Dakota Wesleyan University vs. Westminster

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

Dakota Wesleyan University Westminster
Location Mitchell, SD Salt Lake City, UT
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 887 1,280
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #160
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website dwu.edu westminstercollege.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Dakota Wesleyan University Westminster
Tuition (In State) $30,700 $39,832
Tuition (Out of State) $30,700 $39,832
Room & Board $7,450 $11,024
Avg Net Price $19,825 $27,068
Avg Grant Aid $21,097 $27,787
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Dakota Wesleyan University Westminster
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,209 2,205
Admitted 904 1,538
Acceptance Rate 74.8% 69.8%
Enrolled % 18.6% 12.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.36 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 23/29
SAT Range 950/1420 1166/1373
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 Westminster
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%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Psychology (7%)

Outcomes

Dakota Wesleyan University Westminster
Graduation Rate 43% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,200 $53,900
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,533 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $274 $258

Diversity

Dakota Wesleyan University Westminster
% Men 46% 38%
% Women 54% 62%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 88% 73%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 3% 10%
% Native American 2% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 2% 5%
% Unknown Race 0% 4%

Students

Dakota Wesleyan University Westminster
% In-State 61% 57%
% Out-of-State 35% 42%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Westminster College is larger than than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (1,280 students vs. 887 students)

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. Westminster Cost Comparison

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

  • Westminster College is 29.7% more expensive to attend than Dakota Wesleyan University for in-state tuition ($39,832.00 vs. $30,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 29.7% higher at Westminster than Dakota Wesleyan University ($39,832.00 vs. $30,700.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dakota Wesleyan University than Westminster ($19,825 vs. $27,068)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 48% lower than costs at Westminster College ($7,450 vs. $11,024)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Dakota Wesleyan University as Westminster College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Westminster College students is 31.7% larger than aid received Dakota Wesleyan University ($27,787 vs. $21,097)

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. Westminster Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Westminster College (1124) is 142 points higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (982)
  • Incoming Westminster students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Westminster students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36)
  • Dakota Wesleyan University has a higher acceptance rate (74.8%) than Westminster (69.8%)

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. Westminster Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Westminster is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University (66% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Westminster College earn on average $15,700 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates after ten years. ($53,900 vs. $38,200)
  • Westminster College students graduate with a $1,533 lower median federal student loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $26,533)
  • Westminster graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($258 vs. $274)
  • More Westminster graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 71%)

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