Carleton College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University

Comparable Facts

Compare Carleton College in Northfield, MN with Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Carleton College is larger than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 892 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Dakota Wesleyan University is in Mitchell, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dakota Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Dakota Wesleyan University 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 53.9% lower than at Carleton College ($8,100 vs. $17,586).
• Out-of-state tuition is 103.9% higher at Carleton College than at Dakota Wesleyan University (about $35,102 more per year; $68,892 vs. $33,790).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dakota Wesleyan University than at Carleton College (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 171.9% larger than aid received by Dakota Wesleyan University students ($56,846 vs. $20,910).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 12 points higher at Carleton College than at Dakota Wesleyan University (33 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Carleton College, test-free at Dakota Wesleyan University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Dakota Wesleyan University Aug 27, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Carleton College average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.54 higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 21% at Dakota Wesleyan University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $7,033 lower median loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,533).
• Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates ($201 vs. $274).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 71%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.