ISU vs. Dakota Wesleyan University

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

ISU Dakota Wesleyan University
Location Ames, IA Mitchell, SD
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 29,969 887
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #352
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website iastate.edu dwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

ISU Dakota Wesleyan University
Tuition (In State) $8,678 $30,700
Tuition (Out of State) $25,162 $30,700
Room & Board $9,358 $7,450
Avg Net Price $15,310 $19,825
Avg Grant Aid $11,043 $21,097
% Receiving Grant Aid 80% 100%

Admission

ISU Dakota Wesleyan University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 21,919 1,209
Admitted 19,776 904
Acceptance Rate 90.2% 74.8%
Enrolled % 29% 18.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.36
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 18/24
SAT Range 1090/1350 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 Aug 27, 2025

Academics

ISU Dakota Wesleyan University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Engineering (17%)
  • Agriculture (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

ISU Dakota Wesleyan University
Graduation Rate 68% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,700 $38,200
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,868 $26,533
Median Loan Payment $246 $274

Diversity

ISU Dakota Wesleyan University
% Men 55% 46%
% Women 45% 54%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 88%
% Black 3% 2%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 7% 2%
% Unknown Race 5% 0%

Students

ISU Dakota Wesleyan University
% In-State 52% 61%
% Out-of-State 45% 35%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Iowa State University is larger than than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (29,969 students vs. 887 students)

ISU vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

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

  • Dakota Wesleyan University is 253.8% more expensive to attend than ISU for in-state tuition ($30,700.00 vs. $8,678.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 22% higher at Dakota Wesleyan University than Iowa State University ($30,700.00 vs. $25,162.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Iowa State University than Dakota Wesleyan University ($15,310 vs. $19,825)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 25.6% lower than costs at Iowa State University ($7,450 vs. $9,358)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Dakota Wesleyan University than Iowa State University (100% vs. 80%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Dakota Wesleyan University students is 91% larger than aid received Iowa State University ($21,097 vs. $11,043)

ISU vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU 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 ISU .

  • The average SAT score at Iowa State University (1142) is 160 points higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (982)
  • Incoming ISU students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (21)
  • Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36)
  • ISU has a higher acceptance rate (90.2%) than Dakota Wesleyan University (74.8%)

ISU vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ISU 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 ISU.

  • The graduation rate at ISU is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University (68% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Iowa State University earn on average $15,500 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates after ten years. ($53,700 vs. $38,200)
  • Iowa State University students graduate with a $2,665 lower median federal student loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($23,868 vs. $26,533)
  • ISU graduates are paying $28 less per month on federal student loans than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($246 vs. $274)
  • More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 71%)

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