University at Albany- SUNY vs. USD

Comparable Facts

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

University at Albany is larger than USD based on total student enrollment (17,560 students vs. 10,619 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

University at Albany- SUNY vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University at Albany- SUNY 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 at Albany than USD ($17,949 vs. $19,133).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 36.9% lower than at University at Albany ($10,356 vs. $16,423).
• University at Albany is 15.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $1,434 more per year; $10,866.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 141.5% higher at University at Albany- SUNY than at University of South Dakota (about $18,314 more per year; $31,256.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University at Albany than at University of South Dakota (96% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University at Albany students is 99.4% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($11,210 vs. $5,623).

University at Albany- SUNY vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University at Albany- SUNY 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 University at Albany- SUNY.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University at Albany (1220) is the same as at USD (1220).
• Incoming University at Albany- SUNY students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at USD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University at Albany 1120/1320; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University at Albany 22/31; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University at Albany- SUNY - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University at Albany- SUNY Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at University at Albany- SUNY (3.3).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than University at Albany- SUNY (69.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at University at Albany- SUNY vs. 24.1% at USD.

University at Albany- SUNY vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University at Albany- SUNY 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).

• University at Albany's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than University of South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from University at Albany earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than USD graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,800 vs. $48,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University at Albany graduates have a $3,935 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($21,065 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, University at Albany- SUNY graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($217 vs. $258).
• More University at Albany- SUNY graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.