Dakota Wesleyan University vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD with Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern State University is larger than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (3,708 students vs. 892 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dakota Wesleyan University is located in Mitchell, SD (Remote Town setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Dakota Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dakota Wesleyan University 12:1; Northern State University 19:1.

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dakota Wesleyan University or NSU? 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 Northern State University than Dakota Wesleyan University ($15,990 vs. $22,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 23.6% lower than at Northern State University ($8,100 vs. $10,600).
• Dakota Wesleyan University is 282% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $24,945 more per year; $33,790.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 182.8% higher at Dakota Wesleyan University than at Northern State University (about $21,843 more per year; $33,790.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dakota Wesleyan University than at Northern State University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dakota Wesleyan University students is 224.6% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($20,910 vs. $6,441).

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. NSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dakota Wesleyan University (1190) is 120 points higher than at NSU (1070).
• Incoming Dakota Wesleyan University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at NSU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dakota Wesleyan University 950/1420; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dakota Wesleyan University 18/24; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dakota Wesleyan University - Test-free; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dakota Wesleyan University Aug 27, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than Dakota Wesleyan University (73.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Dakota Wesleyan University vs. 35.2% at NSU.

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Dakota Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Northern State University's (42%).
• Graduates from Dakota Wesleyan University earn a median of about $800 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,200 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern State University graduates have a $2,134 lower median loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates ($24,399 vs. $26,533).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates ($252 vs. $274).
• More Dakota Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 63%)

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.