Dakota Wesleyan University vs. Union University

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

Dakota Wesleyan University Union University
Location Mitchell, SD Jackson, TN
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 887 2,731
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #169
Religious Affiliation United Methodist Southern Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website dwu.edu uu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Dakota Wesleyan University Union University
Tuition (In State) $30,700 $35,500
Tuition (Out of State) $30,700 $35,500
Room & Board $7,450 $10,740
Avg Net Price $19,825 $28,585
Avg Grant Aid $21,097 $28,520
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Dakota Wesleyan University Union University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,209 2,839
Admitted 904 1,492
Acceptance Rate 74.8% 52.6%
Enrolled % 18.6% 22.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.36 3.8
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 23/30
SAT Range 950/1420 1100/1370
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

Academics

Dakota Wesleyan University Union University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 8:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Health Professions (23%)
  • General Studies (19%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Human Services (6%)
  • Business (5%)

Outcomes

Dakota Wesleyan University Union University
Graduation Rate 43% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,200 $48,200
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,533 $24,840
Median Loan Payment $274 $256

Diversity

Dakota Wesleyan University Union University
% Men 46% 34%
% Women 54% 66%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 88% 70%
% Black 2% 19%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 2% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 4%

Students

Dakota Wesleyan University Union University
% In-State 61% 62%
% Out-of-State 35% 36%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Union University is larger than than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (2,731 students vs. 887 students)

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. Union University Cost Comparison

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

  • Union University is 15.6% more expensive to attend than Dakota Wesleyan University for in-state tuition ($35,500.00 vs. $30,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 15.6% higher at Union University than Dakota Wesleyan University ($35,500.00 vs. $30,700.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dakota Wesleyan University than Union University ($19,825 vs. $28,585)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 44.2% lower than costs at Union University ($7,450 vs. $10,740)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Dakota Wesleyan University as Union University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Union University students is 35.2% larger than aid received Dakota Wesleyan University ($28,520 vs. $21,097)

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. Union University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Union University (1163) is 181 points higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (982)
  • Incoming Union University students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Union University students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36)
  • Dakota Wesleyan University has a higher acceptance rate (74.8%) than Union University (52.6%)

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. Union University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Union University is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University (61% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Union University earn on average $10,000 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates after ten years. ($48,200 vs. $38,200)
  • Union University students graduate with a $1,693 lower median federal student loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($24,840 vs. $26,533)
  • Union University graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($256 vs. $274)
  • More Dakota Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 66%)

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