Grinnell vs. Dakota State

Comparable Facts

Compare Grinnell College in Grinnell, 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 Grinnell based on total student enrollment (3,774 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); Dakota State University is in Madison, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; Dakota State University 18:1.

Grinnell vs. Dakota State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell 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 Grinnell ($20,438 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 42.2% lower than at Grinnell College ($9,742 vs. $16,842).
• Grinnell College is 605.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota State (about $58,452 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $9,654.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 433.9% higher at Grinnell than at Dakota State University (about $55,350 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $12,756.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Dakota State University (94% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 813.7% larger than aid received by Dakota State University students ($49,077 vs. $5,371).

Grinnell vs. Dakota State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Grinnell 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 Grinnell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 160 points higher than at Dakota State (1320).
• Incoming Grinnell students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 23 at Dakota State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; Dakota State University 1190/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; Dakota State University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; Dakota State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Dakota State (3.33).
• Dakota State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 18% at Dakota State.

Grinnell vs. Dakota State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell 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).

• Grinnell College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Dakota State University's (34%).
• Graduates from Grinnell College earn a median of about $17,300 more per year than Dakota State graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $10,330 lower median loan debt than Dakota State graduates ($13,170 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $106 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dakota State graduates ($136 vs. $242).
• More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota State students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.