Dakota Wesleyan University vs. Sewanee

Deciding between Dakota Wesleyan University and The University of the South? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

The University of the South

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Dakota Wesleyan University Mitchell, SD
  • Sewanee Sewanee, TN
  • Setting
  • Dakota Wesleyan University Remote Town
  • Sewanee Distant Rural
  • Total enrollment
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 892
  • Sewanee 1,724
  • Type
  • Dakota Wesleyan University Private 4 Year
  • Sewanee Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Dakota Wesleyan University
  • Sewanee #89
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Dakota Wesleyan University United Methodist
  • Sewanee Protestant Episcopal
  • Status
  • Dakota Wesleyan University Non-profit
  • Sewanee Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Dakota Wesleyan University
  • Sewanee
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Dakota Wesleyan University $33,790
  • Sewanee $56,120
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Dakota Wesleyan University $33,790
  • Sewanee $56,120
  • Room & Board
  • Dakota Wesleyan University $8,100
  • Sewanee $16,028
  • Average Net Price
  • Dakota Wesleyan University $22,990
  • Sewanee $34,815
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Dakota Wesleyan University $20,910
  • Sewanee $37,171
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 100%
  • Sewanee 98%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 1,247
  • Sewanee 4,703
  • Admitted
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 915
  • Sewanee 2,676
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 73.4%
  • Sewanee 56.9%
  • Enrolled
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 21%
  • Sewanee 17.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 1190
  • Sewanee 1330
  • Typical ACT score
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 21
  • Sewanee 29
  • Average High School GPA
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 3.36
  • Sewanee -
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Dakota Wesleyan University B+
  • Sewanee -
  • Admissions Standards
  • Dakota Wesleyan University Average
  • Sewanee Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Dakota Wesleyan University Low
  • Sewanee Low
  • ACT Range
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 18/24
  • Sewanee 27/31
  • SAT Range
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 950/1420
  • Sewanee 1260/1390
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Dakota Wesleyan University Test-free
  • Sewanee Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Dakota Wesleyan University Aug 27, 2027
  • Sewanee Feb 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 12:1
  • Sewanee 9:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Dakota Wesleyan University
    • Health Professions (37%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Sewanee
    • Social Sciences (17%)
    • English and Literature (14%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • General Studies (10%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 43%
  • Sewanee 86%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Dakota Wesleyan University $38,200
  • Sewanee $49,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 71%
  • Sewanee 83%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Dakota Wesleyan University $26,533
  • Sewanee $19,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Dakota Wesleyan University $274
  • Sewanee $196
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 48%
  • Sewanee 47%
  • % Women
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 52%
  • Sewanee 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Dakota Wesleyan University Very Low
  • Sewanee Low
  • HBCU
  • Dakota Wesleyan University No
  • Sewanee No
  • % White
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 88%
  • Sewanee 82%
  • % Asian
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 0%
  • Sewanee 2%
  • % Black
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 2%
  • Sewanee 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 3%
  • Sewanee 5%
  • % Native American
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 2%
  • Sewanee 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 0%
  • Sewanee 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 3%
  • Sewanee 3%
  • % International
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 2%
  • Sewanee 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 0%
  • Sewanee 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 58%
  • Sewanee 24%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 39%
  • Sewanee 71%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Dakota Wesleyan University Yes
  • Sewanee Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Dakota Wesleyan University No
  • Sewanee Yes
  • Meal Plan
  • Dakota Wesleyan University Yes
  • Sewanee Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Dakota Wesleyan University No
  • Sewanee No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Dakota Wesleyan University Yes
  • Sewanee Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD with The University of the South in Sewanee, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of the South is larger than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (1,724 students vs. 892 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Dakota Wesleyan University is located in Mitchell, SD (Remote Town setting); The University of the South is in Sewanee, TN (Distant Rural setting).
  • Dakota Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of the South is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Dakota Wesleyan University 12:1; The University of the South 9:1.

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. Sewanee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dakota Wesleyan University or Sewanee? 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 Sewanee ($22,990 vs. $34,815).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 49.5% lower than at The University of the South ($8,100 vs. $16,028).
  • The University of the South is 66.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota Wesleyan University (about $22,330 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $33,790.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 66.1% higher at Sewanee than at Dakota Wesleyan University (about $22,330 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $33,790.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dakota Wesleyan University than at The University of the South (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The University of the South students is 77.8% larger than aid received by Dakota Wesleyan University students ($37,171 vs. $20,910).

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. Sewanee Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of the South (1330) is 140 points higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (1190).
  • Incoming Sewanee students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 21 at Dakota Wesleyan University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dakota Wesleyan University 950/1420; The University of the South 1260/1390.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dakota Wesleyan University 18/24; The University of the South 27/31.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dakota Wesleyan University - Test-free; Sewanee - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Dakota Wesleyan University Aug 27, 2027; Sewanee Feb 1, 2027.
  • Dakota Wesleyan University has a higher acceptance rate (73.4%) than Sewanee (56.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Dakota Wesleyan University vs. 17.9% at Sewanee.

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. Sewanee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The University of the South's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University's (43%).
  • Graduates from The University of the South earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,800 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of the South graduates have a $7,533 lower median loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates ($19,000 vs. $26,533).
  • Among borrowers, Sewanee graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates ($196 vs. $274).
  • More Sewanee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.