Dakota State vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester

Comparable Facts

Compare Dakota State University in Madison, SD with University of Minnesota Rochester in Rochester, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dakota State University is larger than University of Minnesota-Rochester based on total student enrollment (3,774 students vs. 578 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dakota State University is located in Madison, SD (Distant Town setting); University of Minnesota Rochester is in Rochester, MN (Midsize City setting).
• Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Rochester is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dakota State University 18:1; University of Minnesota Rochester 13:1.

Dakota State vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dakota State or University of Minnesota-Rochester? 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 University of Minnesota Rochester than Dakota State ($14,953 vs. $20,438).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 30.4% lower than at University of Minnesota Rochester ($9,742 vs. $13,994).
• University of Minnesota Rochester is 55.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota State (about $5,362 more per year; $15,016.00 vs. $9,654.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.7% higher at University of Minnesota-Rochester than at Dakota State University (about $2,260 more per year; $15,016.00 vs. $12,756.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dakota State University than at University of Minnesota Rochester (88% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Minnesota Rochester students is 161.7% larger than aid received by Dakota State University students ($14,057 vs. $5,371).

Dakota State vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dakota State or University of Minnesota-Rochester? 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 University of Minnesota-Rochester and Dakota State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dakota State University (1320) is 150 points higher than at University of Minnesota-Rochester (1170).
• Incoming University of Minnesota-Rochester 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: Dakota State University 1190/1440; University of Minnesota Rochester 950/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dakota State University 20/27; University of Minnesota Rochester 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dakota State - Test optional; University of Minnesota-Rochester - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Minnesota-Rochester Jul 31, 2027.
• Dakota State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than University of Minnesota-Rochester (71%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18% at Dakota State vs. 20.3% at University of Minnesota-Rochester.

Dakota State vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dakota State and University of Minnesota-Rochester? 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).

• Graduates from University of Minnesota Rochester earn a median of about $16,000 more per year than Dakota State graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Minnesota Rochester graduates have a $3,315 lower median loan debt than Dakota State graduates ($20,185 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, University of Minnesota-Rochester graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dakota State graduates ($208 vs. $242).
• More University of Minnesota-Rochester graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota State students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.