Nebraska vs. USD

Comparable Facts

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

University of Nebraska Lincoln is larger than USD based on total student enrollment (24,393 students vs. 10,619 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Nebraska Lincoln is located in Lincoln, NE (Large City setting); University of South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• University of Nebraska Lincoln is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Nebraska Lincoln 17:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

Nebraska vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nebraska 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 Nebraska Lincoln than USD ($18,322 vs. $19,133).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 26.7% lower than at University of Nebraska Lincoln ($10,356 vs. $14,120).
• University of Nebraska Lincoln is 10.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $1,002 more per year; $10,434.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 120.9% higher at Nebraska than at University of South Dakota (about $15,642 more per year; $28,584.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nebraska Lincoln than at University of South Dakota (94% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Nebraska Lincoln students is 87.5% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($10,541 vs. $5,623).

Nebraska vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Nebraska 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 Nebraska.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Dakota (1220) is 10 points higher than at Nebraska (1210).
• Incoming Nebraska students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at USD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nebraska Lincoln 1098/1330; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nebraska Lincoln 22/28; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nebraska - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Nebraska May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Nebraska students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at USD (3.43).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than Nebraska (87.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.8% at Nebraska vs. 24.1% at USD.

Nebraska vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nebraska 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 Nebraska Lincoln's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than University of South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from University of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than USD graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,600 vs. $48,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nebraska Lincoln graduates have a $3,300 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($21,700 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Nebraska graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($224 vs. $258).
• More Nebraska graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.