Oakland vs. South Dakota State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Oakland University in Rochester Hills, MI with South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Oakland University is larger than South Dakota State University based on total student enrollment (15,768 students vs. 12,056 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Oakland University is located in Rochester Hills, MI (Large Suburban setting); South Dakota State University is in Brookings, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Oakland University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. South Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Oakland University 17:1; South Dakota State University 17:1.

Oakland vs. South Dakota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oakland or South Dakota State University? 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 Oakland University than South Dakota State University ($12,208 vs. $19,932).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 6.9% lower than at Oakland University ($10,176 vs. $10,932).
• Oakland University is 64.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Dakota State University (about $5,963 more per year; $15,262.00 vs. $9,299.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81% higher at Oakland than at South Dakota State University (about $10,379 more per year; $23,188.00 vs. $12,809.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Oakland University as at South Dakota State University (94% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oakland University students is 190.3% larger than aid received by South Dakota State University students ($12,988 vs. $4,474).

Oakland vs. South Dakota State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oakland or South Dakota State University? 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 South Dakota State University and Oakland.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at South Dakota State University (1150) is 20 points higher than at Oakland (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oakland University 1030/1230; South Dakota State University 1060/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSouth Dakota State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oakland - Test optional; South Dakota State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman South Dakota State University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Oakland (3.51).
• South Dakota State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.3%) than Oakland (87.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at Oakland vs. 34.1% at South Dakota State University.

Oakland vs. South Dakota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oakland and South Dakota State University? 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).

• South Dakota State University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Oakland University's (40%).
• Graduates from South Dakota State University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Oakland graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $46,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Oakland University graduates have a $116 lower median loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,116).
• Among borrowers, Oakland graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Dakota State University graduates ($258 vs. $259).
• More South Dakota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oakland students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 51%)

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.