The University of Montana vs. South Dakota State University

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

The University of Montana South Dakota State University
Location Missoula, MT Brookings, SD
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 9,955 11,327
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #724 #600
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website umt.edu sdstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

The University of Montana South Dakota State University
Tuition (In State) $5,515 $7,773
Tuition (Out of State) $27,168 $11,283
Room & Board $11,608 $8,087
Avg Net Price $16,361 $18,160
Avg Grant Aid $5,645 $4,551
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

The University of Montana South Dakota State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,943 6,364
Admitted 8,530 5,478
Acceptance Rate 95.4% 86.1%
Enrolled % 19% 40%
Avg High School GPA 3.36 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/26 19/25
SAT Range 1070/1280 1020/1245
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 Aug 18, 2025

Academics

The University of Montana South Dakota State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Agriculture (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Work and Family Studies (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

The University of Montana South Dakota State University
Graduation Rate 47% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,000 $47,700
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,183 $25,116
Median Loan Payment $239 $259

Diversity

The University of Montana South Dakota State University
% Men 40% 44%
% Women 60% 56%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 88%
% Black 1% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 3% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 5% 0%

Students

The University of Montana South Dakota State University
% In-State 55% 50%
% Out-of-State 44% 48%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • South Dakota State University is larger than than The University of Montana based on total student enrollment (11,327 students vs. 9,955 students)

The University of Montana vs. South Dakota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, The University of Montana or South Dakota State University?

  • South Dakota State University is 40.9% more expensive to attend than The University of Montana for in-state tuition ($7,773.00 vs. $5,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 140.8% higher at The University of Montana than South Dakota State University ($27,168.00 vs. $11,283.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The University of Montana than South Dakota State University ($16,361 vs. $18,160)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 43.5% lower than costs at The University of Montana ($8,087 vs. $11,608)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at The University of Montana as South Dakota State University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Montana students is 24% larger than aid received South Dakota State University ($5,645 vs. $4,551)

The University of Montana vs. South Dakota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at The University of Montana (1090) is 22 points higher than at South Dakota State University (1068)
  • Incoming The University of Montana students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at South Dakota State University (23)
  • Accepted freshman South Dakota State University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at The University of Montana (3.36)
  • The University of Montana has a higher acceptance rate (95.4%) than South Dakota State University (86.1%)

The University of Montana vs. South Dakota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, The University of Montana or South Dakota State University? 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 South Dakota State University and The University of Montana.

  • The graduation rate at South Dakota State University is higher than The University of Montana (60% vs. 47%)
  • Graduates from South Dakota State University earn on average $6,700 more per year than The University of Montana graduates after ten years. ($47,700 vs. $41,000)
  • The University of Montana students graduate with a $1,933 lower median federal student loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates. ($23,183 vs. $25,116)
  • The University of Montana graduates are paying $20 less per month on federal student loans than South Dakota State University graduates. ($239 vs. $259)
  • More South Dakota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Montana students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 59%)

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