WCU vs. Dakota State

Should I go to Western Carolina University or Dakota State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WCU or Dakota State 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

ECU ASU UNC Charlotte UNCW South Dakota State University University of North Carolina at Asheville ETSU UNCG NC State UNC Chapel Hill University of North Carolina at Pembroke BYU
Western Carolina University vs. Dakota State University comparison
Western Carolina University Dakota State University College 3 College 4
Western Carolina University Dakota State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 WCU Dakota State
Location Cullowhee, NC Madison, SD
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 11,635 3,241
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #763 #808
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcu.edu dsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 WCU Dakota State
Tuition (In State) $1,000 $7,616
Tuition (Out of State) $5,000 $10,718
Room & Board $11,173 $8,018
Avg Net Price $13,022 $17,977
Avg Grant Aid $4,526 $5,467
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 92%

Admission

 WCU Dakota State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,917 882
Admitted 15,201 696
Acceptance Rate 84.8% 78.9%
Enrolled % 12.7% 53.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.44 3.33
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/26 19/27
SAT Range 1020/1240 940/1240
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 Mar 1, 2025

Academics

 WCU Dakota State
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (28%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (22%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (3%)

Outcomes

 WCU Dakota State
Graduation Rate 50% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,100 $42,200
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 67%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,010 $23,500
Median Loan Payment $227 $242

Diversity

 WCU Dakota State
% Men 41% 64%
% Women 59% 36%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 84%
% Black 6% 4%
% Hispanic 6% 4%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

 WCU Dakota State
% In-State 80% 58%
% Out-of-State 18% 39%

Campus

 WCU Dakota State
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Carolina University is larger than than Dakota State based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 3,241 students)

WCU vs. Dakota State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU or Dakota State?

  • Dakota State University is 661.6% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($7,616.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 114.4% higher at Dakota State than Western Carolina University ($10,718.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Dakota State ($13,022 vs. $17,977)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 39.3% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($8,018 vs. $11,173)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than Dakota State University (99% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Dakota State University students is 20.8% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($5,467 vs. $4,526)

WCU vs. Dakota State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WCU or Dakota State? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Dakota State or WCU .

  • The average SAT score at Dakota State University (1047) is 15 points higher than at WCU (1032)
  • Incoming Dakota State students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at WCU (22)
  • Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Dakota State (3.33)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Dakota State (78.9%)

WCU vs. Dakota State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WCU or Dakota State? 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 State and WCU.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Dakota State University (50% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Dakota State University earn on average $3,100 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($42,200 vs. $39,100)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $1,490 lower median federal student loan debt than Dakota State graduates. ($22,010 vs. $23,500)
  • WCU graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than Dakota State graduates. ($227 vs. $242)
  • More Dakota State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 58%)

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