Cornell College vs. South Dakota State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA 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 Cornell College based on total student enrollment (12,056 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting); South Dakota State University is in Brookings, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. South Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell College 14:1; South Dakota State University 17:1.

Cornell College vs. South Dakota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College 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 Cornell College ($19,932 vs. $25,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 14.1% lower than at Cornell College ($10,176 vs. $11,850).
• Cornell College is 466.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Dakota State University (about $43,361 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $9,299.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 311.1% higher at Cornell College than at South Dakota State University (about $39,851 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $12,809.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College than at South Dakota State University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 818.5% larger than aid received by South Dakota State University students ($41,092 vs. $4,474).

Cornell College vs. South Dakota State University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell College (1200) is 50 points higher than at South Dakota State University (1150).
• Incoming Cornell College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at South Dakota State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 1120/1285; South Dakota State University 1060/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30; South Dakota State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; South Dakota State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Cornell College students have the same average high school GPA (3.53) as students at South Dakota State University (3.53).
• South Dakota State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.3%) than Cornell College (79.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 34.1% at South Dakota State University.

Cornell College vs. South Dakota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell College 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).

• Cornell College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than South Dakota State University's (60%).
• Graduates from South Dakota State University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Cornell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $45,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, South Dakota State University graduates have a $1,884 lower median loan debt than Cornell College graduates ($25,116 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, South Dakota State University graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell College graduates ($259 vs. $279).
• More South Dakota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 74%)

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.