UL Lafayette vs. South Dakota State University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Lafayette, LA with South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette is larger than South Dakota State University based on total student enrollment (15,665 students vs. 12,056 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisiana at Lafayette is located in Lafayette, LA (Midsize City setting); South Dakota State University is in Brookings, SD (Remote Town setting).
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. South Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Louisiana at Lafayette 18:1; South Dakota State University 17:1.

UL Lafayette vs. South Dakota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UL Lafayette 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 University of Louisiana at Lafayette than South Dakota State University ($13,017 vs. $19,932).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 16% lower than at University of Louisiana at Lafayette ($10,176 vs. $12,108).
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette is 12% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Dakota State University (about $1,119 more per year; $10,418.00 vs. $9,299.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88.5% higher at UL Lafayette than at South Dakota State University (about $11,337 more per year; $24,146.00 vs. $12,809.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Dakota State University than at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (94% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisiana at Lafayette students is 162.9% larger than aid received by South Dakota State University students ($11,762 vs. $4,474).

UL Lafayette vs. South Dakota State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UL Lafayette 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 UL Lafayette.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (1180) is 30 points higher than at South Dakota State University (1150).
• Incoming UL Lafayette students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at South Dakota State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Lafayette 1120/1240; South Dakota State University 1060/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Lafayette 23/28; South Dakota State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UL Lafayette - Test optional; South Dakota State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman South Dakota State University students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at UL Lafayette (3.4).
• South Dakota State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.3%) than UL Lafayette (87%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.7% at UL Lafayette vs. 34.1% at South Dakota State University.

UL Lafayette vs. South Dakota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UL Lafayette 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).

• South Dakota State University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than University of Louisiana at Lafayette's (41%).
• Graduates from South Dakota State University earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than UL Lafayette graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $45,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduates have a $5,616 lower median loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates ($19,500 vs. $25,116).
• Among borrowers, UL Lafayette graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Dakota State University graduates ($201 vs. $259).
• More South Dakota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UL Lafayette students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.