Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Dakota Wesleyan University

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

Minnesota State University-Mankato KU Dakota State Winona State University
Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Dakota Wesleyan University comparison
Southwest Minnesota State University Dakota Wesleyan University College 3 College 4
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Southwest Minnesota State University Dakota Wesleyan University
Location Marshall, MN Mitchell, SD
Setting Rural Fringe Remote Town
Enrollment 6,930 887
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #948
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website smsu.edu dwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southwest Minnesota State University Dakota Wesleyan University
Tuition (In State) $8,840 $30,700
Tuition (Out of State) $8,840 $30,700
Room & Board $9,258 $7,450
Avg Net Price $15,004 $19,825
Avg Grant Aid $7,389 $21,097
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 100%

Admission

Southwest Minnesota State University Dakota Wesleyan University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,558 1,209
Admitted 1,427 904
Acceptance Rate 91.6% 74.8%
Enrolled % 22.8% 18.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.21 3.36
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23 18/24
SAT Range 935/1102 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 18, 2024 Aug 27, 2024

Academics

Southwest Minnesota State University Dakota Wesleyan University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (39%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (4%)
  • Biology (4%)
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

Southwest Minnesota State University Dakota Wesleyan University
Graduation Rate 39% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $38,200
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,678 $26,533
Median Loan Payment $224 $274

Diversity

Southwest Minnesota State University Dakota Wesleyan University
% Men 38% 46%
% Women 62% 54%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 88%
% Black 5% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 5% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Southwest Minnesota State University Dakota Wesleyan University
% In-State 74% 61%
% Out-of-State 20% 35%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (6,930 students vs. 887 students)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwest Minnesota State University or Dakota Wesleyan University?

  • Dakota Wesleyan University is 247.3% more expensive to attend than Southwest Minnesota State University for in-state tuition ($30,700.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 247.3% higher at Dakota Wesleyan University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($30,700.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southwest Minnesota State University than Dakota Wesleyan University ($15,004 vs. $19,825)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 24.3% lower than costs at Southwest Minnesota State University ($7,450 vs. $9,258)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Dakota Wesleyan University than Southwest Minnesota State University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Dakota Wesleyan University students is 185.5% larger than aid received Southwest Minnesota State University ($21,097 vs. $7,389)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southwest Minnesota State University 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 Southwest Minnesota State University .

  • The average SAT score at Southwest Minnesota State University (1008) is 26 points higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (982)
  • Incoming Southwest Minnesota State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Dakota Wesleyan University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Dakota Wesleyan University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University has a higher acceptance rate (91.6%) than Dakota Wesleyan University (74.8%)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Dakota Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southwest Minnesota State University 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 Southwest Minnesota State University.

  • The graduation rate at Dakota Wesleyan University is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University (43% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Southwest Minnesota State University earn on average $3,000 more per year than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates after ten years. ($41,200 vs. $38,200)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University students graduate with a $4,855 lower median federal student loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($21,678 vs. $26,533)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are paying $50 less per month on federal student loans than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates. ($224 vs. $274)
  • More Dakota Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwest Minnesota State University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 66%)

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