SUNY Cortland vs. South Dakota State University

Comparable Facts

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

South Dakota State University is larger than SUNY Cortland based on total student enrollment (12,056 students vs. 6,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• State University of New York at Cortland is located in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting); South Dakota State University is in Brookings, SD (Remote Town setting).
• State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. South Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: State University of New York at Cortland 15:1; South Dakota State University 17:1.

SUNY Cortland vs. South Dakota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY Cortland or South Dakota State University? 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 State University of New York at Cortland than South Dakota State University ($19,847 vs. $19,932).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 34.6% lower than at State University of New York at Cortland ($10,176 vs. $15,560).
• South Dakota State University is 4.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $425 more per year; $9,299.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.6% higher at SUNY Cortland than at South Dakota State University (about $5,975 more per year; $18,784.00 vs. $12,809.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Dakota State University than at State University of New York at Cortland (94% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students is 84.5% larger than aid received by South Dakota State University students ($8,254 vs. $4,474).

SUNY Cortland vs. South Dakota State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY Cortland or South Dakota State University? 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 South Dakota State University and SUNY Cortland.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at State University of New York at Cortland (1170) is 20 points higher than at South Dakota State University (1150).
• Incoming SUNY Cortland students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at South Dakota State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240; South Dakota State University 1060/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at Cortland 22/27; South Dakota State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY Cortland - Test-free; South Dakota State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Cortland students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at South Dakota State University (3.53).
• South Dakota State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.3%) than SUNY Cortland (59.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at SUNY Cortland vs. 34.1% at South Dakota State University.

SUNY Cortland vs. South Dakota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY Cortland and South Dakota State University? 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).

• State University of New York at Cortland's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than South Dakota State University's (60%).
• Graduates from South Dakota State University earn a median of about $400 more per year than SUNY Cortland graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $47,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at Cortland graduates have a $3,616 lower median loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,116).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Cortland graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Dakota State University graduates ($222 vs. $259).
• More South Dakota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Cortland 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.