St. Cloud State University vs. USD

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Cloud State University in Saint Cloud, MN with University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Cloud State University is larger than USD based on total student enrollment (10,732 students vs. 10,619 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, MN (Small City setting); University of South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Saint Cloud State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Cloud State University 18:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

St. Cloud State University vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St. Cloud State University 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 Saint Cloud State University than USD ($14,735 vs. $19,133).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 2.3% lower than at Saint Cloud State University ($10,356 vs. $10,596).
• Saint Cloud State University is 8.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $813 more per year; $10,245.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.3% higher at USD than at Saint Cloud State University (about $2,697 more per year; $12,942.00 vs. $10,245.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Cloud State University than at University of South Dakota (84% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Cloud State University students is 25.1% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($7,036 vs. $5,623).

St. Cloud State University vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St. Cloud State University 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 St. Cloud State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Dakota (1220) is 80 points higher than at St. Cloud State University (1140).
• Incoming USD students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at St. Cloud State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Cloud State University 1025/1260; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Cloud State University 17/25; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St. Cloud State University - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St. Cloud State University Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at St. Cloud State University (3.4).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than St. Cloud State University (94.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.6% at St. Cloud State University vs. 24.1% at USD.

St. Cloud State University vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St. Cloud State University 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).

• Saint Cloud State University's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than University of South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from University of South Dakota earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than St. Cloud State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,200 vs. $46,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Cloud State University graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, St. Cloud State University graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($232 vs. $258).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Cloud State University students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 67%)

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.