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University of North Dakota USD Dakota State ISU NDSU University of Minnesota-Duluth WSC MSU Moorhead South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Nebraska St. Cloud State University Augustana| University of Nebraska at Kearney | South Dakota State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
UNK | South Dakota State University | ||
| Location | Kearney, NE | Brookings, SD | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 6,041 | 11,327 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #571 | #600 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | unk.edu | sdstate.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
UNK | South Dakota State University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $6,220 | $7,773 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $12,036 | $11,283 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,390 | $8,087 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $16,564 | $18,160 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $7,282 | $4,551 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 100% |
Admission |
UNK | South Dakota State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 6,794 | 6,364 | ||
| Admitted | 5,842 | 5,478 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 86% | 86.1% | ||
| Enrolled % | 14.8% | 40% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.24 | 3.53 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Moderate | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 19/25 | 19/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 1000/1200 | 1020/1245 | ||
| 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 |
UNK | South Dakota State University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 13:1 | 18:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
UNK | South Dakota State University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 61% | 60% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $43,400 | $47,700 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 71% | 77% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $21,250 | $25,116 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $219 | $259 |
Diversity |
UNK | South Dakota State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 34% | 44% | ||
| % Women | 66% | 56% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 79% | 88% | ||
| % Black | 2% | 2% | ||
| % Hispanic | 11% | 2% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 2% | ||
| % International | 5% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 0% |
Students |
UNK | South Dakota State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 85% | 50% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 11% | 48% | ||
Campus |
UNK | South Dakota State University | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- South Dakota State University is larger than than UNK based on total student enrollment (11,327 students vs. 6,041 students)
UNK vs. South Dakota State University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, UNK or South Dakota State University?
- South Dakota State University is 25% more expensive to attend than UNK for in-state tuition ($7,773.00 vs. $6,220.00)
- Out of state tuition is 6.7% higher at UNK than South Dakota State University ($12,036.00 vs. $11,283.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Nebraska at Kearney than South Dakota State University ($16,564 vs. $18,160)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 40.8% lower than costs at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($8,087 vs. $11,390)
- The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at University of Nebraska at Kearney as South Dakota State University (100% vs. 100%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by University of Nebraska at Kearney students is 60% larger than aid received South Dakota State University ($7,282 vs. $4,551)
UNK vs. South Dakota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, UNK or South Dakota State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between South Dakota State University or UNK .
- The average SAT score at South Dakota State University (1068) is 19 points higher than at UNK (1049)
- Incoming UNK students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at South Dakota State University (23)
- Accepted freshman South Dakota State University students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at UNK (3.24)
- South Dakota State University has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than UNK (86%)
UNK vs. South Dakota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, UNK or South Dakota State University? 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 South Dakota State University and UNK.
- The graduation rate at UNK is higher than South Dakota State University (61% vs. 60%)
- Graduates from South Dakota State University earn on average $4,300 more per year than UNK graduates after ten years. ($47,700 vs. $43,400)
- University of Nebraska at Kearney students graduate with a $3,866 lower median federal student loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates. ($21,250 vs. $25,116)
- UNK graduates are paying $40 less per month on federal student loans than South Dakota State University graduates. ($219 vs. $259)
- More South Dakota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNK students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 71%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/