Umary vs. USD

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Dakota is larger than Umary based on total student enrollment (10,619 students vs. 3,861 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Mary is located in Bismarck, ND (Rural Fringe setting); University of South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• University of Mary is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Mary 14:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

Umary vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Umary 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 Umary ($19,133 vs. $20,156).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary are 10.4% lower than at University of South Dakota ($9,276 vs. $10,356).
• University of Mary is 137% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $12,924 more per year; $22,356.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.7% higher at Umary than at University of South Dakota (about $9,414 more per year; $22,356.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary than at University of South Dakota (99% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Mary students is 141.9% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($13,601 vs. $5,623).

Umary vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Umary 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 Umary.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Mary (1230) is 10 points higher than at USD (1220).
• Incoming Umary students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at USD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Mary 1110/1340; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Mary 21/26; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Umary - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Umary Sep 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Umary (3.37).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than Umary (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 41.4% at Umary vs. 24.1% at USD.

Umary vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Umary 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 Mary's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than University of South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from University of Mary earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than USD graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,900 vs. $48,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Mary graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Umary graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($232 vs. $258).
• More Umary graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.