South Dakota University vs CWU-Ellensburg
Envision yourself pursuing higher education at either the University of South Dakota (USD) or Central Washington University (CWU). While both institutions offer a wealth of opportunities, they possess distinct characteristics that may influence your decision. USD, located in Vermillion, South Dakota, boasts a higher acceptance rate, allowing more students to embark on their academic journeys. CWU, situated in Ellensburg, Washington, stands out with its diverse student body, fostering an inclusive and vibrant campus community. Explore the comparison table to delve into further details regarding acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates. Discover which university aligns best with your aspirations and preferences, setting the stage for a fulfilling and transformative educational experience.
|
![]() Central Washington University |
![]() University of South Dakota |
---|---|---|
Overview |
||
Location | Ellensburg, Washington | Vermillion, South Dakota |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | Town: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Quarter | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 69.0% | 77.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
|
||
Admission |
||
Acceptance rate | 88.4% | 87.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$75
|
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
|
SAT range | N/A | 1050 - 1290 |
ACT range | N/A | 19 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 3.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 80.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 10,767 | 4,272 |
Total number of admissions given out | 9,523 | 3,717 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,371 | 1,233 |
Yield rate | 14.4% | 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) | Not required | Not required |
|
||
Tuition and Fees |
||
Sticker price |
In state:
$22,248
Out of state:
$38,776
|
In state:
$25,657
Out of state:
$29,167
|
Average net price | $17,645 | $18,974 |
Tuition |
In state:
$6,656
Out of state:
$23,184
|
In state:
$7,773
Out of state:
$11,283
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,645
Meal plan:
$7,957
|
Room/dormitory:
$4,366
Meal plan:
$4,234
|
Available payment plans |
|
|
|
||
Financial Aid |
||
Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
80.0%
Average amount $7,378 |
84.0%
Average amount $5,196 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
41.0%
Average amount $4,834 |
60.0%
Average amount $5,102 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $14,197 |
14.0%
Average amount $9,890 |
|
||
Students and Campus |
||
Undergraduate students |
9,566
Men 47.0% Women 53.0% |
6,987
Men 35.9% Women 64.1% |
Graduate students |
610
Men 37.4% Women 62.6% |
2,477
Men 37.2% Women 62.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Very Low
|
Out-of-state students | 6.7% | 39.4% |
International students | 2.7% | 2.7% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 3,755 | 2,154 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Washington California Oregon Hawaii Arkansas | South Dakota Iowa Nebraska Minnesota Wisconsin |
|
||
Academics |
||
Popular study areas |
|
|
Students to faculty ratio | 15:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities | Higher Learning Commission |
|
||
Outcome |
||
Graduation rate | 53.6% | 60.1% |
Dropout rate | 44.0% | 14.2% |
Transferred out | N/A | 24.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Master's Degrees)
|
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)
|
Compare Similar Colleges
The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing
statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you
don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page.
There, you can search for the
specific colleges and initiate your comparison.















































































































































