KU vs. USD

Comparable Facts

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

University of Kansas is larger than USD based on total student enrollment (29,792 students vs. 10,619 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, KS (Small City setting); University of South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• University of Kansas 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 Kansas 18:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

KU vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KU 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 KU ($19,133 vs. $19,205).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 8.8% lower than at University of Kansas ($10,356 vs. $11,358).
• University of Kansas is 28.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $2,670 more per year; $12,102.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 135.1% higher at KU than at University of South Dakota (about $17,490 more per year; $30,432.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Kansas than at University of South Dakota (91% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kansas students is 105.2% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($11,541 vs. $5,623).

KU vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KU 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 KU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Dakota (1220) is 30 points higher than at KU (1190).
• Incoming KU 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 Kansas 1070/1300; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kansas 20/28; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KU - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: KU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman KU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at USD (3.43).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than KU (93.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.5% at KU vs. 24.1% at USD.

KU vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KU 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 Kansas's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than University of South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from University of Kansas earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than USD graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $48,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kansas graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, KU graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($211 vs. $258).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KU students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 66%)

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.