University of South Dakota School of Law
#156 in Best Law Schools
Founded in 1901, University of South Dakota School of Law is a Public school located in Vermillion, SD. The next statements briefly introduces University of South Dakota School of Law. The 2025 tuition data is from the school's financial office and admission and other information is based on American Bar Association (ABA) data.
- The average LSAT Score of enrolled students is 151 where the national average LSAT is 159.
- The average GPA of enrolled students is 3.56 where the national average GPA is 3.61.
- The 2025 law school tuition & fees is $36,333 where the national average law school tuition is $50,994.
- The acceptance rate at is 76.2% where the average acceptance rate is 42.3%.
- Total 244 law school students have enrolled.
- The bar exam pass rate (for first-time exam takers) is 67.3% where the average pass rate of all law schools is 77.2%.
2024 Tuition & Fees
The 2024-2025 law school tuition at University of South Dakota School of Law is $16,793 for South Dakota residents and $36,333 for out-of-state students. The law school tuition stays same as last year. The 2023 undergraduate tuition & fees is $9,432 for South Dakota residents and $12,942 for out-of-state students. The graduate school tuition & fees other than law school is $7,118 for South Dakota residents and $12,768 for out-of-state students
The average living costs including room & board, books, and other personal expenses is $12,102. This amount may not include health insurance fee and exam fees and varies by student's living setting.
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Residents | Out-of-State | South Dakota Residents | Out-of-State | South Dakota Residents | Out-of-State | |
| Law School Tuition & Fees | $15,024 | $34,564 | $16,793 | $36,333 | $16,793 | $36,333 |
| Law School Living Expenses | - | $13,225 | $13,225 | |||
| Undergraduate Tuition | $9,432 | $12,942 | $9,432 | $12,942 | $9,432a | $12,942a |
| Graduate Tuition | $7,118 | $12,768 | $7,118 | $12,768 | $7,118a | $12,768a |
| General On-campus Living Costs | $13,225 | $13,171 | $14,007a | |||
| General Off-campus Living Costs | $15,025 | $15,730 | $16,932a | |||
a The amount is not published yet by IPEDS. It is an estimated amount based on 2023 and 2024 rates.
LSAT Scores & GPA
The 2024 average LSAT score for University of South Dakota School of Law is 151. Compared to the average LSAT of all law schools, University of South Dakota School of Law's LSAT score is average (the average is 159).
The average GPA is 3.56, which is the around average of other law schools (average is 3.61).
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| LSAT | |||
| 75th Percentile | 153 | 155 | 154 |
| 50th Percentile | 150 | 151 | 151 |
| 25th Percentile | 148 | 148 | 148 |
| GPA | |||
| 75th Percentile | 3.74 | 3.72 | 3.72 |
| 50th Percentile | 3.44 | 3.39 | 3.56 |
| 25th Percentile | 3.06 | 3 | 3.18 |
Acceptance Rate & Yield
The 2024 acceptance rate at University of South Dakota School of Law is 76.2% where 302 applicants have applied to and 230 students have accepted to admit. The acceptance rate at University of South Dakota School of Law is much higher (very easy to get in) compared to other law schools in united states (the average acceptance rate is 42.3%).
The Yield, also known as enrollment rate, is 34.8% where 80 students finally enrolled out of 230 admitted students. The yield University of South Dakota School of Law is average compared to other law schools (the average yield is 42.3%).
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applicants | 303 | 338 | 302 |
| Admitted | 209 | 228 | 230 |
| Enrolled | 79 | 82 | 80 |
| Acceptance Rate | 69.0% | 67.5% | 76.2% |
| Yield | 37.8% | 36.0% | 34.8% |
Law School Enrollment
For the academic year 2023-2024, total 244 law school students have enrolled to University of South Dakota School of Law. All students enrolled in JD (Juris Doctor Degree) program .
86 first-time students have enrolled in University of South Dakota School of Law. By gender, 45 male and 40 female first-time students newly enrolled in University of South Dakota School of Law. With 6 pre-admitted students, there are 86 first-time law school Students at University of South Dakota School of Law.
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Enrollment | 226 | 221 | 244 |
| JD Enrollment | 226 | 221 | 244 |
| Non-JD Enrollment | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Non-JD Enrollment (Online) | - | - | - |
| 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 87 | 86 |
| Men | 55 | 45 |
| Women | 32 | 40 |
Bar Exam Pass Rate
For the first time bar exam takers at University of South Dakota School of Law, the bar exam pass rate is 72.15% - 79 students have taken and 57 students have passed the exam. The pass rate is lower than South Dakota average bar exam pass rate (79.53%).
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Graduates | 55 | 63 | 82 |
| First-Time Bar Exam Takers Total | 49 | 62 | 79 |
| New Graduates | 46 | 54 | 73 |
| Prior Year Graduates | 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Early Exam Takers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| No Exam Takers | 9 | 8 | 9 |
| Exam Passer | 37 | 45 | 57 |
| Exam Pass Rate | 75.51% | 72.58% | 72.15% |
| South Dakota Pass Rate | 73.03% | 71.8% | 79.53% |
Law Schools in South Dakota
Vermillion, SD
