Montana U vs South Dakota University
Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, The University of Montana (UM) and the University of South Dakota (USD) stand as two distinct beacons of higher education, each offering a unique blend of academic excellence and vibrant campus life. While both universities share a commitment to providing students with a transformative educational experience, they differ in several key aspects, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover the nuances that set these two institutions apart and make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() The University of Montana |
![]() University of South Dakota |
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Overview |
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Location | Missoula, Montana | 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% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 82.1% | 87.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$60
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Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
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SAT range | 1070 - 1280 | 1050 - 1290 |
ACT range | 18 - 26 | 19 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 9.0% | 3.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 41.0% | 80.0% |
Total number of applicants | 7,233 | 4,272 |
Total number of admissions given out | 5,941 | 3,717 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,542 | 1,233 |
Yield rate | 26.0% | 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 | Not 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:
$23,736
Out of state:
$44,720
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In state:
$25,657
Out of state:
$29,167
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Average net price | $15,228 | $18,974 |
Tuition |
In state:
$5,352
Out of state:
$26,112
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In state:
$7,773
Out of state:
$11,283
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,730
Meal plan:
$6,324
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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) |
97.0%
Average amount $6,340 |
84.0%
Average amount $5,196 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
44.0%
Average amount $5,401 |
60.0%
Average amount $5,102 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $13,104 |
14.0%
Average amount $9,890 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
7,223
Men 41.9% Women 58.1% |
6,987
Men 35.9% Women 64.1% |
Graduate students |
2,883
Men 37.0% Women 63.0% |
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 | 1.9% | 2.7% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 2,886 | 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 | 15:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 47.7% | 60.1% |
Dropout rate | 49.1% | 14.2% |
Transferred out | N/A | 24.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master'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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