UNK vs. South Dakota State University

Should I go to University of Nebraska at Kearney or South Dakota State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if UNK 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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University of Nebraska at Kearney vs. South Dakota State University comparison
University of Nebraska at Kearney South Dakota State University College 3 College 4
University of Nebraska at Kearney South Dakota State University
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Overview

UNK South Dakota State University
Location Kearney, NE Brookings, SD
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 6,041 11,327
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #571 #600
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unk.edu sdstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

UNK South Dakota State University
Tuition (In State) $6,220 $7,773
Tuition (Out of State) $12,036 $11,283
Room & Board $11,390 $8,087
Avg Net Price $16,564 $18,160
Avg Grant Aid $7,282 $4,551
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

UNK South Dakota State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,794 6,364
Admitted 5,842 5,478
Acceptance Rate 86% 86.1%
Enrolled % 14.8% 40%
Avg High School GPA 3.24 3.53
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 19/25
SAT Range 1000/1200 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 Aug 15, 2024

Academics

UNK South Dakota State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Agriculture (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Work and Family Studies (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

UNK South Dakota State University
Graduation Rate 61% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,400 $47,700
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,250 $25,116
Median Loan Payment $219 $259

Diversity

UNK South Dakota State University
% Men 34% 44%
% Women 66% 56%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 88%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 11% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 5% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

UNK South Dakota State University
% In-State 85% 50%
% Out-of-State 11% 48%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • South Dakota State University is larger than than UNK based on total student enrollment (11,327 students vs. 6,041 students)

UNK vs. South Dakota State University Cost Comparison

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

  • South Dakota State University is 25% more expensive to attend than UNK for in-state tuition ($7,773.00 vs. $6,220.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 6.7% higher at UNK than South Dakota State University ($12,036.00 vs. $11,283.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Nebraska at Kearney than South Dakota State University ($16,564 vs. $18,160)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 40.8% lower than costs at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($8,087 vs. $11,390)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at University of Nebraska at Kearney as South Dakota State University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Nebraska at Kearney students is 60% larger than aid received South Dakota State University ($7,282 vs. $4,551)

UNK vs. South Dakota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNK 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 UNK .

  • The average SAT score at South Dakota State University (1068) is 19 points higher than at UNK (1049)
  • Incoming UNK 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 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at UNK (3.24)
  • South Dakota State University has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than UNK (86%)

UNK vs. South Dakota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, UNK 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 UNK.

  • The graduation rate at UNK is higher than South Dakota State University (61% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from South Dakota State University earn on average $4,300 more per year than UNK graduates after ten years. ($47,700 vs. $43,400)
  • University of Nebraska at Kearney students graduate with a $3,866 lower median federal student loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates. ($21,250 vs. $25,116)
  • UNK graduates are paying $40 less per month on federal student loans than South Dakota State University graduates. ($219 vs. $259)
  • More South Dakota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNK students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 71%)

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