UNI vs. USD

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Dakota is larger than UNI based on total student enrollment (10,619 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); University of South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• University of Northern Iowa 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 Northern Iowa 18:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

UNI vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI 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 Northern Iowa than USD ($16,437 vs. $19,133).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 3.6% lower than at University of South Dakota ($9,986 vs. $10,356).
• University of Northern Iowa is 5.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $504 more per year; $9,936.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.8% higher at UNI than at University of South Dakota (about $8,770 more per year; $21,712.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Iowa as at University of South Dakota (83% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Iowa students is 4.3% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($5,865 vs. $5,623).

UNI vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNI 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 UNI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Dakota (1220) is 70 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming UNI students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at USD (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at USD (3.43).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than UNI (92.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 24.1% at USD.

UNI vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI 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 Northern Iowa's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than University of South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from University of South Dakota earn a median of about $500 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,200 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $4,375 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($20,625 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($213 vs. $258).
• More UNI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.