Dakota State vs. South Dakota State University

Should I go to Dakota State University or South Dakota State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Dakota State or South Dakota State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Dakota State University vs. South Dakota State University comparison
Dakota State University South Dakota State University College 3 College 4
Dakota State University South Dakota State University
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Overview

Dakota State South Dakota State University
Location Madison, SD Brookings, SD
Setting Distant Town Remote Town
Enrollment 3,241 11,327
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #808 #600
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website dsu.edu sdstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Dakota State South Dakota State University
Tuition (In State) $7,616 $7,773
Tuition (Out of State) $10,718 $11,283
Room & Board $8,018 $8,087
Avg Net Price $17,977 $18,160
Avg Grant Aid $5,467 $4,551
% Receiving Grant Aid 92% 100%

Admission

Dakota State South Dakota State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 882 6,364
Admitted 696 5,478
Acceptance Rate 78.9% 86.1%
Enrolled % 53.4% 40%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/27 19/25
SAT Range 940/1240 1020/1245
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Dakota State South Dakota State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Computer and Information Sciences (28%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (22%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (3%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Agriculture (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Work and Family Studies (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Dakota State South Dakota State University
Graduation Rate 34% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,200 $47,700
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,500 $25,116
Median Loan Payment $242 $259

Diversity

Dakota State South Dakota State University
% Men 64% 44%
% Women 36% 56%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 84% 88%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

Dakota State South Dakota State University
% In-State 58% 50%
% Out-of-State 39% 48%

Campus

Dakota State South Dakota State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • South Dakota State University is larger than than Dakota State based on total student enrollment (11,327 students vs. 3,241 students)

Dakota State vs. South Dakota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dakota State or South Dakota State University?

  • South Dakota State University is 2.1% more expensive to attend than Dakota State for in-state tuition ($7,773.00 vs. $7,616.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.3% higher at South Dakota State University than Dakota State University ($11,283.00 vs. $10,718.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dakota State University than South Dakota State University ($17,977 vs. $18,160)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 0.9% lower than costs at South Dakota State University ($8,018 vs. $8,087)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at South Dakota State University than Dakota State University (100% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Dakota State University students is 20.1% larger than aid received South Dakota State University ($5,467 vs. $4,551)

Dakota State vs. South Dakota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dakota State or South Dakota State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between South Dakota State University or Dakota State .

  • The average SAT score at South Dakota State University (1068) is 21 points higher than at Dakota State (1047)
  • Incoming Dakota State students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at South Dakota State University (23)
  • Accepted freshman South Dakota State University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Dakota State (3.33)
  • South Dakota State University has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than Dakota State (78.9%)

Dakota State vs. South Dakota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Dakota State or South Dakota State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between South Dakota State University and Dakota State.

  • The graduation rate at South Dakota State University is higher than Dakota State University (60% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from South Dakota State University earn on average $5,500 more per year than Dakota State graduates after ten years. ($47,700 vs. $42,200)
  • Dakota State University students graduate with a $1,616 lower median federal student loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates. ($23,500 vs. $25,116)
  • Dakota State graduates are paying $17 less per month on federal student loans than South Dakota State University graduates. ($242 vs. $259)
  • More South Dakota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota State students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 67%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/