Dakota State vs. Western Washington University

Comparable Facts

Compare Dakota State University in Madison, SD with Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Washington University is larger than Dakota State based on total student enrollment (14,710 students vs. 3,774 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dakota State University is located in Madison, SD (Distant Town setting); Western Washington University is in Bellingham, WA (Small City setting).
• Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dakota State University 18:1; Western Washington University 18:1.

Dakota State vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dakota State or Western Washington 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 State University than Western Washington University ($20,438 vs. $24,338).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 38.1% lower than at Western Washington University ($9,742 vs. $15,747).
• Dakota State University is 0.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Washington University (about $72 more per year; $9,654.00 vs. $9,582.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 125% higher at Western Washington University than at Dakota State University (about $15,951 more per year; $28,707.00 vs. $12,756.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Washington University than at Dakota State University (93% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Washington University students is 28.5% larger than aid received by Dakota State University students ($6,902 vs. $5,371).

Dakota State vs. Western Washington University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dakota State or Western Washington 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 Western Washington University and Dakota State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dakota State University (1320) is 50 points higher than at Western Washington University (1270).
• Incoming Western Washington University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at Dakota State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dakota State University 1190/1440; Western Washington University 1150/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dakota State University 20/27; Western Washington University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dakota State - Test optional; Western Washington University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Western Washington University Jan 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Western Washington University students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Dakota State (3.33).
• Western Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (93.2%) than Dakota State (88%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18% at Dakota State vs. 22.9% at Western Washington University.

Dakota State vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dakota State and Western Washington 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).

• Western Washington University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Dakota State University's (34%).
• Graduates from Western Washington University earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than Dakota State graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have a $4,087 lower median loan debt than Dakota State graduates ($19,413 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dakota State graduates ($200 vs. $242).
• More Western Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota State students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 67%)

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.