Truman State vs. USD

Comparable Facts

Compare Truman State University in Kirksville, MO with University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Dakota is larger than Truman State based on total student enrollment (10,619 students vs. 3,664 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Truman State University is located in Kirksville, MO (Remote Town setting); University of South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Truman State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Truman State University 12:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

Truman State vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Truman State 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 Truman State University than USD ($13,602 vs. $19,133).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 6.9% lower than at Truman State University ($10,356 vs. $11,128).
• Truman State University is 4.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $406 more per year; $9,838.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.5% higher at Truman State than at University of South Dakota (about $5,624 more per year; $18,566.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Truman State University than at University of South Dakota (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Truman State University students is 116.7% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($12,186 vs. $5,623).

Truman State vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Truman State 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 Truman State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Truman State University (1270) is 50 points higher than at USD (1220).
• Incoming Truman State students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at USD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Truman State University 1170/1370; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Truman State University 25/31; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Truman State - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Truman State students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at USD (3.43).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than Truman State (83.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.9% at Truman State vs. 24.1% at USD.

Truman State vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Truman State 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).

• Truman State University's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than University of South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from Truman State University earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than USD graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,800 vs. $48,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Truman State University graduates have a $2,344 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($22,656 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Truman State graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($234 vs. $258).
• More Truman State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.