UNI vs. South Dakota State University

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

UNI South Dakota State University
Location Cedar Falls, IA Brookings, SD
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 8,945 11,327
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #414 #600
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uni.edu sdstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

UNI South Dakota State University
Tuition (In State) $8,111 $7,773
Tuition (Out of State) $19,265 $11,283
Room & Board $9,343 $8,087
Avg Net Price $15,782 $18,160
Avg Grant Aid $6,412 $4,551
% Receiving Grant Aid 83% 100%

Admission

UNI South Dakota State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,594 6,364
Admitted 4,362 5,478
Acceptance Rate 94.9% 86.1%
Enrolled % 32.9% 40%
Avg High School GPA 3.61 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/26 19/25
SAT Range 1020/1330 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

Academics

UNI South Dakota State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Agriculture (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Work and Family Studies (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

UNI South Dakota State University
Graduation Rate 67% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,700 $47,700
Making Student Loan Payments 72% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,625 $25,116
Median Loan Payment $213 $259

Diversity

UNI South Dakota State University
% Men 36% 44%
% Women 64% 56%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 83% 88%
% Black 3% 2%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 3% 0%

Students

UNI South Dakota State University
% In-State 91% 50%
% Out-of-State 8% 48%

Campus

UNI 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 UNI based on total student enrollment (11,327 students vs. 8,945 students)

UNI vs. South Dakota State University Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Northern Iowa is 4.3% more expensive to attend than South Dakota State University for in-state tuition ($8,111.00 vs. $7,773.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 70.7% higher at UNI than South Dakota State University ($19,265.00 vs. $11,283.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Northern Iowa than South Dakota State University ($15,782 vs. $18,160)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 15.5% lower than costs at University of Northern Iowa ($8,087 vs. $9,343)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at South Dakota State University than University of Northern Iowa (100% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Iowa students is 40.9% larger than aid received South Dakota State University ($6,412 vs. $4,551)

UNI vs. South Dakota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNI 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 UNI .

  • The average SAT score at South Dakota State University (1068) is 18 points higher than at UNI (1050)
  • Incoming UNI students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at South Dakota State University (23)
  • Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at South Dakota State University (3.53)
  • UNI has a higher acceptance rate (94.9%) than South Dakota State University (86.1%)

UNI vs. South Dakota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, UNI 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 UNI.

  • The graduation rate at UNI is higher than South Dakota State University (67% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates of University of Northern Iowa and South Dakota State University have equivalent average earnings after ten years ($47,700 vs. $47,700)
  • University of Northern Iowa students graduate with a $4,491 lower median federal student loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates. ($20,625 vs. $25,116)
  • UNI graduates are paying $46 less per month on federal student loans than South Dakota State University graduates. ($213 vs. $259)
  • More South Dakota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNI students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 72%)

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