UA Huntsville vs. Dakota State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Alabama in Huntsville in Huntsville, AL with Dakota State University in Madison, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Alabama in Huntsville is larger than Dakota State based on total student enrollment (8,564 students vs. 3,774 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Alabama in Huntsville is located in Huntsville, AL (Midsize City setting); Dakota State University is in Madison, SD (Distant Town setting).
• University of Alabama in Huntsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Alabama in Huntsville 17:1; Dakota State University 18:1.

UA Huntsville vs. Dakota State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UA Huntsville 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 University of Alabama in Huntsville than Dakota State ($19,396 vs. $20,438).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 21.6% lower than at University of Alabama in Huntsville ($9,742 vs. $12,428).
• University of Alabama in Huntsville is 25.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota State (about $2,478 more per year; $12,132.00 vs. $9,654.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 107% higher at UA Huntsville than at Dakota State University (about $13,652 more per year; $26,408.00 vs. $12,756.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Alabama in Huntsville than at Dakota State University (95% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Alabama in Huntsville students is 72.6% larger than aid received by Dakota State University students ($9,268 vs. $5,371).

UA Huntsville vs. Dakota State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UA Huntsville 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 UA Huntsville.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dakota State University (1320) is 10 points higher than at UA Huntsville (1310).
• Incoming UA Huntsville students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at Dakota State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama in Huntsville 1210/1410; Dakota State University 1190/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama in Huntsville 24/31; Dakota State University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UA Huntsville - Test optional; Dakota State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UA Huntsville students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Dakota State (3.33).
• Dakota State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than UA Huntsville (68.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.2% at UA Huntsville vs. 18% at Dakota State.

UA Huntsville vs. Dakota State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UA Huntsville 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).

• University of Alabama in Huntsville's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Dakota State University's (34%).
• Graduates from University of Alabama in Huntsville earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than Dakota State graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,500 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dakota State University and UA Huntsville graduates have the same median loan debt ($23,500 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Dakota State University and UA Huntsville graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($242 vs. $242).
• More Dakota State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UA Huntsville students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 55%)

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.