Central College vs. South Dakota State University

Should I go to Central College or South Dakota State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Central College or South Dakota State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Central College vs. South Dakota State University comparison
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Central College South Dakota State University
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Overview

Central College South Dakota State University
Location Pella, IA Brookings, SD
Setting Distant Town Remote Town
Enrollment 1,169 11,327
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #519 #600
Religious Affiliation Reformed Church in America - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website central.edu sdstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Central College South Dakota State University
Tuition (In State) $19,800 $7,773
Tuition (Out of State) $19,800 $11,283
Room & Board $10,860 $8,087
Avg Net Price $23,303 $18,160
Avg Grant Aid $10,999 $4,551
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Central College South Dakota State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,970 6,364
Admitted 1,561 5,478
Acceptance Rate 79.2% 86.1%
Enrolled % 22.5% 40%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/26 19/25
SAT Range 1040/1218 1020/1245
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Central College South Dakota State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Agriculture (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Work and Family Studies (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Central College South Dakota State University
Graduation Rate 63% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,000 $47,700
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,116
Median Loan Payment $279 $259

Diversity

Central College South Dakota State University
% Men 52% 44%
% Women 48% 56%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 87% 88%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 0% 4%
% Unknown Race 3% 0%

Students

Central College South Dakota State University
% In-State 73% 50%
% Out-of-State 26% 48%

Campus

Central College South Dakota State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • South Dakota State University is larger than than Central College based on total student enrollment (11,327 students vs. 1,169 students)

Central College vs. South Dakota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or South Dakota State University?

  • Central College is 154.7% more expensive to attend than South Dakota State University for in-state tuition ($19,800.00 vs. $7,773.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 75.5% higher at Central College than South Dakota State University ($19,800.00 vs. $11,283.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at South Dakota State University than Central College ($18,160 vs. $23,303)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 34.3% lower than costs at Central College ($8,087 vs. $10,860)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Central College as South Dakota State University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 141.7% larger than aid received South Dakota State University ($10,999 vs. $4,551)

Central College vs. South Dakota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or South Dakota State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between South Dakota State University or Central College .

  • The average SAT score at Central College (1068) is the same at South Dakota State University (1068)
  • Incoming Central College students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at South Dakota State University (23)
  • Accepted freshman South Dakota State University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Central College (3.52)
  • South Dakota State University has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than Central College (79.2%)

Central College vs. South Dakota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Central College or South Dakota State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between South Dakota State University and Central College.

  • The graduation rate at Central College is higher than South Dakota State University (63% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from Central College earn on average $300 more per year than South Dakota State University graduates after ten years. ($48,000 vs. $47,700)
  • South Dakota State University students graduate with a $1,884 lower median federal student loan debt than Central College graduates. ($25,116 vs. $27,000)
  • South Dakota State University graduates are paying $20 less per month on federal student loans than Central College graduates. ($259 vs. $279)
  • More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Dakota State University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 77%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/