South Dakota State University (SDSU) vs University of Mary (UMary)
South Dakota State University (SDSU) and University of Mary (UMary) are two distinct institutions of higher learning, each offering unique opportunities and experiences to their students. SDSU, a public research university, boasts a higher acceptance rate (88%) compared to UMary's more selective admissions process (75%). Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with SDSU excelling in fields like agriculture, engineering, and nursing, while UMary is known for its strengths in business, education, and healthcare. While SDSU's student body is predominantly white (78%), UMary's student population is more diverse, with a significant proportion of Native American students (22%). In terms of graduation rates, SDSU has a slightly higher four-year graduation rate (42%) compared to UMary's 38%. To help you make an informed decision about your higher education journey, we have compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these aspects and
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![]() South Dakota State University |
![]() University of Mary |
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Overview |
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Location | Brookings, South Dakota | Bismarck, North Dakota |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | Rural: Fringe |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 80.0% | 77.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 87.4% | 78.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
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Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$45
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SAT range | 980 - 1220 | N/A |
ACT range | 19 - 25 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 3.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 86.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 5,774 | 1,532 |
Total number of admissions given out | 5,048 | 1,207 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,019 | 510 |
Yield rate | 40.0% | 42.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | 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:
$24,304
Out of state:
$27,814
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$35,370 |
Average net price | $17,859 | $19,474 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,773
Out of state:
$11,283
|
$18,340 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,054
Meal plan:
$4,082
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Room/dormitory:
$3,690
Meal plan:
$4,300
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
81.0%
Average amount $4,747 |
100.0%
Average amount $11,954 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
60.0%
Average amount $5,063 |
65.0%
Average amount $5,176 |
Students taking out private loans |
17.0%
Average amount $9,956 |
20.0%
Average amount $10,222 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
9,847
Men 45.2% Women 54.8% |
2,579
Men 41.5% Women 58.5% |
Graduate students |
1,618
Men 37.3% Women 62.7% |
1,215
Men 30.4% Women 69.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Very Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 64.5% |
International students | 5.1% | 0.1% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | Rural: Fringe |
Dormitory capacity | 4,488 | 1,325 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | North Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin California Montana |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 17:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 59.5% | 64.3% |
Dropout rate | 38.9% | 31.5% |
Transferred out | N/A | 2.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
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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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
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