Iowa vs. South Dakota State University

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

Iowa South Dakota State University
Location Iowa City, IA Brookings, SD
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 30,015 11,327
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #224 #600
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uiowa.edu sdstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Iowa South Dakota State University
Tuition (In State) $8,711 $7,773
Tuition (Out of State) $30,674 $11,283
Room & Board $11,476 $8,087
Avg Net Price $19,587 $18,160
Avg Grant Aid $9,959 $4,551
% Receiving Grant Aid 82% 100%

Admission

Iowa South Dakota State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 25,729 6,364
Admitted 22,128 5,478
Acceptance Rate 86% 86.1%
Enrolled % 23.4% 40%
Avg High School GPA 3.81 3.53
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/28 19/25
SAT Range 1130/1340 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 May 1, 2025

Academics

Iowa South Dakota State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Agriculture (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Work and Family Studies (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Iowa South Dakota State University
Graduation Rate 71% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $59,800 $47,700
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,616 $25,116
Median Loan Payment $223 $259

Diversity

Iowa South Dakota State University
% Men 44% 44%
% Women 56% 56%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 67% 88%
% Black 3% 2%
% Hispanic 7% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 12% 4%
% Unknown Race 4% 0%

Students

Iowa South Dakota State University
% In-State 54% 50%
% Out-of-State 45% 48%

Campus

Iowa 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

  • University of Iowa is larger than than South Dakota State University based on total student enrollment (30,015 students vs. 11,327 students)

Iowa vs. South Dakota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or South Dakota State University?

  • University of Iowa is 12.1% more expensive to attend than South Dakota State University for in-state tuition ($8,711.00 vs. $7,773.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 171.9% higher at Iowa than South Dakota State University ($30,674.00 vs. $11,283.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at South Dakota State University than Iowa ($18,160 vs. $19,587)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 41.9% lower than costs at University of Iowa ($8,087 vs. $11,476)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at South Dakota State University than University of Iowa (100% vs. 82%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Iowa students is 118.8% larger than aid received South Dakota State University ($9,959 vs. $4,551)

Iowa vs. South Dakota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa 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 Iowa .

  • The average SAT score at University of Iowa (1164) is 96 points higher than at South Dakota State University (1068)
  • Incoming Iowa students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at South Dakota State University (23)
  • Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at South Dakota State University (3.53)
  • South Dakota State University has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than Iowa (86%)

Iowa vs. South Dakota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Iowa 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 Iowa.

  • The graduation rate at Iowa is higher than South Dakota State University (71% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from University of Iowa earn on average $12,100 more per year than South Dakota State University graduates after ten years. ($59,800 vs. $47,700)
  • University of Iowa students graduate with a $3,500 lower median federal student loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates. ($21,616 vs. $25,116)
  • Iowa graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than South Dakota State University graduates. ($223 vs. $259)
  • More South Dakota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 70%)

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