USD vs. Tennessee Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD with Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Dakota is larger than Tennessee Tech based on total student enrollment (10,619 students vs. 10,511 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Dakota is located in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting); Tennessee Technological University is in Cookeville, TN (Remote Town setting).
• University of South Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Dakota 16:1; Tennessee Technological University 16:1.

USD vs. Tennessee Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USD or Tennessee Tech? 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 Tennessee Technological University than USD ($15,336 vs. $19,133).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 22.1% lower than at Tennessee Technological University ($10,356 vs. $13,302).
• Tennessee Technological University is 20.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $1,944 more per year; $11,376.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.4% higher at Tennessee Tech than at University of South Dakota (about $2,634 more per year; $15,576.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tennessee Technological University than at University of South Dakota (95% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee Technological University students is 86% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($10,458 vs. $5,623).

USD vs. Tennessee Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USD or Tennessee Tech? 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 Tennessee Tech and USD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Dakota (1220) is 40 points higher than at Tennessee Tech (1180).
• Incoming Tennessee Tech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at USD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Dakota 1125/1315; Tennessee Technological University 1048/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Dakota 19/25; Tennessee Technological University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USD - Test optional; Tennessee Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tennessee Tech Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee Tech 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 Tennessee Tech (76.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at USD vs. 22.8% at Tennessee Tech.

USD vs. Tennessee Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USD and Tennessee Tech? 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).

• Tennessee Technological University's six-year graduation rate (50%) 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 Tennessee Tech graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,200 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee Technological University graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($16,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee Tech graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($165 vs. $258).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee Tech students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 61%)

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.