Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
SPU UW-Seattle Seattle U Whitworth University Gonzaga Saint Martin's University University of Puget Sound Dakota State Pacific Whitman College Western Washington University University of Portland| Dakota Wesleyan University | Pacific Lutheran University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Dakota Wesleyan University | PLU | ||
| Location | Mitchell, SD | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 887 | 2,633 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #311 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | United Methodist | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | dwu.edu | plu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Dakota Wesleyan University | PLU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $30,700 | $49,472 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $30,700 | $49,472 | ||
| Room & Board | $7,450 | $11,826 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $19,825 | $24,825 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $21,097 | $36,435 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 99% |
Admission |
Dakota Wesleyan University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 1,209 | 3,334 | ||
| Admitted | 904 | 2,964 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 74.8% | 88.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 18.6% | 17.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.36 | 3.71 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Very High | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 18/24 | 27/30 | ||
| SAT Range | 950/1420 | 1253/1423 | ||
| 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 | Aug 15, 2025 |
Academics |
Dakota Wesleyan University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 12:1 | 11:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
Dakota Wesleyan University | PLU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 43% | 66% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $38,200 | $52,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 71% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $26,533 | $25,800 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $274 | $266 |
Diversity |
Dakota Wesleyan University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 46% | 36% | ||
| % Women | 54% | 64% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 88% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 2% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 2% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 7% | ||
| % International | 2% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 1% |
Students |
Dakota Wesleyan University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 61% | 74% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 35% | 22% | ||
Campus |
Dakota Wesleyan University | PLU | ||
| 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
- Pacific Lutheran University is larger than than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (2,633 students vs. 887 students)
Dakota Wesleyan University vs. PLU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Dakota Wesleyan University or PLU?
- Pacific Lutheran University is 61.1% more expensive to attend than Dakota Wesleyan University for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $30,700.00)
- Out of state tuition is 61.1% higher at PLU than Dakota Wesleyan University ($49,472.00 vs. $30,700.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dakota Wesleyan University than PLU ($19,825 vs. $24,825)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 58.7% lower than costs at Pacific Lutheran University ($7,450 vs. $11,826)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Dakota Wesleyan University than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 72.7% larger than aid received Dakota Wesleyan University ($36,435 vs. $21,097)
Dakota Wesleyan University vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Dakota Wesleyan University or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or Dakota Wesleyan University .
- The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 135 points higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (982)
- Incoming PLU students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (21)
- Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36)
- PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Dakota Wesleyan University (74.8%)
Dakota Wesleyan University vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Dakota Wesleyan University or PLU? 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 PLU and Dakota Wesleyan University.
- The graduation rate at PLU is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University (66% vs. 43%)
- Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $14,100 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $38,200)
- Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $733 lower median federal student loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($25,800 vs. $26,533)
- PLU graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($266 vs. $274)
- More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 71%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/