K-State vs South Dakota State University (SDSU)

Kansas State University and South Dakota State University, both public research universities, offer distinct educational experiences. Kansas State, located in Manhattan, Kansas, boasts a higher acceptance rate (84%) compared to South Dakota State's 80%. Kansas State's student body is more diverse, with international students comprising 10% of the population, while South Dakota State's international student population is 3%. Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate programs, with popular majors including engineering, business, and agriculture. However, Kansas State has a higher graduation rate (68%) than South Dakota State (63%). To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these two universities. Explore the table to find the institution that best aligns with your academic goals and preferences.
Kansas State University logo

Kansas State University

South Dakota State University logo

South Dakota State University

Overview

Location Manhattan, Kansas 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 86.0% 80.0%
Common app member Yes No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 95.6% 87.4%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $40

Graduate: $65
Undergraduate: $20

Graduate: $35
SAT range N/A 980 - 1220
ACT range N/A 19 - 25
Students submitting SAT score 3.0%
Students submitting ACT score 86.0%
Total number of applicants 9,822 5,774
Total number of admissions given out 9,391 5,048
Admitted students who chose to enroll 2,848 2,019
Yield rate 30.3% 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) Not required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $23,866

Out of state: $39,937
In state: $24,304

Out of state: $27,814
Average net price $19,874 $17,859
Tuition
In state: $9,489

Out of state: $25,560
In state: $7,773

Out of state: $11,283
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $5,200

Meal plan: $4,900
Room/dormitory: $4,054

Meal plan: $4,082
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

88.0%
Average amount $6,774
81.0%
Average amount $4,747
Students receiving federal student loan 41.0%
Average amount $5,095
60.0%
Average amount $5,063
Students taking out private loans 5.0%
Average amount $14,579
17.0%
Average amount $9,956

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 15,619
Men 50.3% Women 49.7%
9,847
Men 45.2% Women 54.8%
Graduate students 4,610
Men 38.7% Women 61.3%
1,618
Men 37.3% Women 62.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Very Low
Very Low
Out-of-state students 21.8% N/A
International students 5.4% 5.1%
Campus local/setting City: Small Town: Remote
Dormitory capacity 5,696 4,488
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Kansas Missouri Texas Nebraska Colorado N/A

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Education
  • Business
  • Agriculture
  • Engineering
  • Multidisciplinary Studies
  • Health Professions
  • Engineering
  • Family and Consumer Sciences
  • Education
  • Agriculture
Students to faculty ratio 19:1 17:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 68.4% 59.5%
Dropout rate 9.3% 38.9%
Transferred out 20.4% N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Food Science and Technology (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $75,367
  • Year 2: $76,460
  • Year 3: $83,284
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $68,831
  • Year 2: $71,734
  • Year 3: $83,247
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $43,832
  • Year 2: $68,219
  • Year 3: $82,805
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $71,780
  • Year 2: $70,456
  • Year 3: $81,885
Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $72,427
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: $80,450
Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,948
  • Year 2: $62,012
  • Year 3: $79,928
Architectural Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $68,390
  • Year 2: $65,557
  • Year 3: $75,955
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,670
  • Year 2: $65,131
  • Year 3: $73,437
Agricultural and Food Products Processing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $66,969
  • Year 2: $63,749
  • Year 3: $69,822
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,353
  • Year 2: $59,124
  • Year 3: $65,198
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $110,688
  • Year 2: $117,014
  • Year 3: $126,250
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $92,277
  • Year 3: $114,802
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $53,967
  • Year 2: $74,845
  • Year 3: $81,032
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $60,229
  • Year 2: $61,322
  • Year 3: $70,114
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,268
  • Year 2: $59,124
  • Year 3: $62,932
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $54,985
  • Year 2: $56,234
  • Year 3: $61,104
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,372
  • Year 2: $57,860
  • Year 3: $60,463
Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $57,551
  • Year 2: $56,776
  • Year 3: $59,988
Plant Sciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $50,213
  • Year 2: $55,151
  • Year 3: $55,715
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $43,798
  • Year 3: $54,439

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