Benedictine College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University

Comparable Facts

Compare Benedictine College in Atchison, KS with Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Benedictine College is larger than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (2,535 students vs. 892 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Benedictine College is located in Atchison, KS (Distant Town setting); Dakota Wesleyan University is in Mitchell, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Benedictine College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dakota Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Benedictine College 16:1; Dakota Wesleyan University 12:1.

Benedictine College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Benedictine College or Dakota Wesleyan University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dakota Wesleyan University than Benedictine College ($22,990 vs. $28,629).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 39.7% lower than at Benedictine College ($8,100 vs. $13,430).
• Benedictine College is 7.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota Wesleyan University (about $2,560 more per year; $36,350.00 vs. $33,790.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.6% higher at Benedictine College than at Dakota Wesleyan University (about $2,560 more per year; $36,350.00 vs. $33,790.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Benedictine College as at Dakota Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Benedictine College students is 12.5% larger than aid received by Dakota Wesleyan University students ($23,527 vs. $20,910).

Benedictine College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Benedictine College or Dakota Wesleyan University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Dakota Wesleyan University and Benedictine College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Benedictine College (1260) is 70 points higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (1190).
• Incoming Benedictine College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at Dakota Wesleyan University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Benedictine College 1140/1380; Dakota Wesleyan University 950/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Benedictine College 22/29; Dakota Wesleyan University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Benedictine College - Test optional; Dakota Wesleyan University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dakota Wesleyan University Aug 27, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Benedictine College students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36).
• Benedictine College has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Dakota Wesleyan University (73.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.9% at Benedictine College vs. 21% at Dakota Wesleyan University.

Benedictine College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Benedictine College and Dakota Wesleyan University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Benedictine College's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University's (43%).
• Graduates from Benedictine College earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dakota Wesleyan University graduates have a $467 lower median loan debt than Benedictine College graduates ($26,533 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Dakota Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Benedictine College graduates ($274 vs. $279).
• More Benedictine College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.