Montana State University vs University of South Dakota
Odds, test scores, cost, aid and graduation rates, side by side from each school's own Common Data Set. Add more schools
Getting in
Cost and aid
Outcomes
Best value in each row is highlighted. Sticker price uses out-of-state tuition for public universities and leaves out books, travel and aid. "—" means the school left the item blank in its Common Data Set.
Montana State University or University of South Dakota?
Is Montana State University harder to get into than University of South Dakota?
They are about equally selective: Montana State University admitted 99.4% of first-year applicants (2025-26) and University of South Dakota admitted 98.8% (2024-25).
What SAT scores do Montana State University and University of South Dakota students have?
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1070–1290 at Montana State University and 1145–1260 at University of South Dakota.
Which is cheaper, Montana State University or University of South Dakota?
Before aid, University of South Dakota costs about $22,450 a year in tuition, fees, food and housing, against $48,013 at Montana State University (out-of-state tuition for public universities). The average need-based grant is $8,115 at Montana State University and $6,597 at University of South Dakota.
Does Montana State University or University of South Dakota have a higher graduation rate?
59.2% of Montana State University students graduate within six years, compared with 60.2% at University of South Dakota.

