Dakota Wesleyan University vs. Bennington

Comparable Facts

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

Bennington College is larger than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (927 students vs. 892 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dakota Wesleyan University is located in Mitchell, SD (Remote Town setting); Bennington College is in Bennington, VT (Rural Fringe setting).
• Dakota Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bennington College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dakota Wesleyan University 12:1; Bennington College 9:1.

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. Bennington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dakota Wesleyan University or Bennington? 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 Bennington ($22,990 vs. $34,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 57.6% lower than at Bennington College ($8,100 vs. $19,108).
• Bennington College is 96.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota Wesleyan University (about $32,472 more per year; $66,262.00 vs. $33,790.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 96.1% higher at Bennington than at Dakota Wesleyan University (about $32,472 more per year; $66,262.00 vs. $33,790.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Dakota Wesleyan University as at Bennington College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bennington College students is 153.8% larger than aid received by Dakota Wesleyan University students ($53,064 vs. $20,910).

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. Bennington Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dakota Wesleyan University or Bennington? 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 Bennington and Dakota Wesleyan University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bennington College (1350) is 160 points higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (1190).
• Incoming Bennington students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 21 at Dakota Wesleyan University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dakota Wesleyan University 950/1420; Bennington College 1291/1403.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dakota Wesleyan University 18/24; Bennington College 30/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dakota Wesleyan University - Test-free; Bennington - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dakota Wesleyan University Aug 27, 2027; Bennington Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bennington students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36).
• Dakota Wesleyan University has a higher acceptance rate (73.4%) than Bennington (44.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Dakota Wesleyan University vs. 11.5% at Bennington.

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. Bennington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dakota Wesleyan University and Bennington? 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).

• Bennington College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University's (43%).
• Graduates from Dakota Wesleyan University earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than Bennington graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,200 vs. $31,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bennington College graduates have a $533 lower median loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,533).
• Among borrowers, Bennington graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates ($268 vs. $274).
• More Bennington graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.