South Dakota State University (SDSU) vs Montana U
South Dakota State University and The University of Montana, both public institutions with rich histories, offer distinct educational experiences. South Dakota State University, located in Brookings, South Dakota, is known for its strong agricultural and engineering programs, while The University of Montana, nestled in Missoula, Montana, excels in liberal arts and environmental studies. With acceptance rates of 88% and 82%, respectively, both universities welcome a diverse student body. While South Dakota State University boasts a higher graduation rate of 63%, The University of Montana offers a more intimate learning environment with a smaller student-to-faculty ratio. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details, including popular majors, student demographics, and additional factors that may influence your choice between these two esteemed institutions.
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![]() South Dakota State University |
![]() The University of Montana |
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Overview |
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Location | Brookings, South Dakota | Missoula, Montana |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | City: Small |
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 | 80.0% | 75.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 87.4% | 82.1% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
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Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$60
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SAT range | 980 - 1220 | 1070 - 1280 |
ACT range | 19 - 25 | 18 - 26 |
Students submitting SAT score | 3.0% | 9.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 86.0% | 41.0% |
Total number of applicants | 5,774 | 7,233 |
Total number of admissions given out | 5,048 | 5,941 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,019 | 1,542 |
Yield rate | 40.0% | 26.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$24,304
Out of state:
$27,814
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In state:
$23,736
Out of state:
$44,720
|
Average net price | $17,859 | $15,228 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,773
Out of state:
$11,283
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In state:
$5,352
Out of state:
$26,112
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,054
Meal plan:
$4,082
|
Room/dormitory:
$4,730
Meal plan:
$6,324
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
81.0%
Average amount $4,747 |
97.0%
Average amount $6,340 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
60.0%
Average amount $5,063 |
44.0%
Average amount $5,401 |
Students taking out private loans |
17.0%
Average amount $9,956 |
4.0%
Average amount $13,104 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
9,847
Men 45.2% Women 54.8% |
7,223
Men 41.9% Women 58.1% |
Graduate students |
1,618
Men 37.3% Women 62.7% |
2,883
Men 37.0% Women 63.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 5.1% | 1.9% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 4,488 | 2,886 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 17:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 59.5% | 47.7% |
Dropout rate | 38.9% | 49.1% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (First Professional Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Plant Sciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
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