South Dakota University vs Northern Arizona University (NAU)
Nestled in the heart of the Midwest, the University of South Dakota (USD) and Northern Arizona University (NAU) in the scenic Southwest offer distinct educational experiences. USD, with an acceptance rate of 86%, boasts a strong liberal arts foundation and popular majors in business, education, and nursing. NAU, with a slightly higher acceptance rate of 88%, excels in fields like engineering, forestry, and nursing. Both universities foster diverse student bodies, with USD's student population comprising 48% female and 52% male, and NAU's student body consisting of 53% female and 47% male. While USD takes pride in its 6-year graduation rate of 60%, NAU's 6-year graduation rate stands at 56%. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover more about these institutions and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Northern Arizona University |
![]() University of South Dakota |
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Overview |
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Location | Flagstaff, Arizona | 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 | 74.0% | 77.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 78.4% | 87.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$65
|
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 | 42,872 | 4,272 |
Total number of admissions given out | 33,592 | 3,717 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 5,297 | 1,233 |
Yield rate | 15.8% | 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:
$28,430
Out of state:
$43,176
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In state:
$25,657
Out of state:
$29,167
|
Average net price | $16,059 | $18,974 |
Tuition |
In state:
$10,650
Out of state:
$25,396
|
In state:
$7,773
Out of state:
$11,283
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,000
Meal plan:
$5,338
|
Room/dormitory:
$4,366
Meal plan:
$4,234
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
97.0%
Average amount $12,922 |
84.0%
Average amount $5,196 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
34.0%
Average amount $5,314 |
60.0%
Average amount $5,102 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $13,306 |
14.0%
Average amount $9,890 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
24,162
Men 37.0% Women 63.0% |
6,987
Men 35.9% Women 64.1% |
Graduate students |
4,549
Men 32.1% Women 67.9% |
2,477
Men 37.2% Women 62.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Very Low
|
Out-of-state students | 31.9% | 39.4% |
International students | 2.2% | 2.7% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 9,853 | 2,154 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Arizona California Colorado Nevada New Mexico | 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 | 21:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 59.0% | 60.1% |
Dropout rate | 40.0% | 14.2% |
Transferred out | N/A | 24.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor'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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