Nebraska vs. Dakota Wesleyan University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Nebraska Lincoln in Lincoln, NE with Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Nebraska Lincoln is larger than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (24,393 students vs. 892 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Nebraska Lincoln is located in Lincoln, NE (Large City setting); Dakota Wesleyan University is in Mitchell, SD (Remote Town setting).
• University of Nebraska Lincoln is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dakota Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Nebraska Lincoln 17:1; Dakota Wesleyan University 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 42.6% lower than at University of Nebraska Lincoln ($8,100 vs. $14,120).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.2% higher at Dakota Wesleyan University than at University of Nebraska Lincoln (about $5,206 more per year; $33,790 vs. $28,584).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dakota Wesleyan University than at University of Nebraska Lincoln (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dakota Wesleyan University students is 98.4% larger than aid received by University of Nebraska Lincoln students ($20,910 vs. $10,541).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Nebraska than at Dakota Wesleyan University (25 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Nebraska, test-free at Dakota Wesleyan University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Nebraska May 1, 2027; Dakota Wesleyan University Aug 27, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Nebraska average a 3.63 high school GPA, 0.27 higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.8% at Nebraska vs. 21% at Dakota Wesleyan University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nebraska Lincoln graduates have a $4,833 lower median loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates ($21,700 vs. $26,533).
• Among borrowers, Nebraska graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates ($224 vs. $274).
• More Nebraska graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation (73% vs. 71%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.