Head-to-head · 2026
Augustana University vs South Dakota State University
Compare average net price ($23,894 at Augustana University; $19,841 at South Dakota State University), ROI score (6.20 vs 6.94), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($59,217 vs $55,070), and admissions selectivity (67.8% acceptance at Augustana University; 98.3% at South Dakota State University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Augustana University | South Dakota State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 6.20 | 6.94 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $23,894 | $19,841 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $95,576 | $79,364 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $40,160 | $9,299 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $40,160 | $12,809 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $59,217 ✓ | $55,070 |
| Acceptance rate | 67.8% | 98.3% |
| Graduation rate | 73% ✓ | 62.4% |
| Retention rate | 86.1% ✓ | 83.8% |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $23,250 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 1,965 | 9,198 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1195 | 1120 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Augustana University | South Dakota State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $18,746 | $14,266 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $18,895 | $15,248 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $17,937 ✓ | $18,073 |
| Family income $75–110k | $24,787 | $20,706 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $27,327 | $21,886 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Augustana University | South Dakota State University |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 9.8% | 15.4% |
| Biology, General | 6% | 3.8% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 8.7% | 0.8% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 6% | 2.2% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 4.4% | 1.9% |
| Psychology, General | 2.3% | 2.7% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 0.6% | 3.4% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 2.2% | 1.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
South Dakota State University reports the lower average net price by $4,053 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $16,212 difference over four years ($79,364 vs $95,576).
Augustana University reports $4,147 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($59,217 vs $55,070). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 86.1% at Augustana University and 83.8% at South Dakota State University. Median federal debt among completers is $25,000 vs $23,250, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Augustana University vs South Dakota State University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
South Dakota State University is cheaper — average net price $19,841 per year vs $23,894 at Augustana University. The annual difference of $4,053 adds up to about $16,212 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Augustana University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $59,217 vs $55,070 at South Dakota State University. The gap in the federal data is $4,147. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Augustana University is more selective at 67.8% acceptance vs 98.3% at South Dakota State University.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.