University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) vs Dakota State
Nestled in the heart of Nebraska, the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) and Dakota State University (DSU) in Madison, South Dakota, stand as two distinct institutions of higher learning, each offering unique opportunities for students to pursue their academic aspirations. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they differ in several key aspects, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. This side-by-side comparison delves into these differences, providing valuable insights to help prospective students make informed decisions about their educational journey. Whether you're drawn to UNK's higher acceptance rate or DSU's focus on STEM fields, this comprehensive analysis empowers you to find the institution that best aligns with your academic goals and personal preferences.
|
![]() Dakota State University |
![]() University of Nebraska at Kearney |
---|---|---|
Overview |
||
Location | Madison, South Dakota | Kearney, Nebraska |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | 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 | 72.0% | 76.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
|
||
Admission |
||
Acceptance rate | 85.6% | 90.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
|
Undergraduate:
$45
Graduate:
$45
|
SAT range | 1000 - 1245 | 938 - 1133 |
ACT range | 19 - 26 | 18 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 11.0% | 4.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 80.0% | 86.0% |
Total number of applicants | 681 | 6,076 |
Total number of admissions given out | 583 | 5,488 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 366 | 958 |
Yield rate | 62.8% | 17.5% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not 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:
$24,073
Out of state:
$27,175
|
In state:
$24,300
Out of state:
$30,552
|
Average net price | $17,572 | $16,433 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,616
Out of state:
$10,718
|
In state:
$6,292
Out of state:
$12,498
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,116
Meal plan:
$3,308
|
Room/dormitory:
$5,436
Meal plan:
$5,192
|
Available payment plans |
|
|
|
||
Financial Aid |
||
Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
79.0%
Average amount $4,645 |
85.0%
Average amount $7,441 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
58.0%
Average amount $4,987 |
45.0%
Average amount $4,821 |
Students taking out private loans |
11.0%
Average amount $9,288 |
5.0%
Average amount $9,368 |
|
||
Students and Campus |
||
Undergraduate students |
2,751
Men 60.9% Women 39.1% |
4,427
Men 37.7% Women 62.3% |
Graduate students |
468
Men 74.8% Women 25.2% |
1,848
Men 30.2% Women 69.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Very Low
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | 9.9% |
International students | 4.5% | 4.2% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 925 | 2,072 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Nebraska Colorado Kansas Iowa Wyoming |
|
||
Academics |
||
Popular study areas |
|
|
Students to faculty ratio | 18:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
|
||
Outcome |
||
Graduation rate | 46.8% | 58.0% |
Dropout rate | 49.8% | 11.4% |
Transferred out | N/A | 28.0% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Software and Media Applications (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
|
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
Biology, General (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Master's Degrees)
Agricultural Business and Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
|
Compare Similar Colleges
The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing
statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you
don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page.
There, you can search for the
specific colleges and initiate your comparison.
















































































































































































