Dort vs. USD

Comparable Facts

Compare Dordt University in Sioux Center, IA 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 Dort based on total student enrollment (10,619 students vs. 1,952 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dordt University is located in Sioux Center, IA (Remote Town setting); University of South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Dordt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dordt University 14:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

Dort vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dort 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 Dort ($19,133 vs. $28,486).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 12% lower than at Dordt University ($10,356 vs. $11,770).
• Dordt University is 292.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $27,618 more per year; $37,050.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 186.3% higher at Dort than at University of South Dakota (about $24,108 more per year; $37,050.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dordt University than at University of South Dakota (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dordt University students is 314% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($23,277 vs. $5,623).

Dort vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dort or USD? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between USD and Dort.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of South Dakota (1220) is 20 points higher than at Dort (1200).
• Incoming Dort students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 22 at USD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Dordt University 1070/1330; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Dordt University 21/29; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dort - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Dort students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at USD (3.43).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than Dort (68.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38% at Dort vs. 24.1% at USD.

Dort vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dort and USD? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Dordt University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than University of South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from University of South Dakota earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than Dort graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,200 vs. $43,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dordt University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($23,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Dort graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($237 vs. $258).
• More Dort graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 70%)

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.