St Olaf vs. Dakota Wesleyan University

Comparable Facts

Compare St Olaf College in Northfield, MN with Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St Olaf College is larger than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (3,124 students vs. 892 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St Olaf College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Dakota Wesleyan University is in Mitchell, SD (Remote Town setting).
• St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dakota Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St Olaf College 11:1; Dakota Wesleyan University 12:1.

St Olaf vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St Olaf or Dakota Wesleyan University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dakota Wesleyan University than St Olaf ($22,990 vs. $26,756).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 40.6% lower than at St Olaf College ($8,100 vs. $13,630).
• St Olaf College is 76.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota Wesleyan University (about $25,970 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $33,790.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.9% higher at St Olaf than at Dakota Wesleyan University (about $25,970 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $33,790.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College as at Dakota Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 115.7% larger than aid received by Dakota Wesleyan University students ($45,098 vs. $20,910).

St Olaf vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St Olaf or Dakota Wesleyan University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Dakota Wesleyan University and St Olaf.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 200 points higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (1190).
• Incoming St Olaf students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 21 at Dakota Wesleyan University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 1300/1470; Dakota Wesleyan University 950/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St Olaf College 28/32; Dakota Wesleyan University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St Olaf - Test optional; Dakota Wesleyan University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027; Dakota Wesleyan University Aug 27, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St Olaf students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36).
• Dakota Wesleyan University has a higher acceptance rate (73.4%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 21% at Dakota Wesleyan University.

St Olaf vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St Olaf and Dakota Wesleyan University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• St Olaf College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University's (43%).
• Graduates from St Olaf College earn a median of about $15,500 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dakota Wesleyan University graduates have a $467 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($26,533 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Dakota Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($274 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.