The University of Montana vs. USD

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Montana is larger than USD based on total student enrollment (10,811 students vs. 10,619 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Montana is located in Missoula, MT (Small City setting); University of South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• The University of Montana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Montana 17:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

The University of Montana vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, The University of Montana 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 The University of Montana than USD ($17,370 vs. $19,133).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 19.1% lower than at The University of Montana ($10,356 vs. $12,804).
• University of South Dakota is 10.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than The University of Montana (about $880 more per year; $9,432.00 vs. $8,552.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 160.2% higher at The University of Montana than at University of South Dakota (about $20,729 more per year; $33,671.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at The University of Montana as at University of South Dakota (83% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Montana students is 74.3% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($9,799 vs. $5,623).

The University of Montana vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, The University of Montana 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 The University of Montana.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Dakota (1220) is 40 points higher than at The University of Montana (1180).
• Incoming The University of Montana 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: The University of Montana 1070/1280; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Montana 18/26; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: The University of Montana - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: The University of Montana Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at The University of Montana (3.36).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than The University of Montana (95.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at The University of Montana vs. 24.1% at USD.

The University of Montana vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for The University of Montana 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).

• The graduation rate at The University of Montana is the same as at University of South Dakota (47% vs. 47%).
• Graduates from University of South Dakota earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than The University of Montana graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,200 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Montana graduates have a $1,817 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($23,183 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, The University of Montana graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($239 vs. $258).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Montana students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 59%)

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.