USD vs. UW

Comparable Facts

Compare University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD with University of Wyoming in Laramie, WY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wyoming is larger than USD based on total student enrollment (10,813 students vs. 10,619 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Dakota is located in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting); University of Wyoming is in Laramie, WY (Remote Town setting).
• University of South Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wyoming is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Dakota 16:1; University of Wyoming 13:1.

USD vs. UW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USD or UW? 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 Wyoming than USD ($14,872 vs. $19,133).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 24.5% lower than at University of Wyoming ($10,356 vs. $13,710).
• University of South Dakota is 21.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW (about $1,664 more per year; $9,432.00 vs. $7,768.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 86.8% higher at UW than at University of South Dakota (about $11,236 more per year; $24,178.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wyoming than at University of South Dakota (90% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wyoming students is 81.6% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($10,212 vs. $5,623).

USD vs. UW Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Dakota (1220) is 80 points higher than at UW (1140).
• Incoming UW students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at USD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Dakota 1125/1315; University of Wyoming 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Dakota 19/25; University of Wyoming 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USD - Test optional; UW - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UW Aug 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UW students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at USD (3.43).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than UW (96.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at USD vs. 23.8% at UW.

USD vs. UW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USD and UW? 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 Wyoming's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than University of South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from University of Wyoming earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than USD graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,400 vs. $48,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wyoming graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($18,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UW graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($191 vs. $258).
• More UW 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.