McPherson College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University

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

 McPherson College Dakota Wesleyan University
Location McPherson, KS Mitchell, SD
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 822 887
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Church of Brethren United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcpherson.edu dwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 McPherson College Dakota Wesleyan University
Tuition (In State) $32,494 $30,700
Tuition (Out of State) $32,494 $30,700
Room & Board $9,918 $7,450
Avg Net Price $25,065 $19,825
Avg Grant Aid $21,916 $21,097
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 McPherson College Dakota Wesleyan University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,445 1,209
Admitted 952 904
Acceptance Rate 65.9% 74.8%
Enrolled % 26.3% 18.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.36
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/23 18/24
SAT Range 908/1120 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 1, 2024 Aug 27, 2024

Academics

 McPherson College Dakota Wesleyan University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Engineering Technology (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

 McPherson College Dakota Wesleyan University
Graduation Rate 46% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,200 $38,200
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $26,533
Median Loan Payment $268 $274

Diversity

 McPherson College Dakota Wesleyan University
% Men 67% 46%
% Women 33% 54%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 70% 88%
% Black 10% 2%
% Hispanic 12% 3%
% Native American 1% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

 McPherson College Dakota Wesleyan University
% In-State 31% 61%
% Out-of-State 62% 35%

Campus

 McPherson College Dakota Wesleyan University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Dakota Wesleyan University is larger than than McPherson College based on total student enrollment (887 students vs. 822 students)

McPherson College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

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

  • McPherson College is 5.8% more expensive to attend than Dakota Wesleyan University for in-state tuition ($32,494.00 vs. $30,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.8% higher at McPherson College than Dakota Wesleyan University ($32,494.00 vs. $30,700.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dakota Wesleyan University than McPherson College ($19,825 vs. $25,065)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 33.1% lower than costs at McPherson College ($7,450 vs. $9,918)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at McPherson College as Dakota Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McPherson College students is 3.9% larger than aid received Dakota Wesleyan University ($21,916 vs. $21,097)

McPherson College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Dakota Wesleyan University (982) is 42 points higher than at McPherson College (940)
  • Incoming Dakota Wesleyan University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at McPherson College (20)
  • Accepted freshman Dakota Wesleyan University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at McPherson College (3.33)
  • Dakota Wesleyan University has a higher acceptance rate (74.8%) than McPherson College (65.9%)

McPherson College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, McPherson 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 McPherson College.

  • The graduation rate at McPherson College is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University (46% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from McPherson College earn on average $6,000 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates after ten years. ($44,200 vs. $38,200)
  • McPherson College students graduate with a $533 lower median federal student loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $26,533)
  • McPherson College graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($268 vs. $274)
  • More Dakota Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McPherson College students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 67%)

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