Colorado Mesa vs South Dakota State University (SDSU)
Colorado Mesa University and South Dakota State University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Colorado Mesa University, nestled in the heart of Grand Junction, Colorado, boasts a vibrant campus and a diverse student body. With an acceptance rate of 86%, it welcomes students from various backgrounds. South Dakota State University, located in Brookings, South Dakota, is renowned for its strong academic programs and research opportunities. It maintains a slightly lower acceptance rate of 80%, attracting students seeking a rigorous academic environment. While both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, Colorado Mesa University excels in fields like Business, Education, and Nursing, while South Dakota State University shines in Agriculture, Engineering, and Natural Sciences. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover more about these universities' unique offerings and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Colorado Mesa University |
![]() South Dakota State University |
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Overview |
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Location | Grand Junction, Colorado | Brookings, South Dakota |
Campus setting | City: Small | Town: Remote |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 72.0% | 80.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 80.2% | 87.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$50
|
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
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SAT range | 948 - 1200 | 980 - 1220 |
ACT range | 19 - 26 | 19 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 45.0% | 3.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 13.0% | 86.0% |
Total number of applicants | 8,082 | 5,774 |
Total number of admissions given out | 6,485 | 5,048 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,855 | 2,019 |
Yield rate | 28.6% | 40.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$22,148
Out of state:
$35,470
|
In state:
$24,304
Out of state:
$27,814
|
Average net price | $15,324 | $17,859 |
Tuition |
In state:
$8,020
Out of state:
$21,342
|
In state:
$7,773
Out of state:
$11,283
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,100
Meal plan:
$5,165
|
Room/dormitory:
$4,054
Meal plan:
$4,082
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
81.0%
Average amount $7,228 |
81.0%
Average amount $4,747 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
42.0%
Average amount $4,950 |
60.0%
Average amount $5,063 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $12,590 |
17.0%
Average amount $9,956 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
8,712
Men 45.9% Women 54.1% |
9,847
Men 45.2% Women 54.8% |
Graduate students |
195
Men 34.9% Women 65.1% |
1,618
Men 37.3% Women 62.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Very Low
|
Out-of-state students | 16.8% | N/A |
International students | 1.1% | 5.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Town: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 2,661 | 4,488 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Colorado California Texas Washington Utah | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 18:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 38.1% | 59.5% |
Dropout rate | 31.0% | 38.9% |
Transferred out | 27.0% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Associate's Degrees)
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Associate's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Associate's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (First Professional Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Plant Sciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
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