University of Minnesota-Crookston vs South Dakota State University (SDSU)

Envision yourself pursuing higher education at either the University of Minnesota-Crookston or South Dakota State University. While both institutions offer unique opportunities, they differ in several aspects. The University of Minnesota-Crookston, with an acceptance rate of 99%, welcomes a diverse student body, with 37% of its undergraduates identifying as minorities. In contrast, South Dakota State University, with a slightly lower acceptance rate of 90%, boasts a larger student population and a higher graduation rate of 62%. Explore the comparison table below to delve into further details, including popular majors, student-faculty ratios, and financial aid options, to determine which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	South Dakota State University	University of Minnesota-Crookston
Overview
Location	Brookings, South Dakota	Crookston, Minnesota
Campus setting	Town: Remote	Town: Distant
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate
Students retention rate	80.0%	70.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	87.4%	48.2%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $20 Graduate: $35	$30
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	1,196
Total number of admissions given out	5,048	576
Admitted students who chose to enroll	2,019	168
Yield rate	40.0%	29.2%
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	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $24,304 Out of state: $27,814	$25,086
Average net price	$17,859	$11,925
Tuition	In state: $7,773 Out of state: $11,283	$10,822
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $4,054 Meal plan: $4,082	Room/dormitory: $3,920 Meal plan: $4,536
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	81.0% Average amount $4,747	96.0% Average amount $11,136
Students receiving federal student loan	60.0% Average amount $5,063	50.0% Average amount $4,928
Students taking out private loans	17.0% Average amount $9,956	10.0% Average amount $8,867

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	9,847 Men 45.2% Women 54.8%	2,304 Men 42.4% Women 57.6%
Graduate students	1,618 Men 37.3% Women 62.7%	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Very Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	31.8%
International students	5.1%	2.4%
Campus local/setting	Town: Remote	Town: Distant
Dormitory capacity	4,488	560
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	Minnesota North Dakota Wisconsin Nebraska South Dakota

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Engineering Family and Consumer Sciences Education Agriculture	Business Health Professions Multidisciplinary Studies Education Natural Resources and Conservation
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	16:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	59.5%	56.0%
Dropout rate	38.9%	12.6%
Transferred out	N/A	30.9%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	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	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,238 Year 2: $56,776 Year 3: $60,382 Plant Sciences (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $49,078 Year 2: $44,830 Year 3: $54,917 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $53,619 Year 2: $48,198 Year 3: $49,391 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $42,682 Year 3: $48,033 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $47,740 Year 2: $46,869 Year 3: $47,905 Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $82,190 Year 2: $42,682 Year 3: $45,220 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $35,817 Year 2: $34,230 Year 3: $41,812 Animal Sciences (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,654 Year 2: $32,119 Year 3: $32,762 Agricultural Business and Management (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,763 Year 2: $50,856 Year 3: N/A Agricultural Mechanization (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $40,485 Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of Minnesota-Crookston (UMC) and South Dakota State University (SDSU)?

The University of Minnesota-Crookston (UMC) is a smaller, more personalized campus focused on hands-on learning and career-focused programs. South Dakota State University (SDSU) is a larger, comprehensive university offering a wider range of academic programs and research opportunities. UMC emphasizes experiential learning and close faculty interaction, while SDSU provides a broader university experience with more diverse student life and research facilities.
How do the campus sizes compare between UMC and SDSU?

UMC has a significantly smaller campus and student body compared to SDSU. This allows for smaller class sizes and more individualized attention from professors. SDSU, being a larger university, has a more expansive campus with a greater variety of facilities and resources, but class sizes may be larger, especially in introductory courses.
What types of academic programs are offered at each university?

UMC specializes in career-oriented programs such as agriculture, business, natural resources, and health sciences. SDSU offers a broader range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, including engineering, agriculture, arts and sciences, nursing, and pharmacy. If you're looking for a highly specialized, hands-on program, UMC might be a better fit. If you desire a wider selection of majors and research opportunities, SDSU is a strong choice.
How do the costs of attending UMC and SDSU compare?

Tuition and fees can vary depending on residency and program of study. Generally, UMC may have a lower overall cost of attendance due to its smaller size and potentially lower tuition rates. However, it's essential to check the most current tuition and fee schedules for both universities on their respective websites and consider factors like scholarships and financial aid opportunities, which can significantly impact the final cost.
What is student life like at UMC versus SDSU?

UMC offers a close-knit campus community with numerous clubs, organizations, and athletic teams. Student life is characterized by a strong sense of community and opportunities for leadership development. SDSU has a more diverse and vibrant student life scene with a wider array of clubs, organizations, fraternities, sororities, and recreational activities. SDSU also offers a more traditional 'big school' college experience with more on-campus events and activities.
What are the athletic programs like at UMC and SDSU?

UMC competes in NCAA Division II athletics, offering a variety of sports programs. SDSU competes in NCAA Division I athletics, providing a higher level of competition and a more prominent athletic presence. If you're looking to participate in or follow Division I sports, SDSU is the better option. If you prefer a smaller, more community-focused athletic environment, UMC might be a better fit.
What kind of career services and job placement assistance do UMC and SDSU offer?

Both UMC and SDSU offer career services to help students with internships, job searches, resume writing, and interview skills. UMC's career services are often tailored to its career-focused programs, providing strong connections to local and regional employers. SDSU's career services benefit from its larger alumni network and broader range of industry connections. Both universities strive to prepare students for successful careers after graduation.
How does the location of each university impact the student experience?

UMC is located in Crookston, Minnesota, a smaller town offering a more rural and close-knit community. SDSU is located in Brookings, South Dakota, a larger town with more amenities and a more diverse population. The location of UMC provides a quieter, more focused learning environment, while SDSU's location offers a wider range of social and cultural opportunities.
What are the research opportunities like at UMC and SDSU?

SDSU, as a larger research university, offers more extensive research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students across various disciplines. UMC, while focused on hands-on learning, may offer some research opportunities, particularly within its specialized programs. If research is a primary focus, SDSU is generally the stronger choice.
Which university is better for international students?

Both UMC and SDSU welcome international students and provide support services to help them adjust to campus life. SDSU, with its larger size and more diverse student body, may offer a wider range of resources and programs specifically tailored to international students. However, UMC's smaller size can also provide a more personalized and supportive environment for international students.

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