University of St Thomas vs. Dakota Wesleyan University

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

University of St Thomas Dakota Wesleyan University
Location Saint Paul, MN Mitchell, SD
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 9,025 887
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #179
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website stthomas.edu dwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of St Thomas Dakota Wesleyan University
Tuition (In State) $48,930 $30,700
Tuition (Out of State) $48,930 $30,700
Room & Board $12,587 $7,450
Avg Net Price $30,137 $19,825
Avg Grant Aid $32,284 $21,097
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 100%

Admission

University of St Thomas Dakota Wesleyan University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,481 1,209
Admitted 7,300 904
Acceptance Rate 77% 74.8%
Enrolled % 21.5% 18.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.63 3.36
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 24/29 18/24
SAT Range 1200/1390 950/1420
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 Jan 15, 2025 Aug 27, 2025

Academics

University of St Thomas Dakota Wesleyan University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (44%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (6%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

University of St Thomas Dakota Wesleyan University
Graduation Rate 74% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $62,000 $38,200
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $26,533
Median Loan Payment $268 $274

Diversity

University of St Thomas Dakota Wesleyan University
% Men 49% 46%
% Women 51% 54%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 81% 88%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

University of St Thomas Dakota Wesleyan University
% In-State 78% 61%
% Out-of-State 18% 35%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of St Thomas is larger than than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (9,025 students vs. 887 students)

University of St Thomas vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of St Thomas or Dakota Wesleyan University?

  • University of St Thomas is 59.4% more expensive to attend than Dakota Wesleyan University for in-state tuition ($48,930.00 vs. $30,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 59.4% higher at University of St Thomas than Dakota Wesleyan University ($48,930.00 vs. $30,700.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dakota Wesleyan University than University of St Thomas ($19,825 vs. $30,137)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 69% lower than costs at University of St Thomas ($7,450 vs. $12,587)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Dakota Wesleyan University than University of St Thomas (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of St Thomas students is 53% larger than aid received Dakota Wesleyan University ($32,284 vs. $21,097)

University of St Thomas vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of St Thomas 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 University of St Thomas .

  • The average SAT score at University of St Thomas (1202) is 220 points higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (982)
  • Incoming University of St Thomas students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (21)
  • Accepted freshman University of St Thomas students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36)
  • University of St Thomas has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Dakota Wesleyan University (74.8%)

University of St Thomas vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of St Thomas 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 University of St Thomas.

  • The graduation rate at University of St Thomas is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University (74% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from University of St Thomas earn on average $23,800 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates after ten years. ($62,000 vs. $38,200)
  • University of St Thomas students graduate with a $533 lower median federal student loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $26,533)
  • University of St Thomas graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($268 vs. $274)
  • More University of St Thomas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 71%)

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