Thomas Aquinas College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University

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

Thomas Aquinas College Dakota Wesleyan University
Location Santa Paula, CA Mitchell, SD
Setting Distant Rural Remote Town
Enrollment 516 887
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website thomasaquinas.edu dwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Thomas Aquinas College Dakota Wesleyan University
Tuition (In State) $27,000 $30,700
Tuition (Out of State) $27,000 $30,700
Room & Board $9,900 $7,450
Avg Net Price $24,217 $19,825
Avg Grant Aid $14,211 $21,097
% Receiving Grant Aid 57% 100%

Admission

Thomas Aquinas College Dakota Wesleyan University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 262 1,209
Admitted 222 904
Acceptance Rate 84.7% 74.8%
Enrolled % 62.6% 18.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.8 3.36
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 27/32 18/24
SAT Range 1220/1410 950/1420
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 27, 2025

Academics

Thomas Aquinas College Dakota Wesleyan University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (100%)
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

Thomas Aquinas College Dakota Wesleyan University
Graduation Rate 69% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,700 $38,200
Making Student Loan Payments 90% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,000 $26,533
Median Loan Payment $175 $274

Diversity

Thomas Aquinas College Dakota Wesleyan University
% Men 48% 46%
% Women 52% 54%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 70% 88%
% Black 0% 2%
% Hispanic 15% 3%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 3%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 3% 0%

Students

Thomas Aquinas College Dakota Wesleyan University
% In-State 32% 61%
% Out-of-State 63% 35%

Campus

Thomas Aquinas College Dakota Wesleyan University
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

  • Dakota Wesleyan University is larger than than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (887 students vs. 516 students)

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Thomas Aquinas College or Dakota Wesleyan University?

  • Dakota Wesleyan University is 13.7% more expensive to attend than Thomas Aquinas College for in-state tuition ($30,700.00 vs. $27,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 13.7% higher at Dakota Wesleyan University than Thomas Aquinas College ($30,700.00 vs. $27,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dakota Wesleyan University than Thomas Aquinas College ($19,825 vs. $24,217)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 32.9% lower than costs at Thomas Aquinas College ($7,450 vs. $9,900)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Dakota Wesleyan University than Thomas Aquinas College (100% vs. 57%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Dakota Wesleyan University students is 48.5% larger than aid received Thomas Aquinas College ($21,097 vs. $14,211)

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Thomas Aquinas College 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 Thomas Aquinas College .

  • The average SAT score at Thomas Aquinas College (1280) is 298 points higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (982)
  • Incoming Thomas Aquinas College students have a 9 point higher average ACT score (30) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Thomas Aquinas College students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36)
  • Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (84.7%) than Dakota Wesleyan University (74.8%)

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Thomas Aquinas College 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 Thomas Aquinas College.

  • The graduation rate at Thomas Aquinas College is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University (69% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Thomas Aquinas College earn on average $7,500 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates after ten years. ($45,700 vs. $38,200)
  • Thomas Aquinas College students graduate with a $9,533 lower median federal student loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($17,000 vs. $26,533)
  • Thomas Aquinas College graduates are paying $99 less per month on federal student loans than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($175 vs. $274)
  • More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 71%)

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