Dakota Wesleyan University vs. USD

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Dakota is larger than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (10,619 students vs. 892 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dakota Wesleyan University is located in Mitchell, SD (Remote Town setting); University of South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Dakota Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dakota Wesleyan University 12:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dakota Wesleyan University or USD? 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 University of South Dakota than Dakota Wesleyan University ($19,133 vs. $22,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 21.8% lower than at University of South Dakota ($8,100 vs. $10,356).
• Dakota Wesleyan University is 258.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $24,358 more per year; $33,790.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 161.1% higher at Dakota Wesleyan University than at University of South Dakota (about $20,848 more per year; $33,790.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dakota Wesleyan University than at University of South Dakota (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dakota Wesleyan University students is 271.9% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($20,910 vs. $5,623).

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. USD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Dakota (1220) is 30 points higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (1190).
• Incoming USD students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Dakota Wesleyan University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dakota Wesleyan University 950/1420; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dakota Wesleyan University 18/24; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dakota Wesleyan University - Test-free; USD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dakota Wesleyan University Aug 27, 2027.
• 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 (98.8%) than Dakota Wesleyan University (73.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Dakota Wesleyan University vs. 24.1% at USD.

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of South Dakota's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University's (43%).
• Graduates from University of South Dakota earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,200 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Dakota graduates have a $1,533 lower median loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,533).
• Among borrowers, USD graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.