Head-to-head · 2026
Dakota State University vs University of South Dakota
Compare average net price ($21,057 at Dakota State University; $19,858 at University of South Dakota), ROI score (6.05 vs 6.54), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($50,970 vs $51,926), and admissions selectivity (88.1% acceptance at Dakota State 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 | Dakota State University | University of South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 6.05 | 6.54 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $21,057 | $19,858 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $84,228 | $79,432 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $9,654 | $9,432 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $12,756 | $12,942 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $50,970 | $51,926 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 88.1% | 98.8% |
| Graduation rate | 51.3% | 59.9% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 75.5% | 79.3% ✓ |
| Median debt | $23,500 ✓ | $23,592 |
| Enrollment | 2,071 | 5,439 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1215 | 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 | Dakota State University | University of South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $17,317 | $14,921 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $18,792 | $15,942 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $19,165 | $18,540 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $22,601 | $21,202 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $23,269 | $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 | Dakota State University | University of South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 18.1% | 1.3% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 4.1% | 7.4% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 6.1% | 3.4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 3.2% | 5.2% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 3.2% | 3.8% |
| Special Education and Teaching | 3.8% | 1.6% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 0.5% | 3.8% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 2.6% | 0.9% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of South Dakota reports the lower average net price by $1,199 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $4,796 difference over four years ($79,432 vs $84,228).
University of South Dakota reports $956 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($51,926 vs $50,970). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 75.5% at Dakota State University and 79.3% at University of South Dakota. Median federal debt among completers is $23,500 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
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Frequently asked
Dakota State 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 $21,057 at Dakota State University. The annual difference of $1,199 adds up to about $4,796 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of South Dakota reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $51,926 vs $50,970 at Dakota State University. The gap in the federal data is $956. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Dakota State University is more selective at 88.1% 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.