South Dakota State University (SDSU) vs Western Washington University (WWU)

South Dakota State University (SDSU) and Western Washington University (WWU) stand as distinct institutions of higher learning, each offering unique opportunities and experiences to their students. SDSU, located in Brookings, South Dakota, boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for prospective students. WWU, situated in Bellingham, Washington, attracts a more diverse student body, with a higher percentage of international students. While SDSU excels in agricultural sciences and engineering, WWU shines in liberal arts and education. Both universities offer a vibrant campus life, with active student organizations and NCAA Division I athletic programs. To help you make an informed decision about your academic journey, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key aspects of these two universities. Dive into the details and discover which institution aligns best with your aspirations and goals.
South Dakota State University logo

South Dakota State University

Western Washington University logo

Western Washington University

Overview

Location Brookings, South Dakota Bellingham, Washington
Campus setting Town: Remote City: Small
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Public
Calendar system Semester Quarter
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 80.0% 81.0%
Common app member No Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 87.4% 96.1%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $20

Graduate: $35
Undergraduate: $65

Graduate: $100
SAT range 980 - 1220 1090 - 1310
ACT range 19 - 25 22 - 29
Students submitting SAT score 3.0% 16.0%
Students submitting ACT score 86.0% 3.0%
Total number of applicants 5,774 10,580
Total number of admissions given out 5,048 10,167
Admitted students who chose to enroll 2,019 2,874
Yield rate 40.0% 28.3%
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

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $24,304

Out of state: $27,814
In state: $26,634

Out of state: $43,861
Average net price $17,859 $11,388
Tuition
In state: $7,773

Out of state: $11,283
In state: $7,572

Out of state: $24,799
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $4,054

Meal plan: $4,082
$13,079
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

81.0%
Average amount $4,747
82.0%
Average amount $7,112
Students receiving federal student loan 60.0%
Average amount $5,063
29.0%
Average amount $4,929
Students taking out private loans 17.0%
Average amount $9,956
3.0%
Average amount $15,435

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 9,847
Men 45.2% Women 54.8%
14,019
Men 42.6% Women 57.4%
Graduate students 1,618
Men 37.3% Women 62.7%
1,106
Men 36.4% Women 63.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Very Low
Low
Out-of-state students N/A N/A
International students 5.1% 1.0%
Campus local/setting Town: Remote City: Small
Dormitory capacity 4,488 3,985
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

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Engineering
  • Family and Consumer Sciences
  • Education
  • Agriculture
  • Education
  • Psychology
  • Business
  • Multidisciplinary Studies
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
Students to faculty ratio 17:1 17:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Outcome

Graduation rate 59.5% 67.7%
Dropout rate 38.9% 30.6%
Transferred out N/A N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $110,688
  • Year 2: $117,014
  • Year 3: $126,250
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $92,277
  • Year 3: $114,802
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $53,967
  • Year 2: $74,845
  • Year 3: $81,032
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $60,229
  • Year 2: $61,322
  • Year 3: $70,114
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,268
  • Year 2: $59,124
  • Year 3: $62,932
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $54,985
  • Year 2: $56,234
  • Year 3: $61,104
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,372
  • Year 2: $57,860
  • Year 3: $60,463
Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $57,551
  • Year 2: $56,776
  • Year 3: $59,988
Plant Sciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $50,213
  • Year 2: $55,151
  • Year 3: $55,715
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $43,798
  • Year 3: $54,439
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $69,837
  • Year 2: $81,333
  • Year 3: $92,019
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $71,492
  • Year 2: $76,460
  • Year 3: $78,577
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $60,314
  • Year 2: $63,005
  • Year 3: $76,877
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,624
  • Year 2: $57,318
  • Year 3: $71,599
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,592
  • Year 2: $60,920
  • Year 3: $64,540
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $60,325
  • Year 3: $64,302
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $46,243
  • Year 2: $49,572
  • Year 3: $60,999
Chemistry (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $34,788
  • Year 2: $37,748
  • Year 3: $58,090
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $39,818
  • Year 2: $46,087
  • Year 3: $57,268
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $41,065
  • Year 2: $45,696
  • Year 3: $57,167

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