University of Southern Mississippi vs South Dakota State University

University of Southern Mississippi and South Dakota State University are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: South Dakota State University is more selective with a 98.7% acceptance rate compared to University of Southern Mississippi's 99.4%. Average SAT scores are 1120 and 1121 respectively.

Cost: University of Southern Mississippi offers a lower average net price at $14,224, which is $3,995 less than South Dakota State University ($18,219). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from South Dakota State University earn a median salary of $55,070 ten years after enrollment, which is $10,930 more than University of Southern Mississippi graduates ($44,140).

Graduation: South Dakota State University leads with a 59.5% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 70.5% vs 82.9%.

Campus Size: University of Southern Mississippi is the larger campus with 9,899 total students, while South Dakota State University has 8,798.

Bottom Line: University of Southern Mississippi wins on affordability while South Dakota State University leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.