University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. Dakota State

Comparable Facts

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

University of Minnesota Duluth is larger than Dakota State based on total student enrollment (9,253 students vs. 3,774 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Minnesota Duluth is located in Duluth, MN (Small City setting); Dakota State University is in Madison, SD (Distant Town setting).
• University of Minnesota Duluth is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Minnesota Duluth 16:1; Dakota State University 18:1.

University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. Dakota State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Minnesota-Duluth 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 Minnesota Duluth than Dakota State ($20,128 vs. $20,438).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 12.3% lower than at University of Minnesota Duluth ($9,742 vs. $11,110).
• University of Minnesota Duluth is 51.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota State (about $4,956 more per year; $14,610.00 vs. $9,654.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.8% higher at University of Minnesota-Duluth than at Dakota State University (about $7,374 more per year; $20,130.00 vs. $12,756.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Duluth than at Dakota State University (95% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Minnesota Duluth students is 33.8% larger than aid received by Dakota State University students ($7,186 vs. $5,371).

University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. Dakota State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Minnesota-Duluth 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 University of Minnesota-Duluth.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dakota State University (1320) is 50 points higher than at University of Minnesota-Duluth (1270).
• Incoming University of Minnesota-Duluth students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Dakota State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Duluth 1180/1350; Dakota State University 1190/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Duluth 23/28; Dakota State University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Minnesota-Duluth - Test optional; Dakota State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Minnesota-Duluth Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Minnesota-Duluth students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at Dakota State (3.33).
• University of Minnesota-Duluth has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than Dakota State (88%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. 18% at Dakota State.

University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. Dakota State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Minnesota-Duluth 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 Minnesota Duluth's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Dakota State University's (34%).
• Graduates from University of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than Dakota State graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dakota State University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates ($23,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Dakota State graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates ($242 vs. $258).
• More University of Minnesota-Duluth 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.