Mankato State vs South Dakota University
Minnesota State University-Mankato and University of South Dakota, both esteemed public universities in the Midwest, offer distinct educational experiences. Minnesota State boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a more diverse student body, while University of South Dakota maintains a slightly smaller student population. Both universities excel in various academic disciplines, with Minnesota State excelling in business, education, and nursing, and University of South Dakota excelling in health sciences, engineering, and law. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these institutions' unique strengths, including graduation rates, tuition costs, and available student services, to determine which university best aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Minnesota State University-Mankato |
![]() University of South Dakota |
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Overview |
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Location | Mankato, Minnesota | Vermillion, South Dakota |
Campus setting | City: Small | 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 | 75.0% | 77.0% |
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No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 69.5% | 87.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$40
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Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
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SAT range | N/A | 1050 - 1290 |
ACT range | 19 - 25 | 19 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 3.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 54.0% | 80.0% |
Total number of applicants | 9,859 | 4,272 |
Total number of admissions given out | 6,850 | 3,717 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,113 | 1,233 |
Yield rate | 30.8% | 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 |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$20,558
Out of state:
$29,612
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In state:
$25,657
Out of state:
$29,167
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Average net price | $15,832 | $18,974 |
Tuition |
In state:
$8,072
Out of state:
$17,126
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In state:
$7,773
Out of state:
$11,283
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,443
Meal plan:
$2,755
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Room/dormitory:
$4,366
Meal plan:
$4,234
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
57.0%
Average amount $5,502 |
84.0%
Average amount $5,196 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
59.0%
Average amount $5,516 |
60.0%
Average amount $5,102 |
Students taking out private loans |
19.0%
Average amount $12,068 |
14.0%
Average amount $9,890 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
12,620
Men 45.3% Women 54.7% |
6,987
Men 35.9% Women 64.1% |
Graduate students |
1,956
Men 31.7% Women 68.3% |
2,477
Men 37.2% Women 62.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 39.4% |
International students | 8.7% | 2.7% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 2,789 | 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 |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 21:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 51.8% | 60.1% |
Dropout rate | 15.0% | 14.2% |
Transferred out | 31.7% | 24.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (First Professional Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
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