University of Northern Colorado vs. South Dakota State University

Should I go to University of Northern Colorado or South Dakota State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of Northern Colorado or South Dakota State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of Northern Colorado vs. South Dakota State University comparison
University of Northern Colorado South Dakota State University College 3 College 4
University of Northern Colorado South Dakota State University
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Overview

University of Northern Colorado South Dakota State University
Location Greeley, CO Brookings, SD
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 9,380 11,327
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #617 #600
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unco.edu sdstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Northern Colorado South Dakota State University
Tuition (In State) $8,750 $7,773
Tuition (Out of State) $22,140 $11,283
Room & Board $12,870 $8,087
Avg Net Price $18,310 $18,160
Avg Grant Aid $8,813 $4,551
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

University of Northern Colorado South Dakota State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,107 6,364
Admitted 7,938 5,478
Acceptance Rate 78.5% 86.1%
Enrolled % 15% 40%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 19/25
SAT Range 990/1200 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 1, 2025

Academics

University of Northern Colorado South Dakota State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • General Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Agriculture (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Work and Family Studies (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

University of Northern Colorado South Dakota State University
Graduation Rate 46% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $47,700
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,970 $25,116
Median Loan Payment $227 $259

Diversity

University of Northern Colorado South Dakota State University
% Men 31% 44%
% Women 69% 56%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 56% 88%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 18% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 15% 0%

Students

University of Northern Colorado South Dakota State University
% In-State 82% 50%
% Out-of-State 17% 48%

Campus

University of Northern Colorado South Dakota State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • South Dakota State University is larger than than University of Northern Colorado based on total student enrollment (11,327 students vs. 9,380 students)

University of Northern Colorado vs. South Dakota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Northern Colorado or South Dakota State University?

  • University of Northern Colorado is 12.6% more expensive to attend than South Dakota State University for in-state tuition ($8,750.00 vs. $7,773.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 96.2% higher at University of Northern Colorado than South Dakota State University ($22,140.00 vs. $11,283.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at South Dakota State University than University of Northern Colorado ($18,160 vs. $18,310)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 59.1% lower than costs at University of Northern Colorado ($8,087 vs. $12,870)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at University of Northern Colorado as South Dakota State University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Colorado students is 93.6% larger than aid received South Dakota State University ($8,813 vs. $4,551)

University of Northern Colorado vs. South Dakota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Northern Colorado 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 University of Northern Colorado .

  • The average SAT score at South Dakota State University (1068) is 37 points higher than at University of Northern Colorado (1031)
  • Incoming South Dakota State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at University of Northern Colorado (22)
  • Accepted freshman University of Northern Colorado students have at the same average high school GPA (3.53) as students at South Dakota State University (3.53)
  • South Dakota State University has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than University of Northern Colorado (78.5%)

University of Northern Colorado vs. South Dakota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Northern Colorado 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 University of Northern Colorado.

  • The graduation rate at South Dakota State University is higher than University of Northern Colorado (60% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from South Dakota State University earn on average $3,100 more per year than University of Northern Colorado graduates after ten years. ($47,700 vs. $44,600)
  • University of Northern Colorado students graduate with a $3,146 lower median federal student loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates. ($21,970 vs. $25,116)
  • University of Northern Colorado graduates are paying $32 less per month on federal student loans than South Dakota State University graduates. ($227 vs. $259)
  • More South Dakota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Northern Colorado students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 62%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/