Dakota Wesleyan University vs. Lawrence

Should I go to Dakota Wesleyan University or Lawrence University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Dakota Wesleyan University or Lawrence 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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Dakota Wesleyan University vs. Lawrence University comparison
Dakota Wesleyan University Lawrence University College 3 College 4
Lawrence University
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Overview

Dakota Wesleyan University Lawrence
Location Mitchell, SD Appleton, WI
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 887 1,426
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #207
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website dwu.edu lawrence.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Dakota Wesleyan University Lawrence
Tuition (In State) $30,700 $53,667
Tuition (Out of State) $30,700 $53,667
Room & Board $7,450 $11,520
Avg Net Price $19,825 $26,368
Avg Grant Aid $21,097 $40,089
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Dakota Wesleyan University Lawrence
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,209 2,943
Admitted 904 2,127
Acceptance Rate 74.8% 72.3%
Enrolled % 18.6% 17.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.36 3.52
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 27/32
SAT Range 950/1420 1210/1460
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 27, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

Dakota Wesleyan University Lawrence
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 8:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (26%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Biology (12%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Foreign Languages (7%)

Outcomes

Dakota Wesleyan University Lawrence
Graduation Rate 43% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,200 $45,600
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 76%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,533 $27,350
Median Loan Payment $274 $282

Diversity

Dakota Wesleyan University Lawrence
% Men 46% 46%
% Women 54% 54%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 88% 70%
% Black 2% 3%
% Hispanic 3% 7%
% Native American 2% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 2% 10%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Dakota Wesleyan University Lawrence
% In-State 61% 22%
% Out-of-State 35% 68%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Lawrence University is larger than than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (1,426 students vs. 887 students)

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. Lawrence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dakota Wesleyan University or Lawrence?

  • Lawrence University is 74.8% more expensive to attend than Dakota Wesleyan University for in-state tuition ($53,667.00 vs. $30,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 74.8% higher at Lawrence than Dakota Wesleyan University ($53,667.00 vs. $30,700.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dakota Wesleyan University than Lawrence ($19,825 vs. $26,368)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 54.6% lower than costs at Lawrence University ($7,450 vs. $11,520)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Dakota Wesleyan University as Lawrence University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lawrence University students is 90% larger than aid received Dakota Wesleyan University ($40,089 vs. $21,097)

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. Lawrence Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Lawrence students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36)
  • Dakota Wesleyan University has a higher acceptance rate (74.8%) than Lawrence (72.3%)

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. Lawrence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Dakota Wesleyan University or Lawrence? 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 Lawrence and Dakota Wesleyan University.

  • The graduation rate at Lawrence is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University (77% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Lawrence University earn on average $7,400 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates after ten years. ($45,600 vs. $38,200)
  • Dakota Wesleyan University students graduate with a $817 lower median federal student loan debt than Lawrence graduates. ($26,533 vs. $27,350)
  • Dakota Wesleyan University graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than Lawrence graduates. ($274 vs. $282)
  • More Lawrence graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 71%)

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