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| Overall Score On StateUniversity.com (about) | 87.8 |
| Total CostOn-Campus Attendance | $16,195 |
| AdmissionSuccess rate | 93% |
| ACT75 %ile scores | 26 |
| Student RatioRatio of students to faculty | 19 : 1 |
| Retention(Full-Time / Part-Time) | 78% / 51% |
| EnrollmentTotal (all students) | 12,376 |
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South Dakota State University was founded in 1881 as a land grant institution. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. It is classed as a Doctoral Research University—Intensive by the Carnegie Institute.
South Dakota State’s academic programs are offered through its eight unique colleges, including Agriculture & Biological Sciences, Arts & Science, Education & Counseling, Engineering, Family & Consumer Sciences, General Studies & Outreach Programs, Nursing, and Pharmacy. SDSU also offers a Distance Education course for undergraduates who live far from the campus, nontraditional students, or students who are temporarily on leave. The SDSU Honors College offers outstanding students a smaller class setting, more demanding curriculum, and motivation to achieve above and beyond expectations.
South Dakota State University has academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. There are 10 colleges: the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, the College of Arts and Science, the College of Education and Counseling, the College of Engineering, the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, the College of General Studies and Outreach Programs, the College of Nursing, the College of Pharmacy, the Graduate School, and the Honors College.
Bachelor’s degrees are offered in a variety of fields within the various academic colleges. Degrees at the bachelor’s level can be received in such areas as liberal studies, pre-professional programs, dairy production, animal science, entomology, landscape architecture, range science, art, communication studies & theatre, graphic design, microbiology, music, public recreation, education, engineering, interior design, and nursing. There are minors in many of these fields and also in areas such as zoology, botany, pest management, American Indian studies, military science, and religion.
Graduate programs are offered in approximately 30 fields, generally in the sciences and education rather than in the liberal arts. These include master’s level programs in various areas of agriculture, biology, English, geography, mathematics, education, engineering, industrial management, nursing, and family & consumer science. Doctoral degrees are offered in agronomy, animal science, atmospheric, environmental & water resources, biological sciences, chemistry, and sociology; there is also a D. Pharm. through the College of Pharmacy. Secondary education certification is offered in 23 areas.
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The Ethel Austin Martin program, named in honor of the SDSU alumnus who originally funded it, provides for the retention and support of an outstanding faculty member in the nutrition sciences, highlighting SDSU’s commitment to science and discovery in the light of human improvement. As part of the program, the Martin fund also supports programs that enrich all students and faculty at SDSU.
In addition to its many undergraduate degree programs, SDSU offers a number of pre-professional programs, including pre-law, pre-chiropractic, pre-optometry, pre-mortuary, and pre-physical therapy concentrations.
South Dakota State University has an undergraduate Honors Program. Students who seek admission to the Honors Program need to meet the following requirements: an ACT score of 27 or higher, and/or a class rank in the top 10%. Once admitted to the Honors Program, students will take part in smaller classes, including a first year Honors seminar, be able to live on the Honors floor of a residence hall, and work on an independent study project.
South Dakota State University has cooperative extension programs in agricultural safety and wellness, climate, crops, family & consumer sciences, farm management/marketing, horticulture, and livestock.
Research is supported at all levels; there is a journal of undergraduate research for undergraduate students to publish the results of the research they have done. The Agricultural Experiment Station performs research on animal disease, offers seed and soil testing, and does research on native and domesticated plants.
A successful applicant to SDSU must meet one of several academic requirements: either graduate in the top 60% of his or her high school class, achieve an cumulative ACT score of 18 or above (cumulative SAT score of 870 or above, or achieve a high school grade point average of 2.6 on a 4.0 scale. In addition, an applicant must have completed four years of English; three years each of mathematics, laboratory science, and social science; and one year of fine arts. Any of these curricular requirements can be replaced by successful scores or credits from advanced placement. Every new student at SDSU goes through New Student Orientation. Orientation allows students to meet others with similar interests, learn the layout of the SDSU campus, experience various disciplines of study, and become prepared for the university lifestyle. Admissions counselors from SDSU regularly visit high schools and high school students throughout the country in what are called “Jackrabbit Receptions.” These introductory events are an opportunity for high school students to learn about SDSU, meet with faculty, and even win scholarships for SDSU attendance.
South Dakota State University has a rolling undergraduate admissions deadline; however, students are encouraged to apply six to ten months in advance. The application fee is $20. Applications can be submitted on-line. Students who are enrolled in high school at the time of application will need to have their official final high school transcripts sent after graduation to the Admissions Office.
As part of their application, students should submit high school transcripts and ACT or SAT test scores. Students should have completed high school courses as follows: 4 units of English, 3 units of mathematics, 3 units of history and social studies, 3 units of science and 1 unit of fine arts. Students must generally meet the following minimum requirements: high school GPA of 2.6 or a combination of an ACT score of 18 (SAT 870) and a class rank in the upper 60%.
Transfer students and international students will have varying requirements depending upon their prior educational background.
Students applying to the graduate programs at South Dakota State University should consult the individual department and/or school to which they are applying for application requirements and deadlines. Applications can be submitted on-line, and the application fee is $35. General requirements include the GRE or other appropriate test scores (such as the GMAT), two letters of recommendation, and a bachelor’s degree.
More than 85% of all SDSU students receive some form of financial aid award. In 2004, eligible applicants were awarded an average of $5,630 toward their expenses. SDSU’s Financial Aid program provides packages that can include scholarships, federal loans or grants, federal work-study, or a combination of all of these. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid office with any questions regarding individual circumstances. The Financial Aid office or their website can be consulted for an estimate of the total cost of attending SDSU.
Tuition at South Dakota State University is $1,221 per semester for the 2005-2006 academic year for in-state, undergraduate students attending full-time. Students applying from out of state and graduate students have higher costs. Students from Minnesota, or from member states in the Western Undergraduate Exchange, pay reduced out-of-state tuition rates.
Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. Work-study programs are also available for study with demonstrated need; the financial aid office tries to put students in jobs close to their area of study. Students who seek financial aid will need to fill out the Federal Student Financial Aid Form, available on-line. Approximately 86 % of students receive some form of financial aid.
Graduate students may also receive financial aid in the form of teaching or research assistantships, including a stipend and a waiver of some or all of the tuition and other fees. Graduate students should consult with their individual department about what sort of assistantships or fellowships are available and about the details of the application process; approximately 350 out of 1400 enrolled students receive assistantships.
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Student life at South Dakota State University includes opportunities in a diverse range of activities and organizations. There are fraternities and sororities, academic and professional groups, religious organizations, cultural organizations, political groups, and special interest groups such as Block and Bridle, the Civil Air Patrol, and Collegiate 4-H. There is a college newspaper and a campus radio station. Sports clubs that students can participate in include boxing, karate, and rodeo; intramural sports include softball, racquetball, and flag football. There is also a wellness center.
One annual tradition for SDSU students and faculty is Hobo Day; people dress down and participate in a variety of activities on campus.
A new student’s first experience at SDSU, New Student Orientation, helps them ease in to university life, make connections with new friends, meet advisors, and register for classes. All students are required to live in on-campus housing in their first two years out of high school. There are also numerous opportunities for students to find on-campus employment. The SDSU Student Union provides a central location for students to meet, hang out, or get information. The Union offers an Information Exchange where inquiries can be made on campus events, and where students can cash checks, get their mail, and make copies. There are over 200 student organizations and clubs on campus, including those affiliated with certain departments, cultures, and religions.
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The South Dakota State University Jackrabbits compete in the NCAA Division I (Division I-AA in football) as of August 2003. With this move, the University has acquired a better understanding of its strengths and corresponding weaknesses in the area of athletics, its ability to support significant athletic programs, and its ability to implement carefully designed strategies. All of these things translate into a much more beneficial atmosphere for student athletes who desire competition, publicity, and a balance of academics and athletics. The Jackrabbit men compete in baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, track & field, swimming, tennis and wrestling. The Jackrabbit women compete in basketball, cross country, equestrian, golf, track & field, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, and volleyball.
South Dakota State University is an NCAA Division I School; the football team competes at the I-AA level in the Great West Football Conference. Other teams compete as independents. Men’s sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, track & field, swimming, tennis, and wrestling. Women’s sports include basketball, cross country, equestrian, golf, track & field, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, and volleyball. The sports teams are supported by a spirit squad, which includes a co-educational cheer squad and a mascot. The team nick-name is the Jackrabbits.
Athletic facilities at South Dakota State University include a field for track & field competition, a stadium, a baseball diamond, and an 8,000 seat arena.
Among the championships and awards that South Dakota State University has received are conference titles in men’s cross country and women’s basketball, and multiple post-season appearances by different teams and 121 All-American awards in 2003-2004.
Hobo Day is perhaps the most time-honored tradition at South Dakota State. It originated in 1912 when a group of students were trying to come up with an original idea for homecoming. Many different activities had been attempted in the past, but none truly united the entire campus. And so Hobo Day was born. On this day each year, students and faculty dress in their dingiest clothes, men do not shave, and women wear their hair in braids to celebrate the University’s spirit.
South Dakota State University is located in Brookings, South Dakota, which has a population of approximately 19,000. The surrounding environment is rural farmland. Near-by attractions and events include a summer arts festival, a theatre festival, the Sioux water festival, several museums, and a vineyard.
Brookings is just minutes away from the border and a short drive from the state’s largest city, Sioux Falls. The town’s population is approximately 19,000, making SDSU’s enrollment of 10,000 a significant factor in the town’s size and economy. Brookings has a great deal to offer the culturally minded, including the Brookings Chamber Music Society, McCrory Gardens, and the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum. The Performing Arts Center is a lively venue for visiting musical and theatrical performances.
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Feel free to add comments or additional information regarding South Dakota State University, or discuss this school in the University Discussion Forum
about 5 years ago
A great school to get a good education. The party scene is awesome too. The local bars provide entertainment such as dancing, club hopping and bar games. The drinks are cheap and all the bars are located within two blocks of each other. Brookings is home to Daktronics, Inc. The largest manufacturer or electronic signs. They're the largest employers of students - no matter what your degree is. SDSU is known/respected for its nursing and engineering programs.
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I attended sdsu in the mid 50's. I was from Mn and I remember out of state tuition was $42/qtr. and instate ws a whopping $28. I resided in Scobey Hall (referred to as scaby hole by the students). I have many many fond memories, received a good education, and a successful ag business career. My younger brother plus a lot of other students (some were also great athletes) came from Jackson, MN. One not so good memory was walking across the quad at 7 am in the dark and mid winter going to rotc......