University of St Thomas vs. USD

Comparable Facts

Compare University of St Thomas in Saint Paul, MN 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 St Thomas based on total student enrollment (10,619 students vs. 9,410 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of St Thomas is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); University of South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• University of St Thomas 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 St Thomas 14:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

University of St Thomas vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of St Thomas 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 St Thomas ($19,133 vs. $31,250).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 30.8% lower than at University of St Thomas ($10,356 vs. $14,969).
• University of St Thomas is 476.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $44,966 more per year; $54,398.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 320.3% higher at University of St Thomas than at University of South Dakota (about $41,456 more per year; $54,398.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of St Thomas than at University of South Dakota (95% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of St Thomas students is 532.9% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($35,587 vs. $5,623).

University of St Thomas vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of St Thomas 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 University of St Thomas.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of St Thomas (1340) is 120 points higher than at USD (1220).
• Incoming University of St Thomas students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at USD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of St Thomas 1260/1423; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of St Thomas 25/30; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of St Thomas - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of St Thomas Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of St Thomas 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 University of St Thomas (85.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.8% at University of St Thomas vs. 24.1% at USD.

University of St Thomas vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of St Thomas 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 St Thomas's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than University of South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from University of St Thomas earn a median of about $13,800 more per year than USD graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $48,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Dakota graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than University of St Thomas graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, USD graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of St Thomas graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More University of St Thomas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.