Missouri Southern vs. Dakota State

Comparable Facts

Compare Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, MO with Dakota State University in Madison, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Missouri Southern State University is larger than Dakota State based on total student enrollment (4,147 students vs. 3,774 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Missouri Southern State University is located in Joplin, MO (Small City setting); Dakota State University is in Madison, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Missouri Southern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Missouri Southern State University 15:1; Dakota State University 18:1.

Missouri Southern vs. Dakota State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Missouri Southern or Dakota State? 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 Missouri Southern State University than Dakota State ($11,626 vs. $20,438).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Missouri Southern State University are 6.4% lower than at Dakota State University ($9,119 vs. $9,742).
• Dakota State University is 7.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Missouri Southern (about $694 more per year; $9,654.00 vs. $8,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.9% higher at Missouri Southern than at Dakota State University (about $4,324 more per year; $17,080.00 vs. $12,756.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Missouri Southern State University than at Dakota State University (90% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Missouri Southern State University students is 41.4% larger than aid received by Dakota State University students ($7,597 vs. $5,371).

Missouri Southern vs. Dakota State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Missouri Southern or Dakota State? 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 Dakota State and Missouri Southern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dakota State University (1320) is 30 points higher than at Missouri Southern (1290).
• Incoming Dakota State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Missouri Southern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Missouri Southern State University 1150/1420; Dakota State University 1190/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Missouri Southern State University 17/24; Dakota State University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Missouri Southern - Test optional; Dakota State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Missouri Southern students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Dakota State (3.33).
• Missouri Southern has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Dakota State (88%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.5% at Missouri Southern vs. 18% at Dakota State.

Missouri Southern vs. Dakota State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Missouri Southern and Dakota State? 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).

• Dakota State University's six-year graduation rate (34%) is higher than Missouri Southern State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Dakota State University earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than Missouri Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $36,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Missouri Southern State University graduates have a $2,669 lower median loan debt than Dakota State graduates ($20,831 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Missouri Southern graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dakota State graduates ($215 vs. $242).
• More Dakota State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Missouri Southern students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 53%)

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.