University of Northern Iowa (UNI) vs South Dakota State University (SDSU)

Envision yourself as a student, embarking on a journey of higher education. As you navigate the vast landscape of universities, two prominent institutions emerge: the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) and South Dakota State University (SDSU). While both offer exceptional academic opportunities, they possess distinct characteristics that may influence your decision. UNI boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a broader range of students, while SDSU maintains a slightly more selective admissions process. Explore the comparison table to delve into the nuances of each university, including popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences, setting the stage for a transformative educational experience.
South Dakota State University logo

South Dakota State University

University of Northern Iowa logo

University of Northern Iowa

Overview

Location Brookings, South Dakota Cedar Falls, Iowa
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% 81.0%
Common app member No Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 87.4% 85.8%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $20

Graduate: $35
Undergraduate: $40

Graduate: $60
SAT range 980 - 1220 980 - 1190
ACT range 19 - 25 20 - 26
Students submitting SAT score 3.0% 3.0%
Students submitting ACT score 86.0% 66.0%
Total number of applicants 5,774 4,772
Total number of admissions given out 5,048 4,094
Admitted students who chose to enroll 2,019 1,553
Yield rate 40.0% 37.9%
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 Not required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $24,304

Out of state: $27,814
In state: $21,409

Out of state: $32,109
Average net price $17,859 $15,231
Tuition
In state: $7,773

Out of state: $11,283
In state: $7,780

Out of state: $18,480
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $4,054

Meal plan: $4,082
Room/dormitory: $4,699

Meal plan: $4,461
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

81.0%
Average amount $4,747
76.0%
Average amount $6,227
Students receiving federal student loan 60.0%
Average amount $5,063
47.0%
Average amount $5,115
Students taking out private loans 17.0%
Average amount $9,956
8.0%
Average amount $7,770

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 9,847
Men 45.2% Women 54.8%
7,967
Men 38.9% Women 61.1%
Graduate students 1,618
Men 37.3% Women 62.7%
1,250
Men 25.9% Women 74.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Very Low
Very Low
Out-of-state students N/A 9.5%
International students 5.1% 2.4%
Campus local/setting Town: Remote City: Small
Dormitory capacity 4,488 3,412
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from N/A Iowa Illinois Minnesota Wisconsin Missouri

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Engineering
  • Family and Consumer Sciences
  • Education
  • Agriculture
  • Education
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Social Sciences
  • Visual & Performing Arts
Students to faculty ratio 17:1 16:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 59.5% 68.9%
Dropout rate 38.9% 9.5%
Transferred out N/A 20.6%
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
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $60,668
  • Year 2: $60,771
  • Year 3: $72,923
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,120
  • Year 2: $60,399
  • Year 3: $71,051
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $63,778
  • Year 2: $68,666
  • Year 3: $70,112
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,521
  • Year 2: $63,997
  • Year 3: $65,647
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $54,320
  • Year 2: $58,673
  • Year 3: $65,408
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $57,657
  • Year 3: $63,798
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,695
  • Year 2: $52,908
  • Year 3: $60,640
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,123
  • Year 2: $49,752
  • Year 3: $57,498
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $54,675
  • Year 2: $55,151
  • Year 3: $57,318
Real Estate (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $51,372
  • Year 2: $45,221
  • Year 3: $57,298

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