Minnesota vs. Dakota State

Comparable Facts

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

University of Minnesota Twin Cities is larger than Dakota State based on total student enrollment (56,666 students vs. 3,774 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Minnesota Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting); Dakota State University is in Madison, SD (Distant Town setting).
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities 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 Twin Cities 17:1; Dakota State University 18:1.

Minnesota vs. Dakota State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Minnesota 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 Twin Cities than Dakota State ($17,209 vs. $20,438).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 29.7% lower than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities ($9,742 vs. $13,856).
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities is 78.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota State (about $7,560 more per year; $17,214.00 vs. $9,654.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 200.7% higher at Minnesota than at Dakota State University (about $25,606 more per year; $38,362.00 vs. $12,756.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dakota State University than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (88% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Minnesota Twin Cities students is 133.7% larger than aid received by Dakota State University students ($12,552 vs. $5,371).

Minnesota vs. Dakota State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Minnesota 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 Minnesota.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (1400) is 80 points higher than at Dakota State (1320).
• Incoming Minnesota students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at Dakota State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Twin Cities 1300/1500; Dakota State University 1190/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Twin Cities 26/31; Dakota State University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Minnesota - Test optional; Dakota State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Minnesota Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Minnesota students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Dakota State (3.33).
• Dakota State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than Minnesota (79.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.3% at Minnesota vs. 18% at Dakota State.

Minnesota vs. Dakota State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Minnesota 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 Twin Cities's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Dakota State University's (34%).
• Graduates from University of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of about $16,000 more per year than Dakota State graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates have a $3,315 lower median loan debt than Dakota State graduates ($20,185 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Minnesota graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dakota State graduates ($208 vs. $242).
• More Minnesota graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota State students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.