MLC vs. USD

Comparable Facts

Compare Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN with University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Dakota is larger than MLC based on total student enrollment (10,619 students vs. 878 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Martin Luther College is located in New Ulm, MN (Remote Town setting); University of South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Martin Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Martin Luther College 10:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

MLC vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MLC 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 Martin Luther College than USD ($18,974 vs. $19,133).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Martin Luther College are 23.7% lower than at University of South Dakota ($7,900 vs. $10,356).
• Martin Luther College is 92.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $8,688 more per year; $18,120.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40% higher at MLC than at University of South Dakota (about $5,178 more per year; $18,120.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Martin Luther College than at University of South Dakota (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Martin Luther College students is 82.7% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($10,276 vs. $5,623).

MLC vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MLC 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 MLC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Dakota (1220) is 50 points higher than at MLC (1170).
• Incoming MLC 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: Martin Luther College 1078/1256; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Martin Luther College 22/27; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MLC - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman MLC students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at USD (3.43).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than MLC (87.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 88.3% at MLC vs. 24.1% at USD.

MLC vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MLC 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).

• Martin Luther College's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than University of South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from University of South Dakota earn a median of about $10,200 more per year than MLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,200 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Martin Luther College graduates have a $1,875 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($23,125 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, MLC graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($239 vs. $258).
• More MLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.