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Iowa Michigan State Purdue Nebraska UIC Minnesota UNI Illinois ASU IU UT Dallas NDSU| Iowa State University | Dakota Wesleyan University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
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 | ||
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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/