Westmont College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University

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

 Westmont College Dakota Wesleyan University
Location Santa Barbara, CA Mitchell, SD
Setting Midsize Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 1,284 887
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #146
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website westmont.edu dwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Westmont College Dakota Wesleyan University
Tuition (In State) $48,840 $30,700
Tuition (Out of State) $48,840 $30,700
Room & Board $15,760 $7,450
Avg Net Price $33,112 $19,825
Avg Grant Aid $33,900 $21,097
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 100%

Admission

 Westmont College Dakota Wesleyan University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,326 1,209
Admitted 1,907 904
Acceptance Rate 82% 74.8%
Enrolled % 16.5% 18.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.59 3.36
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Exceptional Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 30/33 18/24
SAT Range 1280/1458 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 Aug 27, 2025

Academics

 Westmont College Dakota Wesleyan University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • English and Literature (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

 Westmont College Dakota Wesleyan University
Graduation Rate 77% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,600 $38,200
Making Student Loan Payments 86% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,123 $26,533
Median Loan Payment $259 $274

Diversity

 Westmont College Dakota Wesleyan University
% Men 39% 46%
% Women 61% 54%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 64% 88%
% Black 1% 2%
% Hispanic 15% 3%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 3%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 0%

Students

 Westmont College Dakota Wesleyan University
% In-State 65% 61%
% Out-of-State 33% 35%

Campus

 Westmont 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

  • Westmont College is larger than than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (1,284 students vs. 887 students)

Westmont College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

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

  • Westmont College is 59.1% more expensive to attend than Dakota Wesleyan University for in-state tuition ($48,840.00 vs. $30,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 59.1% higher at Westmont College than Dakota Wesleyan University ($48,840.00 vs. $30,700.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dakota Wesleyan University than Westmont College ($19,825 vs. $33,112)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 111.5% lower than costs at Westmont College ($7,450 vs. $15,760)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Dakota Wesleyan University than Westmont College (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Westmont College students is 60.7% larger than aid received Dakota Wesleyan University ($33,900 vs. $21,097)

Westmont College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Westmont 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 Westmont College .

  • The average SAT score at Westmont College (1179) is 197 points higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (982)
  • Incoming Westmont College students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Westmont College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36)
  • Westmont College has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than Dakota Wesleyan University (74.8%)

Westmont College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Westmont 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 Westmont College.

  • The graduation rate at Westmont College is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University (77% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Westmont College earn on average $16,400 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates after ten years. ($54,600 vs. $38,200)
  • Westmont College students graduate with a $1,410 lower median federal student loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($25,123 vs. $26,533)
  • Westmont College graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($259 vs. $274)
  • More Westmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 71%)

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