Augustana vs. Dakota State

Comparable Facts

Compare Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with Dakota State University in Madison, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dakota State University is larger than Augustana based on total student enrollment (3,774 students vs. 2,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Augustana College is located in Rock Island, IL (Small City setting); Dakota State University is in Madison, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Augustana College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Augustana College 12:1; Dakota State University 18:1.

Augustana vs. Dakota State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Augustana or Dakota State? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dakota State University than Augustana ($20,438 vs. $24,714).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 22.1% lower than at Augustana College ($9,742 vs. $12,502).
• Augustana College is 434.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota State (about $41,944 more per year; $51,598.00 vs. $9,654.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 304.5% higher at Augustana than at Dakota State University (about $38,842 more per year; $51,598.00 vs. $12,756.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Augustana College than at Dakota State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Augustana College students is 630.6% larger than aid received by Dakota State University students ($39,242 vs. $5,371).

Augustana vs. Dakota State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Augustana or Dakota State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Dakota State and Augustana.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dakota State University (1320) is 170 points higher than at Augustana (1150).
• Incoming Augustana students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Dakota State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Augustana College 1030/1270; Dakota State University 1190/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Augustana College 21/29; Dakota State University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Augustana - Test optional; Dakota State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Augustana Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Dakota State students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Augustana (3.3).
• Dakota State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than Augustana (62.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Augustana vs. 18% at Dakota State.

Augustana vs. Dakota State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Augustana and Dakota State? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Augustana College's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Dakota State University's (34%).
• Graduates from Augustana College earn a median of about $12,900 more per year than Dakota State graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,100 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dakota State University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Augustana graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Dakota State graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Augustana graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More Augustana graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota State students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 67%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.