Iowa vs. USD

Comparable Facts

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

University of Iowa is larger than USD based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 10,619 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Iowa vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa 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 University of South Dakota than Iowa ($19,133 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 19.8% lower than at University of Iowa ($10,356 vs. $12,920).
• University of Iowa is 19.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $1,851 more per year; $11,283.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 157.9% higher at Iowa than at University of South Dakota (about $20,429 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Dakota than at University of Iowa (83% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Iowa students is 75.4% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($9,865 vs. $5,623).

Iowa vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa 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 Iowa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 10 points higher than at USD (1220).
• Incoming Iowa students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at USD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa 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 Iowa (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 24.1% at USD.

Iowa vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa 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).

• University of Iowa's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than University of South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than USD graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $48,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $3,384 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($21,616 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($223 vs. $258).
• More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.