Hamline University vs. Dakota Wesleyan University

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

Hamline University Dakota Wesleyan University
Location Saint Paul, MN Mitchell, SD
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 2,432 886
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #319
Religious Affiliation United Methodist United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website hamline.edu dwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Hamline University Dakota Wesleyan University
Tuition (In State) $47,134 $31,700
Tuition (Out of State) $47,134 $31,700
Room & Board $12,030 $7,600
Avg Net Price $22,759 $21,901
Avg Grant Aid $33,981 $20,598
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Hamline University Dakota Wesleyan University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,185 1,153
Admitted 2,861 839
Acceptance Rate 89.8% 72.8%
Enrolled % 13.8% 21.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.48 3.36
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/28 18/24
SAT Range 1146/1393 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 Aug 27, 2026

Academics

Hamline University Dakota Wesleyan University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (21%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Legal Professions (6%)
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

Hamline University Dakota Wesleyan University
Graduation Rate 68% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $55,100 $38,200
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $26,533
Median Loan Payment $250 $274

Diversity

Hamline University Dakota Wesleyan University
% Men 9% 7%
% Women 21% 6%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 88%
% Black 6% 2%
% Hispanic 7% 3%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 3%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Hamline University Dakota Wesleyan University
% In-State 82% 61%
% Out-of-State 17% 35%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Hamline University is larger than than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (2,432 students vs. 886 students)

Hamline University vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

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

  • Hamline University is 48.7% more expensive to attend than Dakota Wesleyan University for in-state tuition ($47,134.00 vs. $31,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 48.7% higher at Hamline University than Dakota Wesleyan University ($47,134.00 vs. $31,700.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dakota Wesleyan University than Hamline University ($21,901 vs. $22,759)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 58.3% lower than costs at Hamline University ($7,600 vs. $12,030)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Hamline University as Dakota Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Hamline University students is 65% larger than aid received Dakota Wesleyan University ($33,981 vs. $20,598)

Hamline University vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hamline University 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 Hamline University .

  • The average SAT score at Hamline University (1127) is 145 points higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (982)
  • Incoming Hamline University students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Hamline University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36)
  • Hamline University has a higher acceptance rate (89.8%) than Dakota Wesleyan University (72.8%)

Hamline University vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Hamline University 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 Hamline University.

  • The graduation rate at Hamline University is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University (68% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Hamline University earn on average $16,900 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates after ten years. ($55,100 vs. $38,200)
  • Hamline University students graduate with a $2,283 lower median federal student loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($24,250 vs. $26,533)
  • Hamline University graduates are paying $24 less per month on federal student loans than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($250 vs. $274)
  • More Hamline University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 71%)

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