ISU vs. South Dakota State University

Comparable Facts

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

Iowa State University is larger than South Dakota State University based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 12,056 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); South Dakota State University is in Brookings, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. South Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; South Dakota State University 17:1.

ISU vs. South Dakota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or South Dakota State University? 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 South Dakota State University ($17,779 vs. $19,932).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 5.8% lower than at Iowa State University ($10,176 vs. $10,808).
• Iowa State University is 16% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Dakota State University (about $1,488 more per year; $10,787.00 vs. $9,299.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 125.5% higher at ISU than at South Dakota State University (about $16,072 more per year; $28,881.00 vs. $12,809.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Dakota State University than at Iowa State University (94% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa State University students is 141.2% larger than aid received by South Dakota State University students ($10,791 vs. $4,474).

ISU vs. South Dakota State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or South Dakota State University? 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 South Dakota State University and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Iowa State University (1240) is 90 points higher than at South Dakota State University (1150).
• Incoming ISU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at South Dakota State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; South Dakota State University 1060/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; South Dakota State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; South Dakota State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at South Dakota State University (3.53).
• South Dakota State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.3%) than ISU (88.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 34.1% at South Dakota State University.

ISU vs. South Dakota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and South Dakota State University? 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 South Dakota State University's (60%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than South Dakota State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Iowa State University graduates have a $1,248 lower median loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates ($23,868 vs. $25,116).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Dakota State University graduates ($246 vs. $259).
• More South Dakota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 74%)

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.