Benedictine College vs. Dakota State

Comparable Facts

Compare Benedictine College in Atchison, KS 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 Benedictine College based on total student enrollment (3,774 students vs. 2,535 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Benedictine College is located in Atchison, KS (Distant Town setting); Dakota State University is in Madison, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Benedictine College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Benedictine College 16:1; Dakota State University 18:1.

Benedictine College vs. Dakota State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Benedictine College 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 Benedictine College ($20,438 vs. $28,629).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 27.5% lower than at Benedictine College ($9,742 vs. $13,430).
• Benedictine College is 276.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota State (about $26,696 more per year; $36,350.00 vs. $9,654.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 185% higher at Benedictine College than at Dakota State University (about $23,594 more per year; $36,350.00 vs. $12,756.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Benedictine College than at Dakota State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Benedictine College students is 338% larger than aid received by Dakota State University students ($23,527 vs. $5,371).

Benedictine College vs. Dakota State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Benedictine College 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 Benedictine College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dakota State University (1320) is 60 points higher than at Benedictine College (1260).
• Incoming Benedictine College 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: Benedictine College 1140/1380; Dakota State University 1190/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Benedictine College 22/29; Dakota State University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Benedictine College - Test optional; Dakota State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Benedictine College students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Dakota State (3.33).
• Benedictine College has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Dakota State (88%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.9% at Benedictine College vs. 18% at Dakota State.

Benedictine College vs. Dakota State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Benedictine College 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).

• Benedictine College's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Dakota State University's (34%).
• Graduates from Benedictine College earn a median of about $400 more per year than Dakota State graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 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 Benedictine College graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Dakota State graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Benedictine College graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More Benedictine College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota State students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.