Dakota State vs. USD

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Dakota is larger than Dakota State based on total student enrollment (10,619 students vs. 3,774 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Dakota State vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dakota State or USD? 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 South Dakota than Dakota State ($19,133 vs. $20,438).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 5.9% lower than at University of South Dakota ($9,742 vs. $10,356).
• Dakota State University is 2.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $222 more per year; $9,654.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at USD than at Dakota State University (about $186 more per year; $12,942.00 vs. $12,756.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dakota State University than at University of South Dakota (88% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Dakota students is 4.7% larger than aid received by Dakota State University students ($5,623 vs. $5,371).

Dakota State vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dakota State or USD? 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 USD and Dakota State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dakota State University (1320) is 100 points higher than at USD (1220).
• Incoming Dakota State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at USD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dakota State University 1190/1440; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dakota State University 20/27; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dakota State - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Dakota State (3.33).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than Dakota State (88%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18% at Dakota State vs. 24.1% at USD.

Dakota State vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dakota State and USD? 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).

• University of South Dakota's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Dakota State University's (34%).
• Graduates from University of South Dakota earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than Dakota State graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,200 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dakota State University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($23,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Dakota State graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($242 vs. $258).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota State students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.