Law Schools in South Dakota
1 ABA-approved school · ABA disclosures · updated November 2, 2026
South Dakota has one ABA-approved law school, University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law, a public school in Vermillion.
South Dakota law schools compared
| School | Median LSAT | Median GPA | Accepted | Tuition | Bar pass | Lawyer jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law Vermillion · Public | 152 | 3.47 | 62.5% | $17,113 | 69.2% | 78% |
Tuition is full-time tuition and fees for 2025-26, at the in-state rate for public schools. Bar pass is the first-time rate on 2025 exams in every state where graduates sat; lawyer jobs is the share of 2025 graduates in full-time, long-term jobs requiring bar passage. Each school's page has the detail.
The South Dakota bar exam
In 2025, 78.8% of graduates of ABA-approved law schools who took the South Dakota bar exam for the first time passed, as the ABA reports it. That is the yardstick each school's rate is compared with when its graduates sit here.
Graduates of these schools took it most often in 2025 (schools with at least 10 first-time takers here):
| School | Takers | Passed | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Dakota | 43 | 35 | 81.4% |
Out-of-state schools that send graduates to South Dakota
Each school reports the three states where most of its employed graduates work. These schools outside South Dakota count it among their top three:
- University of Nebraska (NE): 4 employed 2025 graduates
Practicing in South Dakota: South Dakota Rules of Civil Procedure · South Dakota procedural guides.
Check your own numbers against these schools with the LSAT and GPA school finder.
Frequently asked questions
How many law schools are in South Dakota?
South Dakota has 1 ABA-approved law school: University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law.
What is the South Dakota bar exam pass rate?
In 2025, 78.8% of first-time takers from ABA-approved law schools passed the South Dakota bar exam, as the ABA reports it.