Saint Benedict vs. South Dakota State University

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Saint Benedict in Saint Joseph, MN with South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

South Dakota State University is larger than Saint Benedict based on total student enrollment (12,056 students vs. 1,429 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Saint Benedict is located in Saint Joseph, MN (Small Suburban setting); South Dakota State University is in Brookings, SD (Remote Town setting).
• College of Saint Benedict is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. South Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Saint Benedict 11:1; South Dakota State University 17:1.

Saint Benedict vs. South Dakota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saint Benedict or South Dakota State University? 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 South Dakota State University than Saint Benedict ($19,932 vs. $28,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 18.9% lower than at College of Saint Benedict ($10,176 vs. $12,550).
• College of Saint Benedict is 499.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Dakota State University (about $46,457 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $9,299.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 335.3% higher at Saint Benedict than at South Dakota State University (about $42,947 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $12,809.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Saint Benedict than at South Dakota State University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Saint Benedict students is 795.1% larger than aid received by South Dakota State University students ($40,048 vs. $4,474).

Saint Benedict vs. South Dakota State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saint Benedict or South Dakota State University? 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 South Dakota State University and Saint Benedict.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at South Dakota State University (1150) is 10 points higher than at Saint Benedict (1140).
• Incoming Saint Benedict students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at South Dakota State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Saint Benedict 1048/1233; South Dakota State University 1060/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Saint Benedict 20/27; South Dakota State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saint Benedict - Test optional; South Dakota State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Saint Benedict students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at South Dakota State University (3.53).
• South Dakota State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.3%) than Saint Benedict (91.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Saint Benedict vs. 34.1% at South Dakota State University.

Saint Benedict vs. South Dakota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saint Benedict and South Dakota State University? 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).

• College of Saint Benedict's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than South Dakota State University's (60%).
• Graduates from College of Saint Benedict earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than South Dakota State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, South Dakota State University graduates have a $1,227 lower median loan debt than Saint Benedict graduates ($25,116 vs. $26,343).
• Among borrowers, South Dakota State University graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Benedict graduates ($259 vs. $272).
• More Saint Benedict graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Dakota State University students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 77%)

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.