Furman vs. Dakota Wesleyan University

Deciding between Furman University and Dakota Wesleyan University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Furman University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Furman Greenville, SC
  • Dakota Wesleyan University Mitchell, SD
  • Setting
  • Furman Large Suburban
  • Dakota Wesleyan University Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Furman 2,554
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 892
  • Type
  • Furman Private 4 Year
  • Dakota Wesleyan University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Furman #104
  • Dakota Wesleyan University
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Furman -
  • Dakota Wesleyan University United Methodist
  • Status
  • Furman Non-profit
  • Dakota Wesleyan University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Furman
  • Dakota Wesleyan University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Furman $59,770
  • Dakota Wesleyan University $33,790
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Furman $59,770
  • Dakota Wesleyan University $33,790
  • Room & Board
  • Furman $16,504
  • Dakota Wesleyan University $8,100
  • Average Net Price
  • Furman $34,086
  • Dakota Wesleyan University $22,990
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Furman $42,811
  • Dakota Wesleyan University $20,910
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Furman 100%
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Furman 10,813
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 1,247
  • Admitted
  • Furman 4,644
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 915
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Furman 42.9%
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 73.4%
  • Enrolled
  • Furman 13.1%
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 21%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Furman 1350
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • Furman 30
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • Furman 3.61
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 3.36
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Furman A-
  • Dakota Wesleyan University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Furman Very High
  • Dakota Wesleyan University Average
  • Applicant Competition
  • Furman Low
  • Dakota Wesleyan University Low
  • ACT Range
  • Furman 28/32
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 18/24
  • SAT Range
  • Furman 1260/1430
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 950/1420
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Furman Test optional
  • Dakota Wesleyan University Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Furman Jan 15, 2027
  • Dakota Wesleyan University Aug 27, 2027
  • Academics

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

  • Graduation Rate
  • Furman 87%
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 43%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Furman $54,300
  • Dakota Wesleyan University $38,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Furman 82%
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 71%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Furman $25,443
  • Dakota Wesleyan University $26,533
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Furman $263
  • Dakota Wesleyan University $274
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Furman 41%
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 48%
  • % Women
  • Furman 59%
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 52%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Furman Low
  • Dakota Wesleyan University Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Furman No
  • Dakota Wesleyan University No
  • % White
  • Furman 78%
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 88%
  • % Asian
  • Furman 2%
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 0%
  • % Black
  • Furman 5%
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 2%
  • % Hispanic
  • Furman 4%
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 3%
  • % Native American
  • Furman 0%
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 2%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Furman 0%
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Furman 2%
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 3%
  • % International
  • Furman 6%
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Furman 2%
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Furman 29%
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 58%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Furman 62%
  • Dakota Wesleyan University 39%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Furman Yes
  • Dakota Wesleyan University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Furman No
  • Dakota Wesleyan University No
  • Meal Plan
  • Furman Yes
  • Dakota Wesleyan University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Furman No
  • Dakota Wesleyan University No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Furman No
  • Dakota Wesleyan University Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Furman University in Greenville, SC with Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Furman University is larger than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (2,554 students vs. 892 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Furman University is located in Greenville, SC (Large Suburban setting); Dakota Wesleyan University is in Mitchell, SD (Remote Town setting).
  • Furman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dakota Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Furman University 10:1; Dakota Wesleyan University 12:1.

Furman vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Furman 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 Furman ($22,990 vs. $34,086).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 50.9% lower than at Furman University ($8,100 vs. $16,504).
  • Furman University is 76.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota Wesleyan University (about $25,980 more per year; $59,770.00 vs. $33,790.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 76.9% higher at Furman than at Dakota Wesleyan University (about $25,980 more per year; $59,770.00 vs. $33,790.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Furman University as at Dakota Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Furman University students is 104.7% larger than aid received by Dakota Wesleyan University students ($42,811 vs. $20,910).

Furman vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Furman 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 Furman.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Furman University (1350) is 160 points higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (1190).
  • Incoming Furman students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 21 at Dakota Wesleyan University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Furman University 1260/1430; Dakota Wesleyan University 950/1420.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Furman University 28/32; Dakota Wesleyan University 18/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Furman - Test optional; Dakota Wesleyan University - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Furman Jan 15, 2027; Dakota Wesleyan University Aug 27, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Furman students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36).
  • Dakota Wesleyan University has a higher acceptance rate (73.4%) than Furman (42.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Furman vs. 21% at Dakota Wesleyan University.

Furman vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Furman 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).

  • Furman University's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University's (43%).
  • Graduates from Furman University earn a median of about $16,100 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Furman University graduates have a $1,090 lower median loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates ($25,443 vs. $26,533).
  • Among borrowers, Furman graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates ($263 vs. $274).
  • More Furman graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.