Dickinson College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University

Comparable Facts

Compare Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA with Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dickinson College is larger than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (2,314 students vs. 892 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dickinson College is located in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting); Dakota Wesleyan University is in Mitchell, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dakota Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dickinson College 11:1; Dakota Wesleyan University 12:1.

Dickinson College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dickinson College or Dakota Wesleyan University? 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 Dakota Wesleyan University than Dickinson College ($22,990 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 52.6% lower than at Dickinson College ($8,100 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 94.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota Wesleyan University (about $31,860 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $33,790.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 94.3% higher at Dickinson College than at Dakota Wesleyan University (about $31,860 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $33,790.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dakota Wesleyan University than at Dickinson College (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 112.7% larger than aid received by Dakota Wesleyan University students ($44,479 vs. $20,910).

Dickinson College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 200 points higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (1190).
• Incoming Dickinson College students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 21 at Dakota Wesleyan University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 1310/1460; Dakota Wesleyan University 950/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 30/33; Dakota Wesleyan University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dickinson College - Test optional; Dakota Wesleyan University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027; Dakota Wesleyan University Aug 27, 2027.
• Dakota Wesleyan University has a higher acceptance rate (73.4%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at Dickinson College vs. 21% at Dakota Wesleyan University.

Dickinson College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Dickinson College's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University's (43%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $23,800 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $5,533 lower median loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates ($21,000 vs. $26,533).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates ($217 vs. $274).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 71%)

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.