South Dakota State University vs. USD

Comparable Facts

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

South Dakota State University is larger than USD based on total student enrollment (12,056 students vs. 10,619 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• South Dakota State University is located in Brookings, SD (Remote Town setting); University of South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• South Dakota 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: South Dakota State University 17:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

South Dakota State University vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, South Dakota 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 University of South Dakota than South Dakota State University ($19,133 vs. $19,932).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 1.7% lower than at University of South Dakota ($10,176 vs. $10,356).
• University of South Dakota is 1.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Dakota State University (about $133 more per year; $9,432.00 vs. $9,299.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at USD than at South Dakota State University (about $133 more per year; $12,942.00 vs. $12,809.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Dakota State University than at University of South Dakota (94% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Dakota students is 25.7% larger than aid received by South Dakota State University students ($5,623 vs. $4,474).

South Dakota State University vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, South Dakota 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 South Dakota State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Dakota (1220) is 70 points higher than at South Dakota State University (1150).
• Incoming South Dakota State University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at USD (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: South Dakota State University 1060/1240; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: South Dakota State University 19/25; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: South Dakota State University - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman South Dakota State University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at USD (3.43).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than South Dakota State University (98.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.1% at South Dakota State University vs. 24.1% at USD.

South Dakota State University vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for South Dakota 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).

• South Dakota State University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than University of South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from University of South Dakota earn a median of about $500 more per year than South Dakota State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,200 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Dakota graduates have a $116 lower median loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,116).
• Among borrowers, USD 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 USD students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.