South Dakota University vs University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW)

Envision yourself pursuing higher education in either the vibrant plains of South Dakota or the coastal charm of North Carolina. The University of South Dakota (USD) and the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) offer distinct experiences for students seeking academic excellence. USD boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option, while UNCW's smaller student body fosters a close-knit community. Both universities excel in different areas of study, with USD excelling in health professions and UNCW in marine science. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these institutions' acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates. Whether you're drawn to the vast prairies or the allure of the sea, this comparison will guide you towards the university that best aligns with your aspirations.
University of North Carolina Wilmington logo

University of North Carolina Wilmington

University of South Dakota logo

University of South Dakota

Overview

Location Wilmington, North Carolina Vermillion, South Dakota
Campus setting City: Midsize 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 83.0% 77.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 68.0% 87.0%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $80

Graduate: $75
Undergraduate: $20

Graduate: $35
SAT range 1210 - 1330 1050 - 1290
ACT range 24 - 28 19 - 25
Students submitting SAT score 8.0% 3.0%
Students submitting ACT score 19.0% 80.0%
Total number of applicants 15,792 4,272
Total number of admissions given out 10,736 3,717
Admitted students who chose to enroll 2,435 1,233
Yield rate 22.7% 33.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Not required
Recommendation letters 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: $25,855

Out of state: $39,920
In state: $25,657

Out of state: $29,167
Average net price $18,792 $18,974
Tuition
In state: $4,443

Out of state: $18,508
In state: $7,773

Out of state: $11,283
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $6,926

Meal plan: $4,420
Room/dormitory: $4,366

Meal plan: $4,234
Available payment plans
  • Guaranteed tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

53.0%
Average amount $6,253
84.0%
Average amount $5,196
Students receiving federal student loan 47.0%
Average amount $5,258
60.0%
Average amount $5,102
Students taking out private loans 9.0%
Average amount $15,490
14.0%
Average amount $9,890

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 14,488
Men 35.0% Women 65.0%
6,987
Men 35.9% Women 64.1%
Graduate students 3,542
Men 28.2% Women 71.8%
2,477
Men 37.2% Women 62.8%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Very Low
Out-of-state students 17.4% 39.4%
International students 2.0% 2.7%
Campus local/setting City: Midsize Town: Distant
Dormitory capacity 5,562 2,154
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from North Carolina Maryland Pennsylvania Virginia New Jersey South Dakota Iowa Nebraska Minnesota Wisconsin

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Education
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Business
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Liberal Arts
Students to faculty ratio 16:1 14:1
Institutional accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 71.8% 60.1%
Dropout rate 6.5% 14.2%
Transferred out 20.7% 24.5%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $86,377
  • Year 2: $92,124
  • Year 3: $103,988
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $63,601
  • Year 2: $65,486
  • Year 3: $79,923
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $68,987
  • Year 2: $71,015
  • Year 3: $73,712
Fine and Studio Arts (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $59,073
  • Year 2: $60,957
  • Year 3: $73,607
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $54,368
  • Year 2: $64,493
  • Year 3: $72,729
Chemistry (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,551
  • Year 2: $55,108
  • Year 3: $65,524
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $63,331
  • Year 2: $59,253
  • Year 3: $63,301
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $45,853
  • Year 2: $46,478
  • Year 3: $58,788
Business/Managerial Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $55,512
  • Year 3: $55,086
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $39,700
  • Year 2: $43,201
  • Year 3: $54,656
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $110,722
  • Year 2: $100,951
  • Year 3: $109,099
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $88,473
  • Year 2: $97,071
  • Year 3: $100,634
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $78,587
  • Year 2: $68,778
  • Year 3: $81,751
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $70,456
  • Year 3: $69,478
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,040
  • Year 2: $62,012
  • Year 3: $68,456
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,011
  • Year 2: $57,860
  • Year 3: $68,011
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $62,632
  • Year 3: $64,788
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,801
  • Year 2: $65,170
  • Year 3: $64,105
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,161
  • Year 2: $62,260
  • Year 3: $63,921
Law (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $46,986
  • Year 2: $52,941
  • Year 3: $61,718

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