Nebraska Wesleyan University vs. USD

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

Nebraska Wesleyan University USD
Location Lincoln, NE Vermillion, SD
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 1,688 9,856
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #393 #597
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nebrwesleyan.edu usd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Nebraska Wesleyan University USD
Tuition (In State) $38,898 $7,773
Tuition (Out of State) $38,898 $11,283
Room & Board $11,374 $8,224
Avg Net Price $25,201 $18,378
Avg Grant Aid $26,523 $6,308
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 79%

Admission

Nebraska Wesleyan University USD
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,370 4,480
Admitted 1,931 4,456
Acceptance Rate 81.5% 99.5%
Enrolled % 18.5% 29.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.43
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/29 19/25
SAT Range 1010/1240 1020/1300
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 USD
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Health Professions (32%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Nebraska Wesleyan University USD
Graduation Rate 64% 47%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $51,800 $48,200
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 70%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $258

Diversity

Nebraska Wesleyan University USD
% Men 43% 37%
% Women 57% 63%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 85% 85%
% Black 2% 3%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Nebraska Wesleyan University USD
% In-State 68% 54%
% Out-of-State 30% 43%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of South Dakota is larger than than Nebraska Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (9,856 students vs. 1,688 students)

Nebraska Wesleyan University vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nebraska Wesleyan University or USD?

  • Nebraska Wesleyan University is 400.4% more expensive to attend than USD for in-state tuition ($38,898.00 vs. $7,773.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 244.7% higher at Nebraska Wesleyan University than University of South Dakota ($38,898.00 vs. $11,283.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Dakota than Nebraska Wesleyan University ($18,378 vs. $25,201)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 38.3% lower than costs at Nebraska Wesleyan University ($8,224 vs. $11,374)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Nebraska Wesleyan University than University of South Dakota (100% vs. 79%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Nebraska Wesleyan University students is 320.5% larger than aid received University of South Dakota ($26,523 vs. $6,308)

Nebraska Wesleyan University vs. USD Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Nebraska Wesleyan University (1121) is 72 points higher than at USD (1049)
  • Incoming Nebraska Wesleyan University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at USD (23)
  • Accepted freshman Nebraska Wesleyan University students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at USD (3.43)
  • USD has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Nebraska Wesleyan University (81.5%)

Nebraska Wesleyan University vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Nebraska Wesleyan University or USD? 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 USD and Nebraska Wesleyan University.

  • The graduation rate at Nebraska Wesleyan University is higher than University of South Dakota (64% vs. 47%)
  • Graduates from Nebraska Wesleyan University earn on average $3,600 more per year than USD graduates after ten years. ($51,800 vs. $48,200)
  • University of South Dakota and Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($25,000 vs. $25,000)
  • University of South Dakota and Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($258 vs. $258)
  • More Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 70%)

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