Nebraska Wesleyan University vs. South Dakota State University

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

Nebraska Wesleyan University South Dakota State University
Location Lincoln, NE Brookings, SD
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 1,688 11,327
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #393 #600
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nebrwesleyan.edu sdstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Nebraska Wesleyan University South Dakota State University
Tuition (In State) $38,898 $7,773
Tuition (Out of State) $38,898 $11,283
Room & Board $11,374 $8,087
Avg Net Price $25,201 $18,160
Avg Grant Aid $26,523 $4,551
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Nebraska Wesleyan University South Dakota State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,370 6,364
Admitted 1,931 5,478
Acceptance Rate 81.5% 86.1%
Enrolled % 18.5% 40%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.53
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/29 19/25
SAT Range 1010/1240 1020/1245
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 South Dakota State University
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%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Agriculture (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Work and Family Studies (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Nebraska Wesleyan University South Dakota State University
Graduation Rate 64% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $51,800 $47,700
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $25,116
Median Loan Payment $258 $259

Diversity

Nebraska Wesleyan University South Dakota State University
% Men 43% 44%
% Women 57% 56%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 85% 88%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 5% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Nebraska Wesleyan University South Dakota State University
% In-State 68% 50%
% Out-of-State 30% 48%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • South Dakota State University is larger than than Nebraska Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (11,327 students vs. 1,688 students)

Nebraska Wesleyan University vs. South Dakota State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Nebraska Wesleyan University is 400.4% more expensive to attend than South Dakota State University for in-state tuition ($38,898.00 vs. $7,773.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 244.7% higher at Nebraska Wesleyan University than South Dakota State University ($38,898.00 vs. $11,283.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at South Dakota State University than Nebraska Wesleyan University ($18,160 vs. $25,201)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 40.6% lower than costs at Nebraska Wesleyan University ($8,087 vs. $11,374)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Nebraska Wesleyan University as South Dakota State University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Nebraska Wesleyan University students is 482.8% larger than aid received South Dakota State University ($26,523 vs. $4,551)

Nebraska Wesleyan University vs. South Dakota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Nebraska Wesleyan University (1121) is 53 points higher than at South Dakota State University (1068)
  • Incoming Nebraska Wesleyan University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at South Dakota State University (23)
  • Accepted freshman Nebraska Wesleyan University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at South Dakota State University (3.53)
  • South Dakota State University has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than Nebraska Wesleyan University (81.5%)

Nebraska Wesleyan University vs. South Dakota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Nebraska Wesleyan University is higher than South Dakota State University (64% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from Nebraska Wesleyan University earn on average $4,100 more per year than South Dakota State University graduates after ten years. ($51,800 vs. $47,700)
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University students graduate with a $116 lower median federal student loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $25,116)
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans than South Dakota State University graduates. ($258 vs. $259)
  • More Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Dakota State University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 77%)

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