Connecticut College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University

Should I go to Connecticut College or Dakota Wesleyan University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Connecticut College or Dakota Wesleyan University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Connecticut College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University comparison
Connecticut College Dakota Wesleyan University College 3 College 4
Connecticut College
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Overview

Connecticut College Dakota Wesleyan University
Location New London, CT Mitchell, SD
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 1,995 886
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #75
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website connecticutcollege.edu dwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Connecticut College Dakota Wesleyan University
Tuition (In State) $64,412 $31,700
Tuition (Out of State) $64,412 $31,700
Room & Board $17,885 $7,600
Avg Net Price $42,941 $21,901
Avg Grant Aid $39,354 $20,598
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Connecticut College Dakota Wesleyan University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,397 1,153
Admitted 3,597 839
Acceptance Rate 38.3% 72.8%
Enrolled % 15.4% 21.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.36
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Exceptional Average
Applicant Competition High Low
ACT Range 31/33 18/24
SAT Range 1340/1470 950/1420
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jan 1, 2026 Aug 27, 2026

Academics

Connecticut College Dakota Wesleyan University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (33%)
  • Biology (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Ethnic Studies (6%)
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

Connecticut College Dakota Wesleyan University
Graduation Rate 84% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $60,700 $38,200
Making Student Loan Payments 90% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,550 $26,533
Median Loan Payment $243 $274

Diversity

Connecticut College Dakota Wesleyan University
% Men 1% 7%
% Women 1% 6%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 71% 88%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 9% 3%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 6% 2%
% Unknown Race 3% 0%

Students

Connecticut College Dakota Wesleyan University
% In-State 12% 61%
% Out-of-State 83% 35%

Campus

Connecticut College Dakota Wesleyan University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Connecticut College is larger than than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (1,995 students vs. 886 students)

Connecticut College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Connecticut College or Dakota Wesleyan University?

  • Connecticut College is 103.2% more expensive to attend than Dakota Wesleyan University for in-state tuition ($64,412.00 vs. $31,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 103.2% higher at Connecticut College than Dakota Wesleyan University ($64,412.00 vs. $31,700.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dakota Wesleyan University than Connecticut College ($21,901 vs. $42,941)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 135.3% lower than costs at Connecticut College ($7,600 vs. $17,885)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Connecticut College as Dakota Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Connecticut College students is 91.1% larger than aid received Dakota Wesleyan University ($39,354 vs. $20,598)

Connecticut College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Connecticut College or Dakota Wesleyan University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Dakota Wesleyan University or Connecticut College .

  • Accepted freshman Connecticut College students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36)
  • Dakota Wesleyan University has a higher acceptance rate (72.8%) than Connecticut College (38.3%)

Connecticut College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Connecticut College or Dakota Wesleyan University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Dakota Wesleyan University and Connecticut College.

  • The graduation rate at Connecticut College is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University (84% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Connecticut College earn on average $22,500 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates after ten years. ($60,700 vs. $38,200)
  • Connecticut College students graduate with a $2,983 lower median federal student loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($23,550 vs. $26,533)
  • Connecticut College graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($243 vs. $274)
  • More Connecticut College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/