Northwestern College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University

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

 Northwestern College Dakota Wesleyan University
Location Saint Paul, MN Mitchell, SD
Setting Large Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 3,253 887
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #554
Religious Affiliation Other Protestant United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nwc.edu dwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Northwestern College Dakota Wesleyan University
Tuition (In State) $34,490 $30,700
Tuition (Out of State) $34,490 $30,700
Room & Board $10,644 $7,450
Avg Net Price $25,704 $19,825
Avg Grant Aid $20,487 $21,097
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 Northwestern College Dakota Wesleyan University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,349 1,209
Admitted 1,248 904
Acceptance Rate 92.5% 74.8%
Enrolled % 31.9% 18.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.58 3.36
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 18/24
SAT Range 1015/1311 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

 Northwestern College Dakota Wesleyan University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (22%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

 Northwestern College Dakota Wesleyan University
Graduation Rate 64% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,100 $38,200
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,070 $26,533
Median Loan Payment $228 $274

Diversity

 Northwestern College Dakota Wesleyan University
% Men 39% 46%
% Women 61% 54%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 84% 88%
% Black 3% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

 Northwestern College Dakota Wesleyan University
% In-State 77% 61%
% Out-of-State 22% 35%

Campus

 Northwestern 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

  • Northwestern College is larger than than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (3,253 students vs. 887 students)

Northwestern College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

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

  • Northwestern College is 12.3% more expensive to attend than Dakota Wesleyan University for in-state tuition ($34,490.00 vs. $30,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 12.3% higher at Northwestern College than Dakota Wesleyan University ($34,490.00 vs. $30,700.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dakota Wesleyan University than Northwestern College ($19,825 vs. $25,704)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 42.9% lower than costs at Northwestern College ($7,450 vs. $10,644)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northwestern College as Dakota Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Dakota Wesleyan University students is 3% larger than aid received Northwestern College ($21,097 vs. $20,487)

Northwestern College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northwestern College (1102) is 120 points higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (982)
  • Incoming Northwestern College students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36)
  • Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than Dakota Wesleyan University (74.8%)

Northwestern College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northwestern 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 Northwestern College.

  • The graduation rate at Northwestern College is higher than Dakota Wesleyan University (64% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Northwestern College earn on average $2,900 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates after ten years. ($41,100 vs. $38,200)
  • Northwestern College students graduate with a $4,463 lower median federal student loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($22,070 vs. $26,533)
  • Northwestern College graduates are paying $46 less per month on federal student loans than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($228 vs. $274)
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 71%)

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