MSU Billings vs South Dakota University
Montana State University Billings and the University of South Dakota are two distinct institutions of higher learning, each offering unique opportunities and experiences to their students. With acceptance rates of 99% and 88%, respectively, both universities welcome a diverse student body. MSU Billings boasts a smaller student population, fostering a close-knit community, while USD's larger size provides a more vibrant and bustling campus life. While both universities offer a wide range of academic programs, MSU Billings is known for its strong programs in business, education, and nursing, while USD excels in fields such as engineering, law, and medicine. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further distinctions between these two institutions, including graduation rates, student demographics, and popular majors, to determine which university best aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Montana State University Billings |
![]() University of South Dakota |
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Overview |
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Location | Billings, Montana | 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 | 57.0% | 77.0% |
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No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | Open Admission | 87.0% |
Application fees | $40 |
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 | 4,272 | |
Total number of admissions given out | 3,717 | |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,233 | |
Yield rate | 33.2% | |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | |
High school GPA | N/A | Not required |
Recommendation letters | N/A | Not required |
High school transcript | N/A | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | N/A | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$20,258
Out of state:
$33,588
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In state:
$25,657
Out of state:
$29,167
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Average net price | $12,626 | $18,974 |
Tuition |
In state:
$4,485
Out of state:
$17,678
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In state:
$7,773
Out of state:
$11,283
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,096
Meal plan:
$3,860
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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) |
85.0%
Average amount $5,151 |
84.0%
Average amount $5,196 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
42.0%
Average amount $4,398 |
60.0%
Average amount $5,102 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $10,623 |
14.0%
Average amount $9,890 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,728
Men 35.8% Women 64.2% |
6,987
Men 35.9% Women 64.1% |
Graduate students |
386
Men 23.6% Women 76.4% |
2,477
Men 37.2% Women 62.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 11.6% | 39.4% |
International students | 1.6% | 2.7% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 480 | 2,154 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Montana Washington California Wyoming Idaho | 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 | 15:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 28.1% | 60.1% |
Dropout rate | 41.6% | 14.2% |
Transferred out | 25.2% | 24.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (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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