University of Saint Mary vs South Dakota State University (SDSU)
When it comes to higher education, University of Saint Mary and South Dakota State University stand out as two distinct institutions with unique offerings. With an acceptance rate of 85%, University of Saint Mary welcomes a diverse student body, fostering a close-knit community. In contrast, South Dakota State University boasts a higher acceptance rate of 90%, attracting a larger and more diverse student population. While both universities offer a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, University of Saint Mary excels in liberal arts and nursing, while South Dakota State University shines in agriculture, engineering, and business. With graduation rates of 58% and 63% respectively, both universities are committed to student success and ensuring their graduates are well-prepared for their chosen careers. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these two esteemed institutions and make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() South Dakota State University |
![]() University of Saint Mary |
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Overview |
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Location | Brookings, South Dakota | Leavenworth, Kansas |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | Town: 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% | 52.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 87.4% | 80.9% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
|
Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$25
|
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 | 1,805 |
Total number of admissions given out | 5,048 | 1,461 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,019 | 242 |
Yield rate | 40.0% | 16.6% |
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
|
$44,190 |
Average net price | $17,859 | $23,801 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,773
Out of state:
$11,283
|
$30,580 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,054
Meal plan:
$4,082
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Room/dormitory:
$4,325
Meal plan:
$4,390
|
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 |
99.0%
Average amount $19,936 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
60.0%
Average amount $5,063 |
96.0%
Average amount $5,064 |
Students taking out private loans |
17.0%
Average amount $9,956 |
11.0%
Average amount $11,369 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
9,847
Men 45.2% Women 54.8% |
858
Men 50.0% Women 50.0% |
Graduate students |
1,618
Men 37.3% Women 62.7% |
422
Men 36.0% Women 64.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 60.6% |
International students | 5.1% | 0.6% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | Town: Fringe |
Dormitory capacity | 4,488 | 360 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Kansas Missouri Texas California Colorado |
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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 | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 59.5% | 46.7% |
Dropout rate | 38.9% | 13.3% |
Transferred out | N/A | 40.0% |
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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Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Master's Degrees)
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