Dort vs. Dakota State

Comparable Facts

Compare Dordt University in Sioux Center, IA with Dakota State University in Madison, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dakota State University is larger than Dort based on total student enrollment (3,774 students vs. 1,952 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dordt University is located in Sioux Center, IA (Remote Town setting); Dakota State University is in Madison, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Dordt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dordt University 14:1; Dakota State University 18:1.

Dort vs. Dakota State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dort or Dakota State? 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 Dort ($20,438 vs. $28,486).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 17.2% lower than at Dordt University ($9,742 vs. $11,770).
• Dordt University is 283.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota State (about $27,396 more per year; $37,050.00 vs. $9,654.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 190.5% higher at Dort than at Dakota State University (about $24,294 more per year; $37,050.00 vs. $12,756.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dordt University than at Dakota State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dordt University students is 333.4% larger than aid received by Dakota State University students ($23,277 vs. $5,371).

Dort vs. Dakota State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dakota State University (1320) is 120 points higher than at Dort (1200).
• Incoming Dort 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: Dordt University 1070/1330; Dakota State University 1190/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dordt University 21/29; Dakota State University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dort - Test optional; Dakota State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Dort students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Dakota State (3.33).
• Dakota State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than Dort (68.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38% at Dort vs. 18% at Dakota State.

Dort vs. Dakota State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Dordt University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Dakota State University's (34%).
• Graduates from Dordt University earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than Dakota State graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,300 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dordt University graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Dakota State graduates ($23,000 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Dort graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dakota State graduates ($237 vs. $242).
• More Dort graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota State students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.