University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) vs South Dakota State University (SDSU)
Nestled in the heart of the Midwest, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and South Dakota State University (SDSU) stand as two prominent institutions of higher learning, each offering a unique educational experience. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they differ in several key aspects, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. This side-by-side comparison delves into these differences, providing prospective students with valuable insights to help them make informed decisions about their academic journey. Whether you're drawn to UNL's vibrant college town atmosphere or SDSU's focus on agricultural sciences, this comprehensive analysis will guide you towards the university that best aligns with your aspirations and goals.
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![]() South Dakota State University |
![]() University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
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Overview |
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Location | Brookings, South Dakota | Lincoln, Nebraska |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | City: Large |
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 | 80.0% | 80.0% |
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No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 87.4% | 81.1% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
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Undergraduate:
$45
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | 980 - 1220 | 1090 - 1320 |
ACT range | 19 - 25 | 22 - 28 |
Students submitting SAT score | 3.0% | 8.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 86.0% | 85.0% |
Total number of applicants | 5,774 | 17,775 |
Total number of admissions given out | 5,048 | 14,411 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,019 | 4,736 |
Yield rate | 40.0% | 32.9% |
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:
$24,304
Out of state:
$27,814
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In state:
$26,316
Out of state:
$43,446
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Average net price | $17,859 | $18,403 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,773
Out of state:
$11,283
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In state:
$7,770
Out of state:
$24,900
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,054
Meal plan:
$4,082
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Room/dormitory:
$7,485
Meal plan:
$4,653
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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 |
96.0%
Average amount $8,608 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
60.0%
Average amount $5,063 |
34.0%
Average amount $4,691 |
Students taking out private loans |
17.0%
Average amount $9,956 |
5.0%
Average amount $13,909 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
9,847
Men 45.2% Women 54.8% |
19,552
Men 50.5% Women 49.5% |
Graduate students |
1,618
Men 37.3% Women 62.7% |
4,879
Men 49.2% Women 50.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 25.7% |
International students | 5.1% | 7.4% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 4,488 | 6,936 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Nebraska Illinois Minnesota Kansas Iowa |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 17:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 59.5% | 66.4% |
Dropout rate | 38.9% | 10.7% |
Transferred out | N/A | 21.4% |
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 (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, Other (Doctoral Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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