K-State vs. USD

Comparable Facts

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

Kansas State University is larger than USD based on total student enrollment (20,295 students vs. 10,619 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kansas State University is located in Manhattan, KS (Remote Town setting); University of South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Kansas 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: Kansas State University 19:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

K-State vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, K-State 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 K-State ($19,133 vs. $20,527).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 19.3% lower than at Kansas State University ($10,356 vs. $12,830).
• Kansas State University is 19% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $1,789 more per year; $11,221.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 120.7% higher at K-State than at University of South Dakota (about $15,626 more per year; $28,568.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kansas State University than at University of South Dakota (92% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kansas State University students is 64.9% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($9,270 vs. $5,623).

K-State vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, K-State or USD? 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 USD and K-State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Dakota (1220) is 60 points higher than at K-State (1160).
• Incoming K-State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at USD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kansas State University 1060/1260; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kansas State University 20/27; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: K-State - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman K-State students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at USD (3.43).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than K-State (81.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.5% at K-State vs. 24.1% at USD.

K-State vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for K-State and USD? 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).

• Kansas State University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than University of South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from Kansas State University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than USD graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,700 vs. $48,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kansas State University graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, K-State graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($232 vs. $258).
• More K-State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.