Nebraska vs. Dakota State

Comparable Facts

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

University of Nebraska Lincoln is larger than Dakota State based on total student enrollment (24,393 students vs. 3,774 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Nebraska Lincoln is located in Lincoln, NE (Large City setting); Dakota State University is in Madison, SD (Distant Town setting).
• University of Nebraska Lincoln 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 Nebraska Lincoln 17:1; Dakota State University 18:1.

Nebraska vs. Dakota State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nebraska 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 Nebraska Lincoln than Dakota State ($18,322 vs. $20,438).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 31% lower than at University of Nebraska Lincoln ($9,742 vs. $14,120).
• University of Nebraska Lincoln is 8.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota State (about $780 more per year; $10,434.00 vs. $9,654.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 124.1% higher at Nebraska than at Dakota State University (about $15,828 more per year; $28,584.00 vs. $12,756.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nebraska Lincoln than at Dakota State University (94% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Nebraska Lincoln students is 96.3% larger than aid received by Dakota State University students ($10,541 vs. $5,371).

Nebraska vs. Dakota State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Nebraska 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 Nebraska.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dakota State University (1320) is 110 points higher than at Nebraska (1210).
• Incoming Nebraska 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 Nebraska Lincoln 1098/1330; Dakota State University 1190/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nebraska Lincoln 22/28; Dakota State University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nebraska - Test optional; Dakota State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Nebraska May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Nebraska students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Dakota State (3.33).
• Dakota State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than Nebraska (87.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.8% at Nebraska vs. 18% at Dakota State.

Nebraska vs. Dakota State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nebraska 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 Nebraska Lincoln's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Dakota State University's (34%).
• Graduates from University of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than Dakota State graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,600 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nebraska Lincoln graduates have a $1,800 lower median loan debt than Dakota State graduates ($21,700 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Nebraska graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dakota State graduates ($224 vs. $242).
• More Nebraska graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota State students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.