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South Dakota State University University of North Dakota Black Hills State University Nebraska Augustana Truman State Dakota State Augustana University South Dakota School of Mines and Technology NSU UNI ISU| Dakota Wesleyan University | University of South Dakota | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Dakota Wesleyan University | USD | ||
| Location | Mitchell, SD | Vermillion, SD | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Distant Town | ||
| Enrollment | 887 | 9,856 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #597 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | United Methodist | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | dwu.edu | usd.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Dakota Wesleyan University | USD | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $30,700 | $7,773 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $30,700 | $11,283 | ||
| Room & Board | $7,450 | $8,224 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $19,825 | $18,378 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $21,097 | $6,308 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 79% |
Admission |
Dakota Wesleyan University | USD | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 1,209 | 4,480 | ||
| Admitted | 904 | 4,456 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 74.8% | 99.5% | ||
| Enrolled % | 18.6% | 29.8% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.36 | 3.43 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 18/24 | 19/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 950/1420 | 1020/1300 | ||
| 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 | USD | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 12:1 | 14:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Dakota Wesleyan University | USD | ||
| Graduation Rate | 43% | 47% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $38,200 | $48,200 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 71% | 70% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $26,533 | $25,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $274 | $258 |
Diversity |
Dakota Wesleyan University | USD | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 46% | 37% | ||
| % Women | 54% | 63% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 88% | 85% | ||
| % Black | 2% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 2% | 2% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 3% | ||
| % International | 2% | 2% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 0% |
Students |
Dakota Wesleyan University | USD | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 61% | 54% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 35% | 43% | ||
Campus |
Dakota Wesleyan University | USD | ||
| 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
- University of South Dakota is larger than than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (9,856 students vs. 887 students)
Dakota Wesleyan University vs. USD Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Dakota Wesleyan University or USD?
- Dakota Wesleyan University is 295% more expensive to attend than USD for in-state tuition ($30,700.00 vs. $7,773.00)
- Out of state tuition is 172.1% higher at Dakota Wesleyan University than University of South Dakota ($30,700.00 vs. $11,283.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Dakota than Dakota Wesleyan University ($18,378 vs. $19,825)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 10.4% lower than costs at University of South Dakota ($7,450 vs. $8,224)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Dakota Wesleyan University than University of South Dakota (100% vs. 79%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Dakota Wesleyan University students is 234.4% larger than aid received University of South Dakota ($21,097 vs. $6,308)
Dakota Wesleyan University vs. USD Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Dakota Wesleyan University or USD? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between USD or Dakota Wesleyan University .
- The average SAT score at University of South Dakota (1049) is 67 points higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (982)
- Incoming USD students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (21)
- Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36)
- USD has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Dakota Wesleyan University (74.8%)
Dakota Wesleyan University vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Dakota Wesleyan University or USD? 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 USD and Dakota Wesleyan University.
- The graduation rate at USD is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University (47% vs. 43%)
- Graduates from University of South Dakota earn on average $10,000 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates after ten years. ($48,200 vs. $38,200)
- University of South Dakota students graduate with a $1,533 lower median federal student loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $26,533)
- USD graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($258 vs. $274)
- More Dakota Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 70%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/