Nebraska Wesleyan University vs. Dakota State

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

Nebraska Wesleyan University Dakota State
Location Lincoln, NE Madison, SD
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 1,688 3,241
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #393 #808
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nebrwesleyan.edu dsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Nebraska Wesleyan University Dakota State
Tuition (In State) $38,898 $7,616
Tuition (Out of State) $38,898 $10,718
Room & Board $11,374 $8,018
Avg Net Price $25,201 $17,977
Avg Grant Aid $26,523 $5,467
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 92%

Admission

Nebraska Wesleyan University Dakota State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,370 882
Admitted 1,931 696
Acceptance Rate 81.5% 78.9%
Enrolled % 18.5% 53.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.33
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/29 19/27
SAT Range 1010/1240 940/1240
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 15, 2025

Academics

Nebraska Wesleyan University Dakota State
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (28%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (22%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (3%)

Outcomes

Nebraska Wesleyan University Dakota State
Graduation Rate 64% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $51,800 $42,200
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 67%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $23,500
Median Loan Payment $258 $242

Diversity

Nebraska Wesleyan University Dakota State
% Men 43% 64%
% Women 57% 36%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 85% 84%
% Black 2% 4%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Nebraska Wesleyan University Dakota State
% In-State 68% 58%
% Out-of-State 30% 39%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Dakota State University is larger than than Nebraska Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (3,241 students vs. 1,688 students)

Nebraska Wesleyan University vs. Dakota State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nebraska Wesleyan University or Dakota State?

  • Nebraska Wesleyan University is 410.7% more expensive to attend than Dakota State for in-state tuition ($38,898.00 vs. $7,616.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 262.9% higher at Nebraska Wesleyan University than Dakota State University ($38,898.00 vs. $10,718.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dakota State University than Nebraska Wesleyan University ($17,977 vs. $25,201)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 41.9% lower than costs at Nebraska Wesleyan University ($8,018 vs. $11,374)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Nebraska Wesleyan University than Dakota State University (100% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Nebraska Wesleyan University students is 385.1% larger than aid received Dakota State University ($26,523 vs. $5,467)

Nebraska Wesleyan University vs. Dakota State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Nebraska Wesleyan University or Dakota State? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Dakota State or Nebraska Wesleyan University .

  • The average SAT score at Nebraska Wesleyan University (1121) is 74 points higher than at Dakota State (1047)
  • Incoming Nebraska Wesleyan University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Dakota State (23)
  • Accepted freshman Nebraska Wesleyan University students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Dakota State (3.33)
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University has a higher acceptance rate (81.5%) than Dakota State (78.9%)

Nebraska Wesleyan University vs. Dakota State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Nebraska Wesleyan University or Dakota State? 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 State and Nebraska Wesleyan University.

  • The graduation rate at Nebraska Wesleyan University is higher than Dakota State University (64% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Nebraska Wesleyan University earn on average $9,600 more per year than Dakota State graduates after ten years. ($51,800 vs. $42,200)
  • Dakota State University students graduate with a $1,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates. ($23,500 vs. $25,000)
  • Dakota State graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates. ($242 vs. $258)
  • More Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota State students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 67%)

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