DSC vs. ESU

Comparable Facts

Compare Dalton State College in Dalton, GA with Emporia State University in Emporia, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dalton State College is larger than ESU based on total student enrollment (5,135 students vs. 4,557 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dalton State College is located in Dalton, GA (Small City setting); Emporia State University is in Emporia, KS (Remote Town setting).
• Dalton State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Emporia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dalton State College 21:1; Emporia State University 16:1.

DSC vs. ESU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DSC or ESU ? 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 Dalton State College than ESU ($5,625 vs. $16,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dalton State College are 4.8% lower than at Emporia State University ($10,419 vs. $10,950).
• Emporia State University is 113% more expensive for in-state tuition than DSC (about $3,770 more per year; $7,106.00 vs. $3,336.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.7% higher at ESU than at Dalton State College (about $4,763 more per year; $15,419.00 vs. $10,656.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Dalton State College as at Emporia State University (92% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dalton State College students is 11.8% larger than aid received by Emporia State University students ($6,654 vs. $5,951).

DSC vs. ESU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DSC or ESU ? 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 ESU and DSC.

• Dalton State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DSC - Open admission; ESU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DSC Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ESU students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at DSC (3.1).

DSC vs. ESU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DSC and ESU ? 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).

• Emporia State University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Dalton State College's (16%).
• Graduates from Emporia State University earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than DSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dalton State College graduates have a $4,532 lower median loan debt than ESU graduates ($14,887 vs. $19,419).
• Among borrowers, DSC graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ESU graduates ($153 vs. $200).
• More ESU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DSC students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 42%)

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.