University of Sioux Falls is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It enrolls 1,218 students (a small, tight-knit student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
62/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes52
Value44
Affordability42
Selectivity37
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 82.9%, University of Sioux Falls is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
82.9%
Easy
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Test PolicyTest OptionalApplicants choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether University of Sioux Falls is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Getting more selective ↓
9.4 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending University of Sioux Falls isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $21,383 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$21,383
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
29%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
67%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$21,750
Room & Board (on-campus)
$9,270
Room & Board (off-campus)
$11,100
Books & Supplies
$1,000
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$4,515
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$5,045
Total Cost of Attendance
$34,274
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$18,145
$30,001 – $48,000
$17,804
$48,001 – $75,000
$17,992
$75,001 – $110,000
$21,375
Over $110,000
$24,038
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$3,71810%percentile
$6,50025%percentile
$23,249Medianpercentile
$25,00075%percentile
$30,50090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $16,341
↓ $6,908
No Pell $15,750
↓ $7,499
Dependent students $15,750
↓ $7,499
Independent students $19,359
↓ $3,890
Female students $18,500
↓ $4,749
Male students $14,875
↓ $8,374
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $7,500, less than completers ($23,249), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
60% of full-time students who enrolled at University of Sioux Falls graduate within six years, and 75% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
60%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
75%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered University of Sioux Falls earn a median of $54,521 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$54,521
Earning > $25K
83%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$36,500
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$53,500
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$39,000
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$47,300
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$45,700
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $17,000, about 32% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
10.3 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 92% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
University of Sioux Falls is home to 1,218 students, a small, close-knit community.
Total Enrolled
1,218
Part-Time
8%
First-Generation
25%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 75.5%920
Hispanic 6.9%84
Other 6.5%79
Black 4.7%57
Asian 1.8%22
International 1.2%14
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at University of Sioux Falls. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Midsize CitySioux Falls, South Dakota
Housing
Mostly residential766 beds on campus
Adult Learners
9%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
4-1-4 Planscheduling structure
Designation
Religiously affiliated
What You Can Study
University of Sioux Falls offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
42 distinct programs across
19 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Sioux Falls is 17:1, on the higher side.
Student : Faculty
17:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$74M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$63,452
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
58 instructional faculty across 4 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
16
28%
$71,715
Associate Professors
19
33%
$63,246
Assistant Professors
21
36%
$59,434
Instructors
2
3%
$41,507
Pros & Cons of University of Sioux Falls
A quick at-a-glance summary of how University of Sioux Falls tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Tight-knit, close community feel
Solid post-graduation earnings
CONS
Class sizes are on the higher side
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
Modest first-year retention
Most students take on federal loans
Best for:
Based on the data, University of Sioux Falls is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of Sioux Falls
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about University of Sioux Falls.
Is University of Sioux Falls hard to get into?
University of Sioux Falls has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 82.9%.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Sioux Falls?
University of Sioux Falls has an acceptance rate of 82.9%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
How much does University of Sioux Falls cost?
The average net price after aid at University of Sioux Falls is $21,383 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is University of Sioux Falls worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $54,521 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $21,383 per year. That's roughly 2.5x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is University of Sioux Falls known for?
University of Sioux Falls is best known for its programs in Nursing, Business Administration, Business Administration. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do University of Sioux Falls graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering University of Sioux Falls are $54,521, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is University of Sioux Falls accredited?
Yes. University of Sioux Falls is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend University of Sioux Falls?
University of Sioux Falls enrolls 1,218 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at University of Sioux Falls?
University of Sioux Falls graduates 60% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is University of Sioux Falls a public or private college?
University of Sioux Falls is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is University of Sioux Falls located?
University of Sioux Falls is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
What programs does University of Sioux Falls offer?
University of Sioux Falls offers 42 distinct programs. The most popular include Nursing, Business Administration, Business Administration.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at University of Sioux Falls?
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Sioux Falls is 17:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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