F&M vs. Dakota Wesleyan University

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

F&M Dakota Wesleyan University
Location Lancaster, PA Mitchell, SD
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 1,990 887
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #56
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fandm.edu dwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

F&M Dakota Wesleyan University
Tuition (In State) $65,652 $30,700
Tuition (Out of State) $65,652 $30,700
Room & Board $15,040 $7,450
Avg Net Price $31,135 $19,825
Avg Grant Aid $49,177 $21,097
% Receiving Grant Aid 63% 100%

Admission

F&M Dakota Wesleyan University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,923 1,209
Admitted 3,233 904
Acceptance Rate 36.2% 74.8%
Enrolled % 15.1% 18.6%
Avg High School GPA - 3.36
Typical High School Grades - B+
Admissions Standards Exceptional Average
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 30/33 18/24
SAT Range 1310/1440 950/1420
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 Jan 15, 2025 Aug 27, 2025

Academics

F&M Dakota Wesleyan University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (29%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • General Studies (7%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

F&M Dakota Wesleyan University
Graduation Rate 85% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $61,900 $38,200
Making Student Loan Payments 88% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,000 $26,533
Median Loan Payment $227 $274

Diversity

F&M Dakota Wesleyan University
% Men 47% 46%
% Women 53% 54%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 59% 88%
% Black 6% 2%
% Hispanic 8% 3%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 14% 2%
% Unknown Race 6% 0%

Students

F&M Dakota Wesleyan University
% In-State 25% 61%
% Out-of-State 53% 35%

Campus

F&M 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

  • Franklin and Marshall College is larger than than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (1,990 students vs. 887 students)

F&M vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, F&M or Dakota Wesleyan University?

  • Franklin and Marshall College is 113.9% more expensive to attend than Dakota Wesleyan University for in-state tuition ($65,652.00 vs. $30,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 113.9% higher at F&M than Dakota Wesleyan University ($65,652.00 vs. $30,700.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dakota Wesleyan University than F&M ($19,825 vs. $31,135)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 101.9% lower than costs at Franklin and Marshall College ($7,450 vs. $15,040)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Dakota Wesleyan University than Franklin and Marshall College (100% vs. 63%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students is 133.1% larger than aid received Dakota Wesleyan University ($49,177 vs. $21,097)

F&M vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, F&M 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 F&M .

  • Dakota Wesleyan University has a higher acceptance rate (74.8%) than F&M (36.2%)

F&M vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, F&M 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 F&M.

  • The graduation rate at F&M is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University (85% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Franklin and Marshall College earn on average $23,700 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates after ten years. ($61,900 vs. $38,200)
  • Franklin and Marshall College students graduate with a $4,533 lower median federal student loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($22,000 vs. $26,533)
  • F&M graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($227 vs. $274)
  • More F&M graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 71%)

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