LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech vs. USD

Comparable Facts

Compare Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA with University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Louisiana Tech University is larger than USD based on total student enrollment (11,873 students vs. 10,619 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Louisiana Tech University is located in Ruston, LA (Distant Town setting); University of South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Louisiana Tech 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: Louisiana Tech University 21:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech 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 Louisiana Tech University than USD ($12,325 vs. $19,133).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Louisiana Tech University are 7.1% lower than at University of South Dakota ($9,618 vs. $10,356).
• Louisiana Tech University is 7.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $693 more per year; $10,125.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.3% higher at LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech than at University of South Dakota (about $3,924 more per year; $16,866.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Louisiana Tech University than at University of South Dakota (95% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana Tech University students is 116.1% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($12,149 vs. $5,623).

LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech 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 LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Dakota (1220) is 10 points higher than at LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech (1210).
• Incoming LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at USD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana Tech University 1100/1310; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana Tech University 21/27; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at USD (3.43).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech (86.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech vs. 24.1% at USD.

LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech 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).

• Louisiana Tech University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than University of South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from Louisiana Tech University earn a median of about $400 more per year than USD graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $48,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Louisiana Tech University graduates have a $5,135 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($19,865 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($205 vs. $258).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LA Tech- Louisiana Tech- Tech students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 58%)

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.