UNI vs. South Dakota State University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA with South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

South Dakota State University is larger than UNI based on total student enrollment (12,056 students vs. 9,278 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting); South Dakota State University is in Brookings, SD (Remote Town setting).
• University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. South Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Iowa 18:1; South Dakota State University 17:1.

UNI vs. South Dakota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI or South Dakota State University? 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 Northern Iowa than South Dakota State University ($16,437 vs. $19,932).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 1.9% lower than at South Dakota State University ($9,986 vs. $10,176).
• University of Northern Iowa is 6.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Dakota State University (about $637 more per year; $9,936.00 vs. $9,299.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.5% higher at UNI than at South Dakota State University (about $8,903 more per year; $21,712.00 vs. $12,809.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Dakota State University than at University of Northern Iowa (94% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Iowa students is 31.1% larger than aid received by South Dakota State University students ($5,865 vs. $4,474).

UNI vs. South Dakota State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNI or South Dakota State University? 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 South Dakota State University and UNI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Iowa (1150) is the same as at South Dakota State University (1150).
• Incoming UNI students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at South Dakota State University (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280; South Dakota State University 1060/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; South Dakota State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; South Dakota State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at South Dakota State University (3.53).
• South Dakota State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.3%) than UNI (92.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 34.1% at South Dakota State University.

UNI vs. South Dakota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI and South Dakota State University? 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 Northern Iowa's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than South Dakota State University's (60%).
• Graduates of University of Northern Iowa and South Dakota State University have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $47,700), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $4,491 lower median loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates ($20,625 vs. $25,116).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Dakota State University graduates ($213 vs. $259).
• More South Dakota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNI students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 72%)

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.