Dakota State vs South Dakota University

Dakota State University and University of South Dakota, both esteemed institutions in South Dakota, offer distinct educational experiences. Dakota State, known for its focus on technology and cyber security, boasts a higher acceptance rate and a smaller student body, fostering a close-knit community. In contrast, University of South Dakota, with its diverse academic offerings and NCAA Division I athletics, attracts a larger student population and offers a more comprehensive range of majors. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, their unique strengths and characteristics cater to different student preferences and aspirations. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover which university aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.
Dakota State University logo

Dakota State University

University of South Dakota logo

University of South Dakota

Overview

Location Madison, South Dakota Vermillion, South Dakota
Campus setting Town: Distant Town: Distant
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% 77.0%
Common app member No Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 85.6% 87.0%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $20

Graduate: $35
Undergraduate: $20

Graduate: $35
SAT range 1000 - 1245 1050 - 1290
ACT range 19 - 26 19 - 25
Students submitting SAT score 11.0% 3.0%
Students submitting ACT score 80.0% 80.0%
Total number of applicants 681 4,272
Total number of admissions given out 583 3,717
Admitted students who chose to enroll 366 1,233
Yield rate 62.8% 33.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Not required
Recommendation letters Not required Not required
High school transcript Required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Not required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $24,073

Out of state: $27,175
In state: $25,657

Out of state: $29,167
Average net price $17,572 $18,974
Tuition
In state: $7,616

Out of state: $10,718
In state: $7,773

Out of state: $11,283
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $4,116

Meal plan: $3,308
Room/dormitory: $4,366

Meal plan: $4,234
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

79.0%
Average amount $4,645
84.0%
Average amount $5,196
Students receiving federal student loan 58.0%
Average amount $4,987
60.0%
Average amount $5,102
Students taking out private loans 11.0%
Average amount $9,288
14.0%
Average amount $9,890

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 2,751
Men 60.9% Women 39.1%
6,987
Men 35.9% Women 64.1%
Graduate students 468
Men 74.8% Women 25.2%
2,477
Men 37.2% Women 62.8%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Very Low
Very Low
Out-of-state students N/A 39.4%
International students 4.5% 2.7%
Campus local/setting Town: Distant Town: Distant
Dormitory capacity 925 2,154
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from N/A South Dakota Iowa Nebraska Minnesota Wisconsin

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Education
  • Business
  • Liberal Arts
  • Health Professions
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Business
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Liberal Arts
Students to faculty ratio 18:1 14:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 46.8% 60.1%
Dropout rate 49.8% 14.2%
Transferred out N/A 24.5%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $49,983
  • Year 2: $51,035
  • Year 3: $66,125
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $37,841
  • Year 2: $39,369
  • Year 3: $46,318
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $50,973
  • Year 2: $55,964
  • Year 3: $44,718
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $41,205
  • Year 3: $44,370
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $42,682
  • Year 3: $43,878
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $39,153
  • Year 3: $38,114
Computer Software and Media Applications (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $25,986
  • Year 2: $28,598
  • Year 3: $31,143
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $91,122
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $42,967
  • Year 2: $55,964
  • Year 3: N/A
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $69,795
  • Year 2: $76,460
  • Year 3: N/A
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $110,722
  • Year 2: $100,951
  • Year 3: $109,099
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $88,473
  • Year 2: $97,071
  • Year 3: $100,634
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $78,587
  • Year 2: $68,778
  • Year 3: $81,751
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $70,456
  • Year 3: $69,478
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,040
  • Year 2: $62,012
  • Year 3: $68,456
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,011
  • Year 2: $57,860
  • Year 3: $68,011
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $62,632
  • Year 3: $64,788
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,801
  • Year 2: $65,170
  • Year 3: $64,105
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,161
  • Year 2: $62,260
  • Year 3: $63,921
Law (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $46,986
  • Year 2: $52,941
  • Year 3: $61,718

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