DePauw vs. Dakota Wesleyan University

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

DePauw Dakota Wesleyan University
Location Greencastle, IN Mitchell, SD
Setting Distant Town Remote Town
Enrollment 1,819 886
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #95
Religious Affiliation United Methodist United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website depauw.edu dwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

DePauw Dakota Wesleyan University
Tuition (In State) $56,030 $31,700
Tuition (Out of State) $56,030 $31,700
Room & Board $14,850 $7,600
Avg Net Price $30,507 $21,901
Avg Grant Aid $42,053 $20,598
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

DePauw Dakota Wesleyan University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,197 1,153
Admitted 3,891 839
Acceptance Rate 54.1% 72.8%
Enrolled % 12.9% 21.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.97 3.36
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Average
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 26/31 18/24
SAT Range 1140/1430 950/1420
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2026 Aug 27, 2026

Academics

DePauw Dakota Wesleyan University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (19%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • English and Literature (11%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

DePauw Dakota Wesleyan University
Graduation Rate 85% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $61,000 $38,200
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,588 $26,533
Median Loan Payment $264 $274

Diversity

DePauw Dakota Wesleyan University
% Men 0% 7%
% Women 0% 6%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 71% 88%
% Black 5% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 3%
% International 8% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

DePauw Dakota Wesleyan University
% In-State 36% 61%
% Out-of-State 38% 35%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • DePauw University is larger than than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (1,819 students vs. 886 students)

DePauw vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

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

  • DePauw University is 76.8% more expensive to attend than Dakota Wesleyan University for in-state tuition ($56,030.00 vs. $31,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 76.8% higher at DePauw than Dakota Wesleyan University ($56,030.00 vs. $31,700.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dakota Wesleyan University than DePauw ($21,901 vs. $30,507)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 95.4% lower than costs at DePauw University ($7,600 vs. $14,850)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at DePauw University as Dakota Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by DePauw University students is 104.2% larger than aid received Dakota Wesleyan University ($42,053 vs. $20,598)

DePauw vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at DePauw University (1208) is 226 points higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (982)
  • Incoming DePauw students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (21)
  • Accepted freshman DePauw students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36)
  • Dakota Wesleyan University has a higher acceptance rate (72.8%) than DePauw (54.1%)

DePauw vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at DePauw is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University (85% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from DePauw University earn on average $22,800 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates after ten years. ($61,000 vs. $38,200)
  • DePauw University students graduate with a $945 lower median federal student loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($25,588 vs. $26,533)
  • DePauw graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($264 vs. $274)
  • More DePauw graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 71%)

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