C of I vs South Dakota State University (SDSU)
The College of Idaho and South Dakota State University, while both offering quality education, present distinct experiences for prospective students. The College of Idaho, a private liberal arts college, boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 68%, while South Dakota State University, a public research university, offers broader access with an acceptance rate of 88%. In terms of student body demographics, The College of Idaho's student population is predominantly White (87%) and female (58%), while South Dakota State University's student body is more diverse, with a larger proportion of male students (53%) and a more balanced racial makeup. Regarding academic offerings, The College of Idaho excels in liberal arts and sciences, with popular majors including Biology, Business Administration, and Psychology. South Dakota State University, on the other hand, offers a wider range of programs, including Agriculture, Engineering, and Nursing, among others. To further explore these differences and make an informed decision about which institution aligns
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![]() South Dakota State University |
![]() The College of Idaho |
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Overview |
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Location | Brookings, South Dakota | Caldwell, Idaho |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | Suburb: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | 4-1-4 |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 80.0% | 79.0% |
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No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 87.4% | 56.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
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SAT range | 980 - 1220 | 1080 - 1246 |
ACT range | 19 - 25 | 21 - 30 |
Students submitting SAT score | 3.0% | 53.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 86.0% | 18.0% |
Total number of applicants | 5,774 | 3,464 |
Total number of admissions given out | 5,048 | 1,950 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,019 | 296 |
Yield rate | 40.0% | 15.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | 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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$44,655 |
Average net price | $17,859 | $23,329 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,773
Out of state:
$11,283
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$33,000 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,054
Meal plan:
$4,082
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Room/dormitory:
$5,050
Meal plan:
$6,108
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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 $22,268 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
60.0%
Average amount $5,063 |
57.0%
Average amount $5,251 |
Students taking out private loans |
17.0%
Average amount $9,956 |
11.0%
Average amount $11,813 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
9,847
Men 45.2% Women 54.8% |
1,119
Men 49.2% Women 50.8% |
Graduate students |
1,618
Men 37.3% Women 62.7% |
26
Men 42.3% Women 57.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 33.7% |
International students | 5.1% | 18.2% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | Suburb: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 4,488 | 758 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Idaho California Washington Oregon Nevada |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 17:1 | 12:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 59.5% | 56.1% |
Dropout rate | 38.9% | 13.1% |
Transferred out | N/A | 30.8% |
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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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Social Sciences, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
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