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ISU University of North Dakota USD Dakota State Minnesota University of Minnesota-Duluth MSU Moorhead Concordia College at Moorhead South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Iowa Nebraska St. Cloud State University| North Dakota State University Main Campus | South Dakota State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
NDSU | South Dakota State University | ||
| Location | Fargo, ND | Brookings, SD | ||
| Setting | Midsize City | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 12,242 | 11,327 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #568 | #600 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | ndsu.edu | sdstate.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
NDSU | South Dakota State University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $9,309 | $7,773 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $13,963 | $11,283 | ||
| Room & Board | $9,300 | $8,087 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $15,962 | $18,160 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $5,732 | $4,551 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 77% | 100% |
Admission |
NDSU | South Dakota State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 8,535 | 6,364 | ||
| Admitted | 8,166 | 5,478 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 95.7% | 86.1% | ||
| Enrolled % | 30.8% | 40% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.53 | 3.53 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Moderate | Moderate | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 19/25 | 19/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 968/1216 | 1020/1245 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 1, 2025 |
Academics |
NDSU | South Dakota State University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 18:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
NDSU | South Dakota State University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 54% | 60% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $53,600 | $47,700 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 81% | 77% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $23,300 | $25,116 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $240 | $259 |
Diversity |
NDSU | South Dakota State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 49% | 44% | ||
| % Women | 51% | 56% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 86% | 88% | ||
| % Black | 3% | 2% | ||
| % Hispanic | 2% | 2% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 2% | ||
| % International | 3% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 0% |
Students |
NDSU | South Dakota State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 35% | 50% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 65% | 48% | ||
Campus |
NDSU | South Dakota State University | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- North Dakota State University Main Campus is larger than than South Dakota State University based on total student enrollment (12,242 students vs. 11,327 students)
NDSU vs. South Dakota State University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, NDSU or South Dakota State University?
- North Dakota State University Main Campus is 19.8% more expensive to attend than South Dakota State University for in-state tuition ($9,309.00 vs. $7,773.00)
- Out of state tuition is 23.8% higher at NDSU than South Dakota State University ($13,963.00 vs. $11,283.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Dakota State University Main Campus than South Dakota State University ($15,962 vs. $18,160)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 15% lower than costs at North Dakota State University Main Campus ($8,087 vs. $9,300)
- More students receive financial grant aid at South Dakota State University than North Dakota State University Main Campus (100% vs. 77%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by North Dakota State University Main Campus students is 26% larger than aid received South Dakota State University ($5,732 vs. $4,551)
NDSU vs. South Dakota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, NDSU or South Dakota State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between South Dakota State University or NDSU .
- The average SAT score at North Dakota State University Main Campus (1091) is 23 points higher than at South Dakota State University (1068)
- Incoming NDSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at South Dakota State University (23)
- Accepted freshman NDSU students have at the same average high school GPA (3.53) as students at South Dakota State University (3.53)
- NDSU has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than South Dakota State University (86.1%)
NDSU vs. South Dakota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, NDSU or South Dakota State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between South Dakota State University and NDSU.
- The graduation rate at South Dakota State University is higher than North Dakota State University Main Campus (60% vs. 54%)
- Graduates from North Dakota State University Main Campus earn on average $5,900 more per year than South Dakota State University graduates after ten years. ($53,600 vs. $47,700)
- North Dakota State University Main Campus students graduate with a $1,816 lower median federal student loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates. ($23,300 vs. $25,116)
- NDSU graduates are paying $19 less per month on federal student loans than South Dakota State University graduates. ($240 vs. $259)
- More NDSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Dakota State University students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 77%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/