Wartburg College vs. South Dakota State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Wartburg College in Waverly, IA with South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

South Dakota State University is larger than Wartburg College based on total student enrollment (12,056 students vs. 1,483 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wartburg College is located in Waverly, IA (Distant Town setting); South Dakota State University is in Brookings, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Wartburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. South Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wartburg College 13:1; South Dakota State University 17:1.

Wartburg College vs. South Dakota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wartburg College or South Dakota State University? 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 South Dakota State University than Wartburg College ($19,932 vs. $24,031).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 13.4% lower than at Wartburg College ($10,176 vs. $11,750).
• Wartburg College is 182.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Dakota State University (about $16,951 more per year; $26,250.00 vs. $9,299.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 104.9% higher at Wartburg College than at South Dakota State University (about $13,441 more per year; $26,250.00 vs. $12,809.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wartburg College than at South Dakota State University (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wartburg College students is 801.6% larger than aid received by South Dakota State University students ($40,336 vs. $4,474).

Wartburg College vs. South Dakota State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wartburg College or South Dakota State University? 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 South Dakota State University and Wartburg College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at South Dakota State University (1150) is 80 points higher than at Wartburg College (1070).
• Incoming Wartburg College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at South Dakota State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wartburg College 930/1200; South Dakota State University 1060/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wartburg College 21/27; South Dakota State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wartburg College - Test optional; South Dakota State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman South Dakota State University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Wartburg College (3.48).
• South Dakota State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.3%) than Wartburg College (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.6% at Wartburg College vs. 34.1% at South Dakota State University.

Wartburg College vs. South Dakota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wartburg College and South Dakota State University? 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).

• Wartburg College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than South Dakota State University's (60%).
• Graduates from Wartburg College earn a median of about $400 more per year than South Dakota State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,100 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, South Dakota State University graduates have a $1,884 lower median loan debt than Wartburg College graduates ($25,116 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, South Dakota State University graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wartburg College graduates ($259 vs. $279).
• More Wartburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Dakota State University students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 77%)

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.