Dakota Wesleyan University vs. NSU

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

 Dakota Wesleyan University NSU
Location Mitchell, SD Aberdeen, SD
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 886 3,521
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #871
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website dwu.edu northern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Dakota Wesleyan University NSU
Tuition (In State) $31,700 $7,616
Tuition (Out of State) $31,700 $10,718
Room & Board $7,600 $10,300
Avg Net Price $21,901 $16,873
Avg Grant Aid $20,598 $5,565
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 93%

Admission

 Dakota Wesleyan University NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,153 1,082
Admitted 839 1,004
Acceptance Rate 72.8% 92.8%
Enrolled % 21.9% 31.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.36 3.37
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 18/24
SAT Range 950/1420 800/1150
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 27, 2026

Academics

 Dakota Wesleyan University NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Business (35%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

 Dakota Wesleyan University NSU
Graduation Rate 43% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,200 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,533 $24,399
Median Loan Payment $274 $252

Diversity

 Dakota Wesleyan University NSU
% Men 7% 4%
% Women 6% 13%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 88% 83%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 2% 3%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

 Dakota Wesleyan University NSU
% In-State 61% 72%
% Out-of-State 35% 28%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern State University is larger than than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (3,521 students vs. 886 students)

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

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

  • Dakota Wesleyan University is 316.2% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($31,700.00 vs. $7,616.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 195.8% higher at Dakota Wesleyan University than Northern State University ($31,700.00 vs. $10,718.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern State University than Dakota Wesleyan University ($16,873 vs. $21,901)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 35.5% lower than costs at Northern State University ($7,600 vs. $10,300)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Dakota Wesleyan University than Northern State University (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Dakota Wesleyan University students is 270.1% larger than aid received Northern State University ($20,598 vs. $5,565)

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern State University (1024) is 42 points higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (982)
  • Incoming NSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (21)
  • 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 (92.8%) than Dakota Wesleyan University (72.8%)

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Dakota Wesleyan University is higher than Northern State University (43% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Dakota Wesleyan University earn on average $800 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($38,200 vs. $37,400)
  • Northern State University students graduate with a $2,134 lower median federal student loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($24,399 vs. $26,533)
  • NSU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans 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/