Nebraska vs. Dakota State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Nebraska Lincoln in Lincoln, NE with Dakota State University in Madison, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Nebraska Lincoln is larger than Dakota State based on total student enrollment (24,393 students vs. 3,774 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Nebraska Lincoln is located in Lincoln, NE (Large City setting); Dakota State University is in Madison, SD (Distant Town setting).
• University of Nebraska Lincoln 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 Nebraska Lincoln 17:1; Dakota State University 18:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 31% lower than at University of Nebraska Lincoln ($9,742 vs. $14,120).
• Out-of-state tuition is 124.1% higher at Nebraska than at Dakota State University (about $15,828 more per year; $28,584 vs. $12,756).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nebraska Lincoln than at Dakota State University (94% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Nebraska Lincoln students is 96.3% larger than aid received by Dakota State University students ($10,541 vs. $5,371).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Nebraska than at Dakota State (25 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Nebraska and Dakota State.
• Typical fall application deadline: Nebraska May 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Nebraska average a 3.63 high school GPA, 0.3 higher than at Dakota State (3.33).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.8% at Nebraska vs. 18% at Dakota State.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nebraska Lincoln graduates have a $1,800 lower median loan debt than Dakota State graduates ($21,700 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Nebraska graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dakota State graduates ($224 vs. $242).
• More Nebraska graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota State students, three years after graduation (73% vs. 67%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.