Dakota Wesleyan University vs. USD

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

Dakota Wesleyan University USD
Location Mitchell, SD Vermillion, SD
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 887 9,856
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #597
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website dwu.edu usd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Dakota Wesleyan University USD
Tuition (In State) $30,700 $7,773
Tuition (Out of State) $30,700 $11,283
Room & Board $7,450 $8,224
Avg Net Price $19,825 $18,378
Avg Grant Aid $21,097 $6,308
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 79%

Admission

Dakota Wesleyan University USD
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,209 4,480
Admitted 904 4,456
Acceptance Rate 74.8% 99.5%
Enrolled % 18.6% 29.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.36 3.43
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 19/25
SAT Range 950/1420 1020/1300
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, 2024

Academics

Dakota Wesleyan University USD
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Health Professions (32%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Dakota Wesleyan University USD
Graduation Rate 43% 47%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,200 $48,200
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 70%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,533 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $274 $258

Diversity

Dakota Wesleyan University USD
% Men 46% 37%
% Women 54% 63%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 88% 85%
% Black 2% 3%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 2% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

Dakota Wesleyan University USD
% In-State 61% 54%
% Out-of-State 35% 43%

Campus

Dakota Wesleyan University USD
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 South Dakota is larger than than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (9,856 students vs. 887 students)

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. USD Cost Comparison

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

  • Dakota Wesleyan University is 295% more expensive to attend than USD for in-state tuition ($30,700.00 vs. $7,773.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 172.1% higher at Dakota Wesleyan University than University of South Dakota ($30,700.00 vs. $11,283.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Dakota than Dakota Wesleyan University ($18,378 vs. $19,825)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 10.4% lower than costs at University of South Dakota ($7,450 vs. $8,224)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Dakota Wesleyan University than University of South Dakota (100% vs. 79%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Dakota Wesleyan University students is 234.4% larger than aid received University of South Dakota ($21,097 vs. $6,308)

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. USD Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of South Dakota (1049) is 67 points higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (982)
  • Incoming USD students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (21)
  • Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36)
  • USD has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Dakota Wesleyan University (74.8%)

Dakota Wesleyan University vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Dakota Wesleyan University or USD? 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 USD and Dakota Wesleyan University.

  • The graduation rate at USD is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University (47% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from University of South Dakota earn on average $10,000 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates after ten years. ($48,200 vs. $38,200)
  • University of South Dakota students graduate with a $1,533 lower median federal student loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $26,533)
  • USD graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($258 vs. $274)
  • More Dakota Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 70%)

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