Umary vs. Dakota State

Comparable Facts

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

University of Mary is larger than Dakota State based on total student enrollment (3,861 students vs. 3,774 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Mary is located in Bismarck, ND (Rural Fringe setting); Dakota State University is in Madison, SD (Distant Town setting).
• University of Mary is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Mary 14:1; Dakota State University 18:1.

Umary vs. Dakota State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Umary 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 University of Mary than Dakota State ($20,156 vs. $20,438).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary are 4.8% lower than at Dakota State University ($9,276 vs. $9,742).
• University of Mary is 131.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota State (about $12,702 more per year; $22,356.00 vs. $9,654.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.3% higher at Umary than at Dakota State University (about $9,600 more per year; $22,356.00 vs. $12,756.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary than at Dakota State University (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Mary students is 153.2% larger than aid received by Dakota State University students ($13,601 vs. $5,371).

Umary vs. Dakota State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Umary 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 Umary.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dakota State University (1320) is 90 points higher than at Umary (1230).
• Incoming Umary students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Dakota State (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Mary 1110/1340; Dakota State University 1190/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Mary 21/26; Dakota State University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Umary - Test optional; Dakota State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Umary Sep 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Umary students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Dakota State (3.33).
• Dakota State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than Umary (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 41.4% at Umary vs. 18% at Dakota State.

Umary vs. Dakota State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Umary 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 Mary's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Dakota State University's (34%).
• Graduates from University of Mary earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than Dakota State graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,900 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Mary graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Dakota State graduates ($22,500 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Umary graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dakota State graduates ($232 vs. $242).
• More Umary graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota State students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.