SWU vs. Dakota Wesleyan University

Should I go to Southern Wesleyan University or Dakota Wesleyan University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if SWU 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Dakota State AU
Southern Wesleyan University vs. Dakota Wesleyan University comparison
Southern Wesleyan University Dakota Wesleyan University College 3 College 4
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

SWU Dakota Wesleyan University
Location Central, SC Mitchell, SD
Setting Distant Town Remote Town
Enrollment 1,175 887
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #826
Religious Affiliation Wesleyan United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website edu. dwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

SWU Dakota Wesleyan University
Tuition (In State) $26,520 $30,700
Tuition (Out of State) $26,520 $30,700
Room & Board $9,650 $7,450
Avg Net Price $17,639 $19,825
Avg Grant Aid $19,636 $21,097
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

SWU Dakota Wesleyan University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 846 1,209
Admitted 433 904
Acceptance Rate 51.2% 74.8%
Enrolled % 34.2% 18.6%
Avg High School GPA 4.0 3.36
Typical High School Grades A/A+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/23 18/24
SAT Range 1013/1160 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 27, 2024

Academics

SWU Dakota Wesleyan University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (66%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (3%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (3%)
  • Psychology (3%)
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

SWU Dakota Wesleyan University
Graduation Rate 42% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,800 $38,200
Making Student Loan Payments 50% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $26,533
Median Loan Payment $279 $274

Diversity

SWU Dakota Wesleyan University
% Men 33% 46%
% Women 67% 54%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 63% 88%
% Black 28% 2%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

SWU Dakota Wesleyan University
% In-State 58% 61%
% Out-of-State 42% 35%

Campus

SWU 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

  • Southern Wesleyan University is larger than than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (1,175 students vs. 887 students)

SWU vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

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

  • Dakota Wesleyan University is 15.8% more expensive to attend than SWU for in-state tuition ($30,700.00 vs. $26,520.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 15.8% higher at Dakota Wesleyan University than Southern Wesleyan University ($30,700.00 vs. $26,520.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Wesleyan University than Dakota Wesleyan University ($17,639 vs. $19,825)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 29.5% lower than costs at Southern Wesleyan University ($7,450 vs. $9,650)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University as Dakota Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Dakota Wesleyan University students is 7.4% larger than aid received Southern Wesleyan University ($21,097 vs. $19,636)

SWU vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SWU 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 SWU .

  • Accepted freshman SWU students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36)
  • Dakota Wesleyan University has a higher acceptance rate (74.8%) than SWU (51.2%)

SWU vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SWU 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 SWU.

  • The graduation rate at Dakota Wesleyan University is higher than Southern Wesleyan University (43% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn on average $6,600 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates after ten years. ($44,800 vs. $38,200)
  • Dakota Wesleyan University students graduate with a $467 lower median federal student loan debt than SWU graduates. ($26,533 vs. $27,000)
  • Dakota Wesleyan University graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than SWU graduates. ($274 vs. $279)
  • More Dakota Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 50%)

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