Dakota Wesleyan University vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester

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

 Dakota Wesleyan University University of Minnesota-Rochester
Location Mitchell, SD Rochester, MN
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 887 630
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website dwu.edu umn.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Dakota Wesleyan University University of Minnesota-Rochester
Tuition (In State) $30,700 $12,808
Tuition (Out of State) $30,700 $12,808
Room & Board $7,450 $12,882
Avg Net Price $19,825 $12,613
Avg Grant Aid $21,097 $11,833
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 67%

Admission

 Dakota Wesleyan University University of Minnesota-Rochester
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,209 1,198
Admitted 904 859
Acceptance Rate 74.8% 71.7%
Enrolled % 18.6% 22.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.36 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Average Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 20/26
SAT Range 950/1420 1058/1331
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 Jul 31, 2025

Academics

 Dakota Wesleyan University University of Minnesota-Rochester
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

 Dakota Wesleyan University University of Minnesota-Rochester
Graduation Rate 43% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,200 $58,200
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,533 $20,185
Median Loan Payment $274 $208

Diversity

 Dakota Wesleyan University University of Minnesota-Rochester
% Men 46% 20%
% Women 54% 80%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 88% 79%
% Black 2% 6%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 2% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

 Dakota Wesleyan University University of Minnesota-Rochester
% In-State 61% 78%
% Out-of-State 35% 21%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Dakota Wesleyan University is larger than than University of Minnesota-Rochester based on total student enrollment (887 students vs. 630 students)

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dakota Wesleyan University or University of Minnesota-Rochester?

  • Dakota Wesleyan University is 139.7% more expensive to attend than University of Minnesota-Rochester for in-state tuition ($30,700.00 vs. $12,808.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 139.7% higher at Dakota Wesleyan University than University of Minnesota Rochester ($30,700.00 vs. $12,808.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Minnesota Rochester than Dakota Wesleyan University ($12,613 vs. $19,825)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 72.9% lower than costs at University of Minnesota Rochester ($7,450 vs. $12,882)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Dakota Wesleyan University than University of Minnesota Rochester (100% vs. 67%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Dakota Wesleyan University students is 78.3% larger than aid received University of Minnesota Rochester ($21,097 vs. $11,833)

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Minnesota Rochester (1110) is 128 points higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (982)
  • Incoming University of Minnesota-Rochester students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (21)
  • Dakota Wesleyan University has a higher acceptance rate (74.8%) than University of Minnesota-Rochester (71.7%)

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Dakota Wesleyan University or University of Minnesota-Rochester? 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 University of Minnesota-Rochester and Dakota Wesleyan University.

  • Graduates from University of Minnesota Rochester earn on average $20,000 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates after ten years. ($58,200 vs. $38,200)
  • University of Minnesota Rochester students graduate with a $6,348 lower median federal student loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($20,185 vs. $26,533)
  • University of Minnesota-Rochester graduates are paying $66 less per month on federal student loans than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($208 vs. $274)
  • More University of Minnesota-Rochester 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/