South Dakota University vs Sam Houston State University (SHSU)
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 South Dakota (USD) and Sam Houston State University (SHSU). While both offer exceptional academic opportunities, they possess distinct characteristics that may influence your decision. USD, nestled in the vibrant city of Vermillion, boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a diverse student body from various backgrounds. SHSU, located in the historic town of Huntsville, Texas, stands out with its strong focus on undergraduate education and a rich tradition in athletics. Explore the comparison table below to delve into further details, such as popular majors, graduation rates, and additional factors that will help you determine which university aligns best with your aspirations and goals.
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![]() Sam Houston State University |
![]() University of South Dakota |
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Overview |
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Location | Huntsville, Texas | Vermillion, South Dakota |
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 | 73.0% | 77.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 96.6% | 87.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
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SAT range | 950 - 1120 | 1050 - 1290 |
ACT range | 18 - 23 | 19 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 57.0% | 3.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 16.0% | 80.0% |
Total number of applicants | 11,556 | 4,272 |
Total number of admissions given out | 11,161 | 3,717 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,908 | 1,233 |
Yield rate | 26.1% | 33.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$24,612
Out of state:
$34,404
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In state:
$25,657
Out of state:
$29,167
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Average net price | $14,287 | $18,974 |
Tuition |
In state:
$5,856
Out of state:
$15,648
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In state:
$7,773
Out of state:
$11,283
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,918
Meal plan:
$4,650
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Room/dormitory:
$4,366
Meal plan:
$4,234
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
70.0%
Average amount $9,492 |
84.0%
Average amount $5,196 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
52.0%
Average amount $5,618 |
60.0%
Average amount $5,102 |
Students taking out private loans |
0.0%
Average amount $14,496 |
14.0%
Average amount $9,890 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
18,288
Men 36.2% Women 63.8% |
6,987
Men 35.9% Women 64.1% |
Graduate students |
3,324
Men 31.7% Women 68.3% |
2,477
Men 37.2% Women 62.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 1.4% | 39.4% |
International students | 1.3% | 2.7% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 3,398 | 2,154 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Texas Florida California Arkansas Illinois | 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 | 20:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 57.3% | 60.1% |
Dropout rate | 16.2% | 14.2% |
Transferred out | 23.6% | 24.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Music (Master's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Master's Degrees)
Agricultural Mechanization (Bachelor's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Master'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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