University of Sioux Falls vs. USD

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Sioux Falls in Sioux Falls, SD 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 University of Sioux Falls based on total student enrollment (10,619 students vs. 1,450 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Sioux Falls is located in Sioux Falls, SD (Midsize City setting); University of South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• University of Sioux Falls is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Sioux Falls 18:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

University of Sioux Falls vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Sioux Falls 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 South Dakota than University of Sioux Falls ($19,133 vs. $21,385).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Sioux Falls are 10.5% lower than at University of South Dakota ($9,270 vs. $10,356).
• University of Sioux Falls is 130.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $12,318 more per year; $21,750.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.1% higher at University of Sioux Falls than at University of South Dakota (about $8,808 more per year; $21,750.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Sioux Falls than at University of South Dakota (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Sioux Falls students is 127.3% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($12,782 vs. $5,623).

University of Sioux Falls vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Sioux Falls or USD? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between USD and University of Sioux Falls.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresUniversity of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresUniversity of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Sioux Falls - Test-free; USD - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman University of Sioux Falls students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at USD (3.43).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than University of Sioux Falls (82.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at University of Sioux Falls vs. 24.1% at USD.

University of Sioux Falls vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Sioux Falls and USD? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Sioux Falls's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than University of South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from University of South Dakota earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than University of Sioux Falls graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,200 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Sioux Falls graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($22,750 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Sioux Falls graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($235 vs. $258).
• More University of Sioux Falls graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.