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K-State South Dakota State University ESU University of Missouri-Columbia Nebraska Arkansas Iowa University of Missouri-Kansas City UALR Johnson County Community College OU Baker| University of Kansas | University of South Dakota | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
KU | USD | ||
| Location | Lawrence, KS | Vermillion, SD | ||
| Setting | Small City | Distant Town | ||
| Enrollment | 28,406 | 9,868 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #291 | #576 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | ku.edu | usd.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
KU | USD | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $10,596 | $7,773 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $28,308 | $11,283 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,818 | $9,060 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $18,322 | $18,466 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $10,644 | $5,580 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 89% | 81% |
Admission |
KU | USD | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 19,226 | 5,349 | ||
| Admitted | 16,958 | 5,293 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 88.2% | 99% | ||
| Enrolled % | 31% | 25.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.66 | 3.43 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 21/27 | 19/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 1050/1290 | 1110/1330 | ||
| 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 | Aug 15, 2025 |
Academics |
KU | USD | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 14:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
KU | USD | ||
| Graduation Rate | 61% | 47% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $54,600 | $48,200 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 66% | 70% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $20,500 | $25,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $211 | $258 |
Diversity |
KU | USD | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 11% | 12% | ||
| % Women | 16% | 16% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 72% | 85% | ||
| % Black | 4% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 7% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 2% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 5% | 3% | ||
| % International | 6% | 2% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 0% |
Students |
KU | USD | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 55% | 53% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 43% | 41% | ||
Campus |
KU | USD | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- University of Kansas is larger than than USD based on total student enrollment (28,406 students vs. 9,868 students)
KU vs. USD Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, KU or USD?
- University of Kansas is 36.3% more expensive to attend than USD for in-state tuition ($10,596.00 vs. $7,773.00)
- Out of state tuition is 150.9% higher at KU than University of South Dakota ($28,308.00 vs. $11,283.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Kansas than USD ($18,322 vs. $18,466)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 19.4% lower than costs at University of Kansas ($9,060 vs. $10,818)
- More students receive financial grant aid at University of Kansas than University of South Dakota (89% vs. 81%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kansas students is 90.8% larger than aid received University of South Dakota ($10,644 vs. $5,580)
KU vs. USD Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, KU or USD? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between USD or KU .
- The average SAT score at University of Kansas (1145) is 96 points higher than at USD (1049)
- Incoming KU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at USD (23)
- 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 (99%) than KU (88.2%)
KU vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, KU or USD? 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 USD and KU.
- The graduation rate at KU is higher than University of South Dakota (61% vs. 47%)
- Graduates from University of Kansas earn on average $6,400 more per year than USD graduates after ten years. ($54,600 vs. $48,200)
- University of Kansas students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than USD graduates. ($20,500 vs. $25,000)
- KU graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans 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/