Head-to-head · 2026
Augustana University vs University of South Dakota
Compare average net price ($23,894 at Augustana University; $19,858 at University of South Dakota), ROI score (6.20 vs 6.54), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($59,217 vs $51,926), and admissions selectivity (67.8% acceptance at Augustana University; 98.8% at University of South Dakota) 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 | University of South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 6.20 | 6.54 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $23,894 | $19,858 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $95,576 | $79,432 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $40,160 | $9,432 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $40,160 | $12,942 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $59,217 ✓ | $51,926 |
| Acceptance rate | 67.8% | 98.8% |
| Graduation rate | 73% ✓ | 59.9% |
| Retention rate | 86.1% ✓ | 79.3% |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $23,592 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 1,965 | 5,439 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1195 | 1125 |
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 | University of South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $18,746 | $14,921 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $18,895 | $15,942 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $17,937 ✓ | $18,540 |
| Family income $75–110k | $24,787 | $21,202 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $27,327 | $22,193 ✓ |
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 | University of South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 9.8% | 7.6% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 8.7% | 7.4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 6% | 5.2% |
| Biology, General | 6% | 4.2% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 4.4% | 3.8% |
| Special Education and Teaching | 5.4% | 1.6% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 2.2% | 3.8% |
| Psychology, General | 2.3% | 3.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of South Dakota reports the lower average net price by $4,036 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $16,144 difference over four years ($79,432 vs $95,576).
Augustana University reports $7,291 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($59,217 vs $51,926). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 86.1% at Augustana University and 79.3% at University of South Dakota. Median federal debt among completers is $25,000 vs $23,592, 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
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Augustana University vs University of South Dakota, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of South Dakota is cheaper — average net price $19,858 per year vs $23,894 at Augustana University. The annual difference of $4,036 adds up to about $16,144 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Augustana University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $59,217 vs $51,926 at University of South Dakota. The gap in the federal data is $7,291. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Augustana University is more selective at 67.8% acceptance vs 98.8% at University of South Dakota.
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.