South Dakota State University vs. UW

Should I go to South Dakota State University or University of Wyoming? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if South Dakota State University or UW 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 Wyoming comparison
South Dakota State University University of Wyoming College 3 College 4
South Dakota State University University of Wyoming
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Overview

South Dakota State University UW
Location Brookings, SD Laramie, WY
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 11,327 11,100
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #600 #331
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sdstate.edu uwyo.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

South Dakota State University UW
Tuition (In State) $7,773 $4,800
Tuition (Out of State) $11,283 $19,950
Room & Board $8,087 $11,610
Avg Net Price $18,160 $12,819
Avg Grant Aid $4,551 $8,942
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 94%

Admission

South Dakota State University UW
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,364 5,797
Admitted 5,478 5,564
Acceptance Rate 86.1% 96%
Enrolled % 40% 29.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 21/28
SAT Range 1020/1245 1040/1240
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 10, 2025

Academics

South Dakota State University UW
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Agriculture (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Work and Family Studies (7%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

South Dakota State University UW
Graduation Rate 60% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,700 $51,400
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,116 $18,500
Median Loan Payment $259 $191

Diversity

South Dakota State University UW
% Men 44% 46%
% Women 56% 54%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 88% 76%
% Black 2% 1%
% Hispanic 2% 7%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 7%

Students

South Dakota State University UW
% In-State 50% 56%
% Out-of-State 48% 40%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • South Dakota State University is larger than than UW based on total student enrollment (11,327 students vs. 11,100 students)

South Dakota State University vs. UW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, South Dakota State University or UW?

  • South Dakota State University is 61.9% more expensive to attend than UW for in-state tuition ($7,773.00 vs. $4,800.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 76.8% higher at UW than South Dakota State University ($19,950.00 vs. $11,283.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Wyoming than South Dakota State University ($12,819 vs. $18,160)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 43.6% lower than costs at University of Wyoming ($8,087 vs. $11,610)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at South Dakota State University than University of Wyoming (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wyoming students is 96.5% larger than aid received South Dakota State University ($8,942 vs. $4,551)

South Dakota State University vs. UW Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Wyoming (1122) is 54 points higher than at South Dakota State University (1068)
  • Incoming UW students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at South Dakota State University (23)
  • Accepted freshman South Dakota State University students have at the same average high school GPA (3.53) as students at UW (3.53)
  • UW has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than South Dakota State University (86.1%)

South Dakota State University vs. UW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, South Dakota State University or UW? 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 UW and South Dakota State University.

  • The graduation rate at South Dakota State University is higher than University of Wyoming (60% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from University of Wyoming earn on average $3,700 more per year than South Dakota State University graduates after ten years. ($51,400 vs. $47,700)
  • University of Wyoming students graduate with a $6,616 lower median federal student loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates. ($18,500 vs. $25,116)
  • UW graduates are paying $68 less per month on federal student loans than South Dakota State University graduates. ($191 vs. $259)
  • More South Dakota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UW students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 75%)

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