Dakota Wesleyan University vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

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

Dakota Wesleyan University South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Location Mitchell, SD Rapid City, SD
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 887 2,492
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #362
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website dwu.edu sdsmt.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Dakota Wesleyan University South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Tuition (In State) $30,700 $7,820
Tuition (Out of State) $30,700 $12,240
Room & Board $7,450 $8,020
Avg Net Price $19,825 $21,124
Avg Grant Aid $21,097 $5,431
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 90%

Admission

Dakota Wesleyan University South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,209 1,514
Admitted 904 1,252
Acceptance Rate 74.8% 82.7%
Enrolled % 18.6% 43%
Avg High School GPA 3.36 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 23/29
SAT Range 950/1420 1160/1378
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 Feb 15, 2025

Academics

Dakota Wesleyan University South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Engineering (76%)
  • Physical Sciences (9%)
  • General Studies (6%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (5%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (3%)

Outcomes

Dakota Wesleyan University South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Graduation Rate 43% 48%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,200 $60,000
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 79%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,533 $27,500
Median Loan Payment $274 $284

Diversity

Dakota Wesleyan University South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
% Men 46% 76%
% Women 54% 24%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 88% 84%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 2% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

Dakota Wesleyan University South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
% In-State 61% 37%
% Out-of-State 35% 62%

Campus

Dakota Wesleyan University South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is larger than than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (2,492 students vs. 887 students)

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dakota Wesleyan University or South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?

  • Dakota Wesleyan University is 292.6% more expensive to attend than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology for in-state tuition ($30,700.00 vs. $7,820.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 150.8% higher at Dakota Wesleyan University than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ($30,700.00 vs. $12,240.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dakota Wesleyan University than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ($19,825 vs. $21,124)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 7.7% lower than costs at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ($7,450 vs. $8,020)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Dakota Wesleyan University than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (100% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Dakota Wesleyan University students is 288.5% larger than aid received South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ($21,097 vs. $5,431)

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (1200) is 218 points higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (982)
  • Incoming South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (21)
  • Accepted freshman South Dakota School of Mines and Technology students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36)
  • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has a higher acceptance rate (82.7%) than Dakota Wesleyan University (74.8%)

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Dakota Wesleyan University or South Dakota School of Mines and Technology? 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 South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and Dakota Wesleyan University.

  • The graduation rate at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University (48% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology earn on average $21,800 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates after ten years. ($60,000 vs. $38,200)
  • Dakota Wesleyan University students graduate with a $967 lower median federal student loan debt than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates. ($26,533 vs. $27,500)
  • Dakota Wesleyan University graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates. ($274 vs. $284)
  • More South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 71%)

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