STUDENTS AND FACULTY

Enrollment: 654.

Student Body: 59% female, 41% male, 24% out-of-state, 1% international (5 countries represented). Asian 1%, African American 4%, Caucasian 90%, Hispanic 2%, Native American 2%.

Retention and Graduation: 58% freshmen return for sophomore year. 23% freshmen graduate within 4 years. 10% grads go on to further study within 1 year.

Faculty: Student/faculty ratio 11:1. 45 full-time faculty, 64% hold PhDs, 2% are members of minority groups, 47% are women.

ACADEMICS

Degrees: Associate, bachelors, masters, terminal associate.

Classes: Most classes have 10-19 students. Most lab/discussion sessions have 10-19 students.

Majors with Highest Enrollment: Business/commerce; elementary education and teaching; human services.

Special Study Options: Distance learning, double major, dual enrollment, honors program, independent study, internships, liberal arts/career combination, student-designed major, study abroad, teacher certification program

Honors programs: University Scholars Program, students take at least three USP courses, have a 3.5 GPA, and present original scholarship at the USP Symposium Combined degree programs: BA, M.Div. Special programs offered to physically disabled students include note-taking services, reader services, tape recorders, tutors.

FACILITIES

Housing: Coed dorms, men’s dorms, women’s dorms, apartments for married students, apartments for single students, Koka “honor housing” for upper class women; ADA rooms, apartments available. 100% of campus accessible to physically disabled.

Special Academic Facilities/Equipment: Friends of the Middle Border Museum and Grounds.

Computers: Administrative functions (other than registration) can be performed online. Undergraduates are required to own a computer.

CAMPUS LIFE

Environment: Village.

Activities: Choral groups, concert band, drama/theater, literary magazine, music ensembles, student government, student newspaper, yearbook.

Organizations: 5 registered organizations, 6 honor societies, 3 religious organizations.

Athletics (Intercollegiate): Men: Baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross-country, football, golf, track/field (outdoor), track/field (indoor), wrestling. Women: Basketball, cheerleading, cross-country, golf, softball, track/field (outdoor), track/field (indoor), volleyball.

On-Campus Highlights: Athletic Department/gym/wellness center, cafeteria/coffee shop, student lounge, residence halls common lounge, residence hall computer labs.

ADMISSIONS

Freshman Academic Profile: Average high school GPA 3.01. 10% in top 10% of high school class, 35% in top 25% of high school class, 75% in top 50% of high school class. 98% from public high schools. ACT middle 50% range 22-28. Minimum paper TOEFL 500. Minimum computer TOEFL 200.

Basis for Candidate Selection: Very important factors considered include: Class rank, rigor of secondary school record, standardized test scores. Important factors considered include: Application essay. Other factors considered include: Recommendation(s).

Freshman Admission Requirements: High school diploma is required and GED is accepted. Academic units recommended: 4 English, 4 mathematics, 4 social studies.

Freshman Admission Statistics: 423 applied, 79% admitted, 41% enrolled.

Transfer Admission Requirements: College transcript(s), minimum college GPA of 2.0 required. Lowest grade transferable D-.

General Admission Information: Application fee $25. Regular application deadline 8/29. Notification on a rolling basis, beginning on or about 9/1. Nonfall registration accepted. Admission may be deferred for a maximum of no set date. Credit and/or placement offered for CEEB Advanced Placement tests.

COSTS AND FINANCIAL AID

Annual tuition $15,600. Room and board $4,744. Average book expense $900.

Required Forms and Deadlines: FAFSA. Priority financial aid filing date 4/1.

Notification of Awards: Applicants will be notified of awards on a rolling basis beginning 3/1.

Types of Aid: Need-based scholarships/grants: Federal Pell, SEOG, private scholarships, the school’s own gift aid, Federal Nursing Scholarships. South Dakota Board of Nursing Scholarships / Loans. Loans: FFEL Subsidized Stafford, FFEL Unsubsidized Stafford, FFEL PLUS, Federal Perkins, Methodist Loans, and Private Alternative Student Loans.

Student Employment: Highest amount earned per year from on-campus jobs $3,300.

Financial Aid Statistics: 85% freshmen, 100% undergrads receive need-based scholarship or grant aid. 57% freshmen, 41% undergrads receive non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. 85% freshmen, 97% undergrads receive need-based self-help aid. 65% freshmen, 41% undergrads receive athletic scholarships. 98% freshmen, 98% undergrads receive any aid. 98% undergrads borrow to pay for school. Average cumulative indebtedness $13,925.

Criteria for awarding institutional aid: Non-need-based: Academics, alumni affiliation, art, athletics, leadership, minority status, music/drama, religious affiliation.