University Of South Dakota

University of South Dakota, also referred to as USD, is a public, coeducational university located in Vermillion, South Dakota. Although the institution was founded in 1862--the state's oldest university--classes started only 20 years later.

Today, the university had an enrollment of 9,617 as of Fall 2009. Its campus stretches over 218 acres, nestled above the Missouri River.

New facilities include the Theodore R. and Karen K. Muenster University Center, completed in 2009, and the Andrew E. Lee Memorial Medicine and Science Building--a year earlier.

For the 18th consecutive year, USD ranked as one of the "Best National Universities," according to U.S. News & World Report. In the magazine's annual "America's Best Colleges 2009" issue, USD was listed as one of the top 188 institutions in the United States.

The University of South Dakota is organized into the following schools and colleges:

• College of Arts and Sciences
• Beacom School of Business
• School of Education
• College of Fine Arts
• School of Health Sciences
• School of Law
• Sanford School of Medicine

The campus houses many Greek communities, including Alpha Epsilon, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Lambda Chi Alpha, Pi Kappa Alpha, and Phi Kappa Theta. There are also more than 120 organizations and clubs on campus

USD's sports teams are known as the South Dakota Coyotes. The official mascot is the Coyotes. The teams participate in the NCAA Division I. Sponsored teams include football, basketball, volleyball, and track and field.

Notable alumni of the University include James Abourezk, U.S. Senator from South Dakota, first Arab-American Senator; Jeff Barker, playwright; Tom Brokaw, TV journalist and author; Kevin Brady, U.S. Representative from Texas; Carole Hillard, first woman to serve as South Dakota's Lt. Governor; Ernest Lawrence, physicist, Nobel Laureate; Michael Derringon Murphy, chemistry professor, bluegrass musician; Pat O'Brien, television presenter; Abby Whiteside, piano teacher and theorist; John Thune, U.S. Senator from South Dakota; and Harvey L. Wollman, former South Dakota Governor.

Highlights

Where the school stands out most compared to other schools (details below):

• Many students concentrating in therapy and counseling, nursing and emergency medicine, and law.
• Large number of programs of study offered.
• Large number of students.
• Numerous part-time students.
• Affordable tuition & fees.

Other important characteristics:

• Faculty tenure system
• Library on-campus
• Campus housing available
• Study abroad option
• Distance learning available
• Part-time classes available
• ROTC
• Athlete financial aid

Degrees Awarded (in 2008-2009)

Students

Student enrollment was 9,243 in 2007-2008 (6,543 full-time equivalent).

About 40% of the freshmen class in 2008-2009 was male and women were 60% of the class.

Undergrads are 72% of enrolled students, graduate students are 23%, and those seeking first-professional graduate degrees represent 5%.

About 1% of freshmen are from countries other than the US. Students living in the US make up 99% of incoming freshmen.

Among freshmen students, 88% are full-time and 12% are part-time.

Tuition and Other Costs (2008-2009)

Financial Aid: University Of South Dakota participates in US Title IV financial assistance programs.

Please refer to BrainTrack's financial aid articles section for background information.

Housing and Meals

University Of South Dakota provides on-campus housing for 2,265 of its 6,543 (full-time) students (as of 2008-2009). The school requires freshmen to live on campus.

Athletics

School sports include football (), basketball (), baseball (), and track ().

The school offers financial aid for athletes. Of students receiving athletic financial aid, 143 male students received the aid (men were 53% of those receiving aid) and 126 women were awarded financial aid based on athletics (representing 47% of students receiving such aid) .

Admissions (2008-2009)

SAT Test Scores: