MLC vs. Dakota State

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

 MLC Dakota State
Location New Ulm, MN Madison, SD
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 880 3,241
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #808
Religious Affiliation Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mlc-wels.edu dsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 MLC Dakota State
Tuition (In State) $17,420 $7,616
Tuition (Out of State) $17,420 $10,718
Room & Board $6,880 $8,018
Avg Net Price $22,293 $17,977
Avg Grant Aid $6,301 $5,467
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 92%

Admission

 MLC Dakota State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 215 882
Admitted 180 696
Acceptance Rate 83.7% 78.9%
Enrolled % 78.9% 53.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.56 3.33
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 19/27
SAT Range 1051/1316 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

Academics

 MLC Dakota State
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (67%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (33%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (28%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (22%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (3%)

Outcomes

 MLC Dakota State
Graduation Rate 73% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,000 $42,200
Making Student Loan Payments 89% 67%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,125 $23,500
Median Loan Payment $239 $242

Diversity

 MLC Dakota State
% Men 47% 64%
% Women 53% 36%
Racial Diversity Extremely Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 93% 84%
% Black 1% 4%
% Hispanic 1% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

 MLC Dakota State
% In-State 20% 58%
% Out-of-State 78% 39%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Dakota State University is larger than than MLC based on total student enrollment (3,241 students vs. 880 students)

MLC vs. Dakota State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MLC or Dakota State?

  • Martin Luther College is 128.7% more expensive to attend than Dakota State for in-state tuition ($17,420.00 vs. $7,616.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 62.5% higher at MLC than Dakota State University ($17,420.00 vs. $10,718.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dakota State University than MLC ($17,977 vs. $22,293)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Martin Luther College are 16.5% lower than costs at Dakota State University ($6,880 vs. $8,018)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Martin Luther College than Dakota State University (99% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Martin Luther College students is 15.3% larger than aid received Dakota State University ($6,301 vs. $5,467)

MLC vs. Dakota State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Martin Luther College (1145) is 98 points higher than at Dakota State (1047)
  • Incoming MLC students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Dakota State (23)
  • Accepted freshman MLC students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Dakota State (3.33)
  • MLC has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than Dakota State (78.9%)

MLC vs. Dakota State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, MLC 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 MLC.

  • The graduation rate at MLC is higher than Dakota State University (73% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Dakota State University earn on average $4,200 more per year than MLC graduates after ten years. ($42,200 vs. $38,000)
  • Martin Luther College students graduate with a $375 lower median federal student loan debt than Dakota State graduates. ($23,125 vs. $23,500)
  • MLC graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than Dakota State graduates. ($239 vs. $242)
  • More MLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota State students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 67%)

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