Rockhurst vs. USD

Comparable Facts

Compare Rockhurst University in Kansas City, MO 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 Rockhurst based on total student enrollment (10,619 students vs. 3,577 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rockhurst University is located in Kansas City, MO (Large City setting); University of South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Rockhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rockhurst University 12:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

Rockhurst vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rockhurst 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 Rockhurst ($19,133 vs. $25,787).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 13.1% lower than at Rockhurst University ($10,356 vs. $11,920).
• Rockhurst University is 376.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $35,534 more per year; $44,966.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 247.4% higher at Rockhurst than at University of South Dakota (about $32,024 more per year; $44,966.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rockhurst University than at University of South Dakota (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rockhurst University students is 514.7% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($34,562 vs. $5,623).

Rockhurst vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rockhurst or USD? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between USD and Rockhurst.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of South Dakota (1220) is 40 points higher than at Rockhurst (1180).
• Incoming Rockhurst students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (24 vs. 22 at USD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Rockhurst University 1116/1246; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Rockhurst University 22/27; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rockhurst - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Rockhurst Jun 30, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Rockhurst students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at USD (3.43).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than Rockhurst (69.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at Rockhurst vs. 24.1% at USD.

Rockhurst vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rockhurst and USD? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Rockhurst University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than University of South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from Rockhurst University earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than USD graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $48,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rockhurst University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Rockhurst graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($211 vs. $258).
• More Rockhurst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.