Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
University of North Dakota USD Dakota State ISU Minnesota State University-Mankato University of Minnesota-Duluth NDSU Winona State University MSU Moorhead University of St Thomas South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Nebraska| Saint Cloud State University | South Dakota State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
St. Cloud State University | South Dakota State University | ||
| Location | Saint Cloud, MN | Brookings, SD | ||
| Setting | Small City | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 10,420 | 11,327 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #710 | #600 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | stcloudstate.edu | sdstate.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
St. Cloud State University | South Dakota State University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $8,811 | $7,773 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $18,695 | $11,283 | ||
| Room & Board | $9,950 | $8,087 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $14,065 | $18,160 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $6,042 | $4,551 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 100% |
Admission |
St. Cloud State University | South Dakota State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 4,810 | 6,364 | ||
| Admitted | 4,583 | 5,478 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 95.3% | 86.1% | ||
| Enrolled % | 16.8% | 40% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.4 | 3.53 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Moderate | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 18/24 | 19/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 1027/1200 | 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 15, 2025 |
Academics |
St. Cloud State University | South Dakota State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 18:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
St. Cloud State University | South Dakota State University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 48% | 60% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $46,700 | $47,700 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 67% | 77% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $22,500 | $25,116 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $232 | $259 |
Diversity |
St. Cloud State University | South Dakota State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 43% | 44% | ||
| % Women | 57% | 56% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 73% | 88% | ||
| % Black | 7% | 2% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 2% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 2% | ||
| % International | 7% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 0% |
Students |
St. Cloud State University | South Dakota State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 75% | 50% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 11% | 48% | ||
Campus |
St. Cloud State University | 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
- South Dakota State University is larger than than St. Cloud State University based on total student enrollment (11,327 students vs. 10,420 students)
St. Cloud State University vs. South Dakota State University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, St. Cloud State University or South Dakota State University?
- Saint Cloud State University is 13.4% more expensive to attend than South Dakota State University for in-state tuition ($8,811.00 vs. $7,773.00)
- Out of state tuition is 65.7% higher at St. Cloud State University than South Dakota State University ($18,695.00 vs. $11,283.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Saint Cloud State University than South Dakota State University ($14,065 vs. $18,160)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 23% lower than costs at Saint Cloud State University ($8,087 vs. $9,950)
- More students receive financial grant aid at South Dakota State University than Saint Cloud State University (100% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Cloud State University students is 32.8% larger than aid received South Dakota State University ($6,042 vs. $4,551)
St. Cloud State University vs. South Dakota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, St. Cloud State University 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 St. Cloud State University .
- The average SAT score at South Dakota State University (1068) is 38 points higher than at St. Cloud State University (1030)
- Incoming South Dakota State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at St. Cloud State University (22)
- Accepted freshman South Dakota State University students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at St. Cloud State University (3.4)
- St. Cloud State University has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than South Dakota State University (86.1%)
St. Cloud State University vs. South Dakota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, St. Cloud State University 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 St. Cloud State University.
- The graduation rate at South Dakota State University is higher than Saint Cloud State University (60% vs. 48%)
- Graduates from South Dakota State University earn on average $1,000 more per year than St. Cloud State University graduates after ten years. ($47,700 vs. $46,700)
- Saint Cloud State University students graduate with a $2,616 lower median federal student loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates. ($22,500 vs. $25,116)
- St. Cloud State University graduates are paying $27 less per month on federal student loans than South Dakota State University graduates. ($232 vs. $259)
- More South Dakota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Cloud State University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 67%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/