Umary vs. Dakota Wesleyan University

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

 Umary Dakota Wesleyan University
Location Bismarck, ND Mitchell, SD
Setting Rural Fringe Remote Town
Enrollment 3,794 886
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #346
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website umary.edu dwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Umary Dakota Wesleyan University
Tuition (In State) $19,084 $31,700
Tuition (Out of State) $19,084 $31,700
Room & Board $8,506 $7,600
Avg Net Price $19,225 $21,901
Avg Grant Aid $13,664 $20,598
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 Umary Dakota Wesleyan University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,577 1,153
Admitted 1,234 839
Acceptance Rate 78.2% 72.8%
Enrolled % 45.3% 21.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.37 3.36
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/27 18/24
SAT Range 1096/1320 950/1420
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Sep 30, 2025 Aug 27, 2026

Academics

 Umary Dakota Wesleyan University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (41%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (6%)
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

 Umary Dakota Wesleyan University
Graduation Rate 52% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $51,900 $38,200
Making Student Loan Payments 76% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $26,533
Median Loan Payment $232 $274

Diversity

 Umary Dakota Wesleyan University
% Men 10% 7%
% Women 20% 6%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 84% 88%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 2% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 0%

Students

 Umary Dakota Wesleyan University
% In-State 34% 61%
% Out-of-State 64% 35%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Mary is larger than than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (3,794 students vs. 886 students)

Umary vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Umary or Dakota Wesleyan University?

  • Dakota Wesleyan University is 66.1% more expensive to attend than Umary for in-state tuition ($31,700.00 vs. $19,084.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 66.1% higher at Dakota Wesleyan University than University of Mary ($31,700.00 vs. $19,084.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Mary than Dakota Wesleyan University ($19,225 vs. $21,901)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 11.9% lower than costs at University of Mary ($7,600 vs. $8,506)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at University of Mary as Dakota Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Dakota Wesleyan University students is 50.7% larger than aid received University of Mary ($20,598 vs. $13,664)

Umary vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Umary 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 Umary .

  • The average SAT score at University of Mary (1066) is 84 points higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (982)
  • Incoming Umary students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Umary students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36)
  • Umary has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than Dakota Wesleyan University (72.8%)

Umary vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Umary 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 Umary.

  • The graduation rate at Umary is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University (52% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from University of Mary earn on average $13,700 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates after ten years. ($51,900 vs. $38,200)
  • University of Mary students graduate with a $4,033 lower median federal student loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($22,500 vs. $26,533)
  • Umary graduates are paying $42 less per month on federal student loans than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($232 vs. $274)
  • More Umary graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 71%)

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