South Dakota University vs University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL)
Envision yourself pursuing higher education in either the vibrant plains of South Dakota or the spirited heart of Louisiana. The University of South Dakota (USD) and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL) offer distinct experiences for students seeking academic excellence. USD boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option, while ULL's smaller student body fosters a close-knit community. Both universities excel in various disciplines, with USD excelling in health professions and ULL shining in engineering and business. Explore the detailed comparison table to uncover more intriguing differences, including graduation rates, student demographics, and popular majors, to help you make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
![]() University of South Dakota |
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Overview |
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Location | Lafayette, Louisiana | Vermillion, South Dakota |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | 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 | 75.0% | 77.0% |
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No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 78.3% | 87.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$25
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Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
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SAT range | 1023 - 1198 | 1050 - 1290 |
ACT range | 19 - 24 | 19 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 4.0% | 3.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 96.0% | 80.0% |
Total number of applicants | 10,409 | 4,272 |
Total number of admissions given out | 8,155 | 3,717 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,693 | 1,233 |
Yield rate | 33.0% | 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:
$28,620
Out of state:
$42,348
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In state:
$25,657
Out of state:
$29,167
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Average net price | $11,818 | $18,974 |
Tuition |
In state:
$5,407
Out of state:
$19,135
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In state:
$7,773
Out of state:
$11,283
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,992
Meal plan:
$4,400
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Room/dormitory:
$4,366
Meal plan:
$4,234
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
98.0%
Average amount $10,698 |
84.0%
Average amount $5,196 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
45.0%
Average amount $5,080 |
60.0%
Average amount $5,102 |
Students taking out private loans |
3.0%
Average amount $12,066 |
14.0%
Average amount $9,890 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
13,700
Men 42.4% Women 57.6% |
6,987
Men 35.9% Women 64.1% |
Graduate students |
2,525
Men 44.1% Women 55.9% |
2,477
Men 37.2% Women 62.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 4.3% | 39.4% |
International students | 2.4% | 2.7% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 3,717 | 2,154 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Louisiana Texas Florida Alabama Arkansas | 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 | 19:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 50.1% | 60.1% |
Dropout rate | 44.5% | 14.2% |
Transferred out | N/A | 24.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor'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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