Iowa vs. Dakota State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA with Dakota State University in Madison, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than Dakota State based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 3,774 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); Dakota State University is in Madison, SD (Distant Town setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; Dakota State University 18:1.

Iowa vs. Dakota State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or Dakota State? 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 Dakota State University than Iowa ($20,438 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 24.6% lower than at University of Iowa ($9,742 vs. $12,920).
• University of Iowa is 16.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota State (about $1,629 more per year; $11,283.00 vs. $9,654.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 161.6% higher at Iowa than at Dakota State University (about $20,615 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $12,756.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dakota State University than at University of Iowa (88% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Iowa students is 83.7% larger than aid received by Dakota State University students ($9,865 vs. $5,371).

Iowa vs. Dakota State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa or Dakota State? 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 Dakota State and Iowa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dakota State University (1320) is 90 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming Iowa students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Dakota State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; Dakota State University 1190/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; Dakota State University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; Dakota State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Dakota State (3.33).
• Dakota State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than Iowa (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 18% at Dakota State.

Iowa vs. Dakota State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and Dakota State? 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).

• University of Iowa's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Dakota State University's (34%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $17,600 more per year than Dakota State graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $1,884 lower median loan debt than Dakota State graduates ($21,616 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dakota State graduates ($223 vs. $242).
• More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota State students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 67%)

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.