Idaho vs. South Dakota State University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Idaho in Moscow, ID with South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Idaho is larger than South Dakota State University based on total student enrollment (12,286 students vs. 12,056 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Idaho is located in Moscow, ID (Rural Fringe setting); South Dakota State University is in Brookings, SD (Remote Town setting).
• University of Idaho is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. South Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Idaho 18:1; South Dakota State University 17:1.

Idaho vs. South Dakota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Idaho 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 University of Idaho than South Dakota State University ($15,111 vs. $19,932).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 9.5% lower than at University of Idaho ($10,176 vs. $11,243).
• South Dakota State University is 2.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Idaho (about $215 more per year; $9,299.00 vs. $9,084.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 121.1% higher at Idaho than at South Dakota State University (about $15,511 more per year; $28,320.00 vs. $12,809.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Idaho than at South Dakota State University (96% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Idaho students is 180.9% larger than aid received by South Dakota State University students ($12,568 vs. $4,474).

Idaho vs. South Dakota State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Idaho 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 Idaho.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at South Dakota State University (1150) is 40 points higher than at Idaho (1110).
• Incoming Idaho students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at South Dakota State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Idaho 990/1230; South Dakota State University 1060/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Idaho 20/26; South Dakota State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Idaho - Test optional; South Dakota State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman South Dakota State University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Idaho (3.47).
• South Dakota State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.3%) than Idaho (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Idaho vs. 34.1% at South Dakota State University.

Idaho vs. South Dakota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Idaho 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).

• South Dakota State University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than University of Idaho's (51%).
• Graduates from South Dakota State University earn a median of about $800 more per year than Idaho graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $46,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Idaho graduates have a $837 lower median loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates ($24,279 vs. $25,116).
• Among borrowers, Idaho graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Dakota State University graduates ($251 vs. $259).
• More South Dakota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Idaho students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 61%)

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.