Westmont College vs. Dakota Wesleyan University

Comparable Facts

Compare Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA with Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Westmont College is larger than Dakota Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (1,310 students vs. 892 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Westmont College is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Dakota Wesleyan University is in Mitchell, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dakota Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Westmont College 10:1; Dakota Wesleyan University 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota Wesleyan University are 52.2% lower than at Westmont College ($8,100 vs. $16,960).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.6% higher at Westmont College than at Dakota Wesleyan University (about $19,794 more per year; $53,584 vs. $33,790).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College as at Dakota Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westmont College students is 86.3% larger than aid received by Dakota Wesleyan University students ($38,956 vs. $20,910).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 7 points higher at Westmont College than at Dakota Wesleyan University (28 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Westmont College, test-free at Dakota Wesleyan University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dakota Wesleyan University Aug 27, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Westmont College average a 3.59 high school GPA, 0.23 higher than at Dakota Wesleyan University (3.36).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at Westmont College vs. 21% at Dakota Wesleyan University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Westmont College graduates have a $1,410 lower median loan debt than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates ($25,123 vs. $26,533).
• Among borrowers, Westmont College graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dakota Wesleyan University graduates ($259 vs. $274).
• More Westmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dakota Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 71%).

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