ISU vs. Dakota State

Comparable Facts

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

Iowa State University is larger than Dakota State based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 3,774 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); Dakota State University is in Madison, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; Dakota State University 18:1.

ISU vs. Dakota State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU 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 Iowa State University than Dakota State ($17,779 vs. $20,438).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 9.9% lower than at Iowa State University ($9,742 vs. $10,808).
• Iowa State University is 11.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota State (about $1,133 more per year; $10,787.00 vs. $9,654.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 126.4% higher at ISU than at Dakota State University (about $16,125 more per year; $28,881.00 vs. $12,756.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dakota State University than at Iowa State University (88% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa State University students is 100.9% larger than aid received by Dakota State University students ($10,791 vs. $5,371).

ISU vs. Dakota State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU 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 ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dakota State University (1320) is 80 points higher than at ISU (1240).
• Incoming ISU 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: Iowa State University 1120/1360; Dakota State University 1190/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; Dakota State University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Dakota State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Dakota State (3.33).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than Dakota State (88%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 18% at Dakota State.

ISU vs. Dakota State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU 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).

• Iowa State University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Dakota State University's (34%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than Dakota State graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dakota State University graduates have a $368 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($23,500 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, Dakota State graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($242 vs. $246).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota State students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.