DSC vs. ISU

Comparable Facts

Compare Dalton State College in Dalton, GA with Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Idaho State University is larger than DSC based on total student enrollment (13,061 students vs. 5,135 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dalton State College is located in Dalton, GA (Small City setting); Idaho State University is in Pocatello, ID (Small City setting).
• Dalton State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Idaho State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dalton State College 21:1; Idaho State University 14:1.

DSC vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DSC or ISU? 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 Dalton State College than ISU ($5,625 vs. $12,174).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Idaho State University are 24.3% lower than at Dalton State College ($7,882 vs. $10,419).
• Idaho State University is 158.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than DSC (about $5,274 more per year; $8,610.00 vs. $3,336.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 160.1% higher at ISU than at Dalton State College (about $17,064 more per year; $27,720.00 vs. $10,656.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dalton State College than at Idaho State University (92% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Idaho State University students is 38.5% larger than aid received by Dalton State College students ($9,217 vs. $6,654).

DSC vs. ISU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DSC or ISU? 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 ISU and DSC.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DSC - Open admission; ISU - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: DSC Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at DSC (3.1).

DSC vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DSC and ISU? 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).

• Idaho State University's six-year graduation rate (26%) is higher than Dalton State College's (16%).
• Graduates from Idaho State University earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than DSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,300 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dalton State College graduates have a $8,063 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($14,887 vs. $22,950).
• Among borrowers, DSC graduates have an estimated $84 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($153 vs. $237).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DSC students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 42%)

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.