3 |
| Food Science | 3 |
| French Language and Literature | 2 |
| Apparel and Textile Marketing Management | 2 |
| Physics | 2 |
| Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist | 2 |
| American Indian/Native American Studies | 1 |
| Chemistry Teacher Education | 1 |
Bachelor’s graduates, first major, most recent year · Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, IPEDS · data snapshot October 2, 2026
Scholarships
Scholarships named on South Dakota State University’s own pages include Dian and Harlan Stai Honors Access Scholarship; Dian and Harlan Stai Honors Scholarship; Elma and Dolores Haver Scholarship.
- See all scholarships on South Dakota State University’s sitesdstate.edu/admissions/first-time-student-schol…
- See all scholarships on South Dakota State University’s sitesdstate.edu/admissions/transfer-student-scholarships
Amounts and eligibility change; check the college’s page for current details.
Sports and campus life
Men’s varsity · NCAA Division I, The Summit League
Baseball, Basketball, Football, Golf, Swimming and Diving (combined), Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), Wrestling
Women’s varsity · NCAA Division I, The Summit League
Basketball, Equestrian, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving (combined), Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), Volleyball
ROTC
Air Force, Army
Faith groups
Cru, Hillel, InterVarsity, Newman Connection
Also
Honors college, Study abroad
Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education athletics data (EADA), hillel.org · checked September 4, 2026 · data snapshot October 2, 2026
The place
Setting
Town, remote
Federal locale classification
Metro area
Brookings, SD
36,359 people
Big-city metro (1 million+)
No
More about the place
Nearest airport
Watertown Regional (ATY)
Nearest hub airport
Minneapolis-St Paul International/Wold-Chamberlain (MSP)
Walkability
EPA walkability index 7.2 of 20
Elevation
1,639 ft
Time zone
Central
January low
4°F
July high
81°F
Annual snowfall
35.8 in
Days at 90°F or higher
8 per year
One-bedroom fair market rent
$850 per month
Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education (IPEDS locale), U.S. Census metro estimates, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, EPA walkability · data snapshot October 2, 2026
Colleges nearby
- Dakota State University27 mi
- Southwest Minnesota State University51 mi
- University of Sioux Falls54 mi
- Augustana University55 mi
- Dakota Wesleyan University75 mi
- Dordt University91 mi
Straight-line distance between campuses
Similar colleges
Public, town campus, NCAA Division I, similar size
- Central Michigan University10,055 students
- Western Carolina University10,009 students
- Louisiana Tech University10,401 students
- Troy University10,468 students
- Stephen F Austin State University9,575 students
- University of Idaho9,269 students