University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law
University of South Dakota · Vermillion, SD
The school received 405 applications for a first-year class of 88, and 78.0% of the class of 2025 held full-time, long-term bar-passage jobs.
- 62.47% Acceptance rate More selective than 3% of schools
- 152 Median LSAT Beats 10% of schools
- 3.47 Median GPA Beats 19% of schools
- 69.2% First-time bar pass Beats 12% of schools
About
About University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law
The University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law is a public, ABA-accredited law school in Vermillion, South Dakota. Established in 1901, it is the only law school in the state offering a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. The school provides a three-year full-time JD program and a five-year flex-time option. Students can also explore specialized course tracks and concurrent degree programs in fields such as business administration, public administration, and environmental law and policy. Its curriculum combines foundational legal studies with writing, research, and professional skills development.
Experiential learning is required for all JD students at the Knudson School of Law. Through legal clinics, practicums, externships, and pro bono activities, students gain experience with client counseling, legal research, drafting, and advocacy. Externship placements may include law firms, courts, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. The school also offers academic and bar preparation support, career services, and access to the McKusick Law Library. These resources help students prepare for legal careers in private practice, government, public service, and other professional settings.
At a glance
- Location
- Vermillion, SD
- Type
- Public
- Part of
- University of South Dakota
- JD students
- 252
- Full-time faculty
- 19
- Website
- usd.
edu (opens in a new tab)
Admissions
Acceptance rate 62.47%, higher than 97% of schools
405 applications, 253 offers, and 33.6% of those admitted enrolled.
Key takeaway: Applications rose about 50% from 2017 to 2025, while the acceptance rate fell from 69.26% to 62.47%.
LSAT and GPA of the entering class
LSAT 25th · median · 75th: 149 · 152 · 156
GPA 25th · median · 75th: 3.16 · 3.47 · 3.81
The blue band is the middle 50% of the fall-2025 entering class. The line is the median. 0 first-year students were admitted with a GRE score. 0 were admitted with a JD-Next score. 85 of the 253 admitted students enrolled. The first-year class of 88 also includes 3 other first-year enrollees.
Data ranks: acceptance rate #191 of 196, median LSAT #168 of 196 (tie), median GPA #156 of 196 (tie).
Applying and the academic calendar
- Application fee
- $35
- Application deadline
- July 1
- Financial aid deadline
- July 1
- Calendar
- Semesters
- Classes start in
- August
- Credits to graduate
- 90
Where is University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law trending?
9 entering classes, 2017–2025. Shaded band = middle 50% of the class. A gap means no figure was reported for that year.
Year-by-year numbers
| Fall | Applications | Acceptance | LSAT | GPA | First-year class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 405 | 62.47% | 149 / 152 / 156 | 3.16 / 3.47 / 3.81 | 88 |
| 2024 | 366 | 65.57% | 149 / 152 / 155 | 3.15 / 3.55 / 3.87 | 86 |
| 2023 | 302 | 76.16% | 148 / 151 / 154 | 3.18 / 3.56 / 3.72 | 86 |
| 2022 | 338 | 67.46% | 148 / 151 / 155 | 3.00 / 3.39 / 3.72 | 87 |
| 2021 | 303 | 68.98% | 148 / 150 / 153 | 3.06 / 3.44 / 3.74 | 79 |
| 2020 | 250 | 64.00% | 146 / 149 / 155 | 3.22 / 3.56 / 3.75 | 65 |
| 2019 | 309 | 64.40% | 147 / 152 / 154 | 3.15 / 3.44 / 3.78 | 84 |
| 2018 | 270 | 64.81% | 147 / 150 / 153 | 3.01 / 3.27 / 3.65 | 71 |
| 2017 | 270 | 69.26% | 144 / 147 / 150 | 3.25 / 3.48 / 3.77 | 57 |
Students
252 JD students, 50.0% women
Students of color make up 14.3% of JD students in fall 2025, and 88 students are in their first year.
Key takeaway: 5 of the 89 students who were in their first year in fall 2024 left the school during 2024-25 (5.6%), not counting transfers.
University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law enrolled 252 JD students in fall 2025. It awarded 83 JD degrees in 2024-25.
- Women 50%
- Men 47.6%
- Prefer not to report 2.4%
Race and ethnicity
| Group | Students | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Hispanic of any race | 13 | |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 6 | |
| Asian | 6 | |
| Black or African American | 7 | |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 0 | |
| Multiracial | 4 | |
| All students of color | 36 | |
| White | 209 | |
| Race and ethnicity unknown | 7 |
First-year students who left or transferred out, 2024-25
| Why they left | Students | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Academic reasons | 0 | 0.0% |
| Other reasons | 5 | 5.6% |
| Transferred to another law school | 1 | 1.1% |
Out of 89 first-year students enrolled in fall 2024. Upper-level students who left: 2 of 164 (1.2%). 1 student transferred in.
Try it
Where do your numbers fall?
See where your LSAT and GPA sit against the school's fall-2025 class. This shows position only, not your odds.
Key takeaway: The median LSAT is 152 and the median GPA is 3.47, and the middle 50% of the class had 149–156 and 3.16–3.81.
:
LSAT 25th · median · 75th: 149 · 152 · 156
:
GPA 25th · median · 75th: 3.16 · 3.47 · 3.81
Shaded band = middle 50% of the fall-2025 class; line = median.
Jobs · Class of 2025
14.6% as state or local clerks, higher than 91% of schools
82 graduates, status on March 16, 2026. 78.0% held full-time, long-term bar-passage jobs.
Key takeaway: In full-time, long-term jobs, 36.6% of graduates joined law firms, and 14.6% took a state or local clerkship.
- Bar-passage jobs64
- School-funded jobs0
- JD-advantage jobs5
- Other jobs4
- Further study1
- Seeking work6
- Unknown, not seeking or deferred2
Full-time, long-term jobs by number of lawyers at the firm.
- Bar-passage jobs, not school-funded
- Firms of 501+ lawyers
- Federal clerkships
Jobs by sector
| Sector | Share | Nationally |
|---|---|---|
| Law firms | 36.6% | |
| State, local & international clerkships | 14.6% | |
| Government | 13.4% | |
| Public interest | 9.8% | |
| Business & industry | 7.3% | |
| Federal clerkships | 3.7% | |
| Education | 0.0% |
Clerkships by type
| Type | Graduates | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Federal | 3 | 3.7% |
| State or local | 12 | 14.6% |
| International | 0 | 0.0% |
Top states for jobs
- South Dakota 46
- Iowa 5
- Nebraska 5
Bar passage
69.2% pass on their first try
2025 exams: 54 of 78 first-time takers passed, 10.2 points below the average for the same states.
Key takeaway: In South Dakota, 35 of 43 first-time takers passed (81.4%), against a state average of 78.8%.
- South Dakota
- Average in the same jurisdictions
Compared with the average in each place
| Jurisdiction | Takers | Rate | Avg. | Diff. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | 43 | 81.4% | 78.8% | +2.6 |
| 19 other jurisdictions | 35 | 54.3% | 80.3% | −26.0 |
Cost & aid
About $35,147 a year for residents before aid
Non-residents pay about $55,255 a year before aid. The 1 student who entered with a conditional scholarship in 2024-25 kept it in full.
Key takeaway: Non-resident tuition and fees are the 19th lowest of 163 schools, and 55% of students receive a grant.
- Grants: 25th percentile $590, median $5,000, 75th percentile $10,000 a year.
- Tuition and fees minus the median grant: about $32,221 a year. A rough guide only, since grants vary by student.
- Living costs (school estimate): on campus $16,452, off campus $18,034, at home $10,774.
Faculty & classes
13.3 JD students per full-time faculty member in 2024-25
In 2024-25, the school had 19 full-time faculty members and 36 who were not full-time.
Key takeaway: 57 of 81 upper-level classroom sections had fewer than 25 students in 2024-25.
- Full-time faculty: 42.1% women, 10.5% people of color.
- Librarians: 3 full-time.
- 81 course titles offered beyond the first year.
- Teachers, class sizes and hands-on courses are for the 2024-25 academic year.
Students per section; legal research and writing not counted.
Students per section.
Alumni
University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law Alumni on Lexinter
Practicing attorneys who earned their law degree at University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law. Each name links to the lawyer's full Lexinter profile.
Mary A. AkkermanDavenport Evans · Sioux Falls, South DakotaEstate Planning- Robert B. AndersonMay, Adam, Gerdes & Thompson LLP · Pierre, South DakotaEmployment
- John F. ArcherHagen, Wilka & Archer, LLP · Sioux Falls, South DakotaBusiness
- Mary R. AshAsh Law Office PLLC · Sioux Falls, South DakotaCriminal Defense
- Beth BalounBaloun Law PC · Sioux Falls, South DakotaFamily
- Kenneth E. BarkerBarker Law Firm, LLC · Belle Fourche, South DakotaInsurance
- Josh BaumgartLegacy Law Firm, P.C. · Sioux Falls, South DakotaEstate Planning
- Steven C. BeardsleyBeardsley, Jensen & Lee · Rapid City, South DakotaPersonal Injury
- Laura BeatchKading, Kunstle & Goodhope, LLP · Sioux Falls, South DakotaBusiness
- Molly BeckFuller, Williamson, Nelsen & Preheim, LLP · Sioux Falls, South DakotaPersonal Injury
- Justin BellMay, Adam, Gerdes & Thompson LLP · Pierre, South DakotaBusiness
- Kate M. BensonAustin Law Office · Watertown, South DakotaCriminal Defense
Keep exploring
Compare with similar schools
The schools whose median LSAT and GPA are closest to this school's.
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Florida A&M University College of LawFL · LSAT 152 · GPA 3.48 - University of North Dakota School of LawND · LSAT 151 · GPA 3.48
- St. Mary's University School of LawTX · LSAT 153 · GPA 3.49
- Capital University Law SchoolOH · LSAT 151 · GPA 3.44
- Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of LawTN · LSAT 153 · GPA 3.44
- Creighton University School of LawNE · LSAT 153 · GPA 3.51
- Law schools in South Dakota
- Other schools
- South Dakota
Median LSAT (across) against median GPA (up) for 196 ABA-approved schools, fall-2025 entering classes.
Hover over a dot to see the school.
FAQ
What is the acceptance rate at the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law?
The University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law had an acceptance rate of 62.62% for the Fall 2025 entering class. The school received 404 completed applications, offered admission to 253 applicants, and enrolled 88 first-year students.
What LSAT score do you need for the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law?
The median LSAT score for the Fall 2025 entering class was 152. The 25th-percentile LSAT score was 149, and the 75th-percentile score was 156. These scores represent enrolled students and do not establish a guaranteed admission threshold.
What GPA do you need to get into USD Knudson School of Law?
The median undergraduate GPA for the Fall 2025 entering class was 3.47. The 25th-percentile GPA was 3.16, and the 75th-percentile GPA was 3.81. The admissions committee also considers test scores, academic performance, recommendation letters, personal statements, and other qualifications.
Is the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law ABA-accredited?
Yes. The University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and has held ABA approval since 1923. Established in 1901, it is South Dakota's only law school.
Does USD Knudson School of Law require the LSAT?
No. The University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law accepts LSAT, GRE, or JD-Next scores for admission. Applicants must take one of these accepted tests. The school also considers undergraduate GPA, recommendation letters, personal statements, and other qualifications during the admissions process.
Does the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law offer a part-time JD program?
Yes. The Knudson School of Law offers a five-year flex-time JD program for students who prefer a reduced course load. Students can also pursue the traditional three-year full-time JD program. Both programs lead to a Juris Doctor degree and require completion of the school's academic requirements.
What is the bar passage rate at the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law?
The University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law reported an overall first-time bar passage rate of 69.23% in 2025, with 54 of 78 examinees passing across all reported jurisdictions. Among first-time takers of the South Dakota bar examination, 35 of 43 passed, representing a passage rate of 81.4%.