WSC vs. Dakota Wesleyan University

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

 WSC Dakota Wesleyan University
Location Wayne, NE Mitchell, SD
Setting Rural Fringe Remote Town
Enrollment 4,773 887
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wsc.edu dwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 WSC Dakota Wesleyan University
Tuition (In State) $5,700 $30,700
Tuition (Out of State) $5,700 $30,700
Room & Board $8,870 $7,450
Avg Net Price $14,271 $19,825
Avg Grant Aid $7,838 $21,097
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 100%

Admission

 WSC Dakota Wesleyan University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 1,209
Admitted - 904
Acceptance Rate Open 74.8%
Enrolled % Open 18.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.36 3.36
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 950/1420
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 27, 2025

Academics

 WSC Dakota Wesleyan University
Student to Faculty Ratio 22:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (30%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

 WSC Dakota Wesleyan University
Graduation Rate 51% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,400 $38,200
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,050 $26,533
Median Loan Payment $207 $274

Diversity

 WSC Dakota Wesleyan University
% Men 40% 46%
% Women 60% 54%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 88%
% Black 3% 2%
% Hispanic 7% 3%
% Native American 1% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 3% 0%

Students

 WSC Dakota Wesleyan University
% In-State 81% 61%
% Out-of-State 15% 35%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Wayne State College is larger than than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (4,773 students vs. 887 students)

WSC vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

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

  • Dakota Wesleyan University is 438.6% more expensive to attend than WSC for in-state tuition ($30,700.00 vs. $5,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 438.6% higher at Dakota Wesleyan University than Wayne State College ($30,700.00 vs. $5,700.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wayne State College than Dakota Wesleyan University ($14,271 vs. $19,825)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 19.1% lower than costs at Wayne State College ($7,450 vs. $8,870)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Dakota Wesleyan University than Wayne State College (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Dakota Wesleyan University students is 169.2% larger than aid received Wayne State College ($21,097 vs. $7,838)

Which college is harder to get into, WSC 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 WSC .

  • Accepted freshman WSC students have at the same average high school GPA (3.36) as students at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36)

WSC vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WSC 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 WSC.

  • The graduation rate at WSC is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University (51% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Wayne State College earn on average $1,200 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates after ten years. ($39,400 vs. $38,200)
  • Wayne State College students graduate with a $6,483 lower median federal student loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($20,050 vs. $26,533)
  • WSC graduates are paying $67 less per month on federal student loans than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($207 vs. $274)
  • More Dakota Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSC students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 67%)

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