ISU vs. USD

Comparable Facts

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

Iowa State University is larger than USD based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 10,619 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); University of South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

ISU vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU 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 Iowa State University than USD ($17,779 vs. $19,133).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 4.2% lower than at Iowa State University ($10,356 vs. $10,808).
• Iowa State University is 14.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $1,355 more per year; $10,787.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 123.2% higher at ISU than at University of South Dakota (about $15,939 more per year; $28,881.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Dakota than at Iowa State University (83% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa State University students is 91.9% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($10,791 vs. $5,623).

ISU vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU 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 ISU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Iowa State University (1240) is 20 points higher than at USD (1220).
• Incoming ISU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (24 vs. 22 at USD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Iowa State University 1120/1360; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Iowa State University 21/28; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman ISU students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at USD (3.43).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than ISU (88.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 24.1% at USD.

ISU vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU 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.

• Iowa State University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than University of South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than USD graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $48,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Iowa State University graduates have a $1,132 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($23,868 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($246 vs. $258).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.