Dakota State vs. Viterbo

Comparable Facts

Compare Dakota State University in Madison, SD with Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dakota State University is larger than Viterbo based on total student enrollment (3,774 students vs. 2,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dakota State University is located in Madison, SD (Distant Town setting); Viterbo University is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Viterbo University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dakota State University 18:1; Viterbo University 10:1.

Dakota State vs. Viterbo Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dakota State or Viterbo? 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 Dakota State University than Viterbo ($20,438 vs. $21,933).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 13.9% lower than at Viterbo University ($9,742 vs. $11,320).
• Viterbo University is 254.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota State (about $24,596 more per year; $34,250.00 vs. $9,654.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 168.5% higher at Viterbo than at Dakota State University (about $21,494 more per year; $34,250.00 vs. $12,756.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Viterbo University than at Dakota State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Viterbo University students is 338.9% larger than aid received by Dakota State University students ($23,573 vs. $5,371).

Dakota State vs. Viterbo Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dakota State University (1320) is 110 points higher than at Viterbo (1210).
• Incoming Viterbo students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Dakota State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dakota State University 1190/1440; Viterbo University 1040/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dakota State University 20/27; Viterbo University 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dakota State - Test optional; Viterbo - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Viterbo students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Dakota State (3.33).
• Dakota State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than Viterbo (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18% at Dakota State vs. 15.9% at Viterbo.

Dakota State vs. Viterbo Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Viterbo University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Dakota State University's (34%).
• Graduates from Viterbo University earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Dakota State graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,300 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dakota State University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Viterbo graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Dakota State graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Viterbo graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More Viterbo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota State students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.