South Dakota University vs University of North Dakota (UND)
Nestled in the heart of the Great Plains, the University of South Dakota (USD) and the University of North Dakota (UND) stand as prominent institutions of higher learning, each offering a unique educational experience. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they differ in several key aspects. USD boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for prospective students. In contrast, UND has a slightly lower acceptance rate, indicating a more selective admissions process. When it comes to popular majors, USD excels in fields like nursing, education, and business, while UND shines in engineering, aviation, and medicine. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about these universities, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and more, to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() University of North Dakota |
![]() University of South Dakota |
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Overview |
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Location | Grand Forks, North Dakota | Vermillion, South Dakota |
Campus setting | City: Small | 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 | 77.0% | 77.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 89.0% | 87.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$35
Graduate:
$35
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Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
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SAT range | 1110 - 1290 | 1050 - 1290 |
ACT range | 20 - 26 | 19 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 6.0% | 3.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 59.0% | 80.0% |
Total number of applicants | 5,962 | 4,272 |
Total number of admissions given out | 5,308 | 3,717 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,755 | 1,233 |
Yield rate | 33.1% | 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:
$24,764
Out of state:
$29,205
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In state:
$25,657
Out of state:
$29,167
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Average net price | $17,425 | $18,974 |
Tuition |
In state:
$8,882
Out of state:
$13,323
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In state:
$7,773
Out of state:
$11,283
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,770
Meal plan:
$5,152
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Room/dormitory:
$4,366
Meal plan:
$4,234
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
83.0%
Average amount $5,576 |
84.0%
Average amount $5,196 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
55.0%
Average amount $5,142 |
60.0%
Average amount $5,102 |
Students taking out private loans |
24.0%
Average amount $15,124 |
14.0%
Average amount $9,890 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
9,718
Men 56.6% Women 43.4% |
6,987
Men 35.9% Women 64.1% |
Graduate students |
4,054
Men 36.4% Women 63.6% |
2,477
Men 37.2% Women 62.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 60.5% | 39.4% |
International students | 6.8% | 2.7% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 4,588 | 2,154 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | North Dakota Minnesota California Wisconsin 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 | 17:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 61.8% | 60.1% |
Dropout rate | 9.4% | 14.2% |
Transferred out | 26.4% | 24.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor'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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