South Dakota State University vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester

Should I go to South Dakota State University or University of Minnesota Rochester? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if South Dakota State University or University of Minnesota-Rochester is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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South Dakota State University vs. University of Minnesota Rochester comparison
South Dakota State University University of Minnesota Rochester College 3 College 4
South Dakota State University
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Overview

South Dakota State University University of Minnesota-Rochester
Location Brookings, SD Rochester, MN
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 11,498 588
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #579
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sdstate.edu umn.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

South Dakota State University University of Minnesota-Rochester
Tuition (In State) $7,773 $13,256
Tuition (Out of State) $11,283 $13,256
Room & Board $9,562 $12,990
Avg Net Price $18,233 $13,840
Avg Grant Aid $4,327 $13,604
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 75%

Admission

South Dakota State University University of Minnesota-Rochester
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,884 1,221
Admitted 5,808 877
Acceptance Rate 98.7% 71.8%
Enrolled % 39.2% 18.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Average Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26 20/26
SAT Range 1040/1300 1058/1331
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 Jul 31, 2026

Academics

South Dakota State University University of Minnesota-Rochester
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Agriculture (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Work and Family Studies (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

South Dakota State University University of Minnesota-Rochester
Graduation Rate 60% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,700 $58,200
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,116 $20,185
Median Loan Payment $259 $208

Diversity

South Dakota State University University of Minnesota-Rochester
% Men 5% 1%
% Women 7% 2%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 88% 79%
% Black 2% 6%
% Hispanic 2% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

South Dakota State University University of Minnesota-Rochester
% In-State 50% 79%
% Out-of-State 48% 17%

Campus

South Dakota State University University of Minnesota-Rochester
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • South Dakota State University is larger than than University of Minnesota-Rochester based on total student enrollment (11,498 students vs. 588 students)

South Dakota State University vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, South Dakota State University or University of Minnesota-Rochester?

  • University of Minnesota Rochester is 70.5% more expensive to attend than South Dakota State University for in-state tuition ($13,256.00 vs. $7,773.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 17.5% higher at University of Minnesota-Rochester than South Dakota State University ($13,256.00 vs. $11,283.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Minnesota Rochester than South Dakota State University ($13,840 vs. $18,233)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 35.9% lower than costs at University of Minnesota Rochester ($9,562 vs. $12,990)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at South Dakota State University than University of Minnesota Rochester (94% vs. 75%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Minnesota Rochester students is 214.4% larger than aid received South Dakota State University ($13,604 vs. $4,327)

South Dakota State University vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, South Dakota State University or University of Minnesota-Rochester? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between University of Minnesota-Rochester or South Dakota State University .

  • The average SAT score at University of Minnesota Rochester (1110) is 42 points higher than at South Dakota State University (1068)
  • Incoming University of Minnesota-Rochester students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at South Dakota State University (23)
  • South Dakota State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than University of Minnesota-Rochester (71.8%)

South Dakota State University vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, South Dakota State University or University of Minnesota-Rochester? 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 University of Minnesota-Rochester and South Dakota State University.

  • Graduates from University of Minnesota Rochester earn on average $10,500 more per year than South Dakota State University graduates after ten years. ($58,200 vs. $47,700)
  • University of Minnesota Rochester students graduate with a $4,931 lower median federal student loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates. ($20,185 vs. $25,116)
  • University of Minnesota-Rochester graduates are paying $51 less per month on federal student loans than South Dakota State University graduates. ($208 vs. $259)
  • More South Dakota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Minnesota-Rochester students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/