Dakota Wesleyan University vs South Dakota State University (SDSU)
Dakota Wesleyan University and South Dakota State University, both located in South Dakota, offer distinct educational experiences. Dakota Wesleyan, a private institution, boasts a smaller student body and a higher acceptance rate compared to South Dakota State, a public research university. While Dakota Wesleyan excels in liberal arts and education programs, South Dakota State is renowned for its agriculture, engineering, and nursing programs. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further differences, including graduation rates, student demographics, and available majors, to determine which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Dakota Wesleyan University |
![]() South Dakota State University |
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Overview |
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Location | Mitchell, South Dakota | Brookings, South Dakota |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | Town: Remote |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 71.0% | 80.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 75.7% | 87.4% |
Application fees | $110 |
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
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SAT range | 860 - 1100 | 980 - 1220 |
ACT range | 19 - 25 | 19 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 3.0% | 3.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 60.0% | 86.0% |
Total number of applicants | 1,047 | 5,774 |
Total number of admissions given out | 793 | 5,048 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 169 | 2,019 |
Yield rate | 21.3% | 40.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $43,080 |
In state:
$24,304
Out of state:
$27,814
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Average net price | $21,830 | $17,859 |
Tuition | $29,700 |
In state:
$7,773
Out of state:
$11,283
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$3,350
Meal plan:
$4,200
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Room/dormitory:
$4,054
Meal plan:
$4,082
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $18,033 |
81.0%
Average amount $4,747 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
92.0%
Average amount $5,049 |
60.0%
Average amount $5,063 |
Students taking out private loans |
26.0%
Average amount $13,323 |
17.0%
Average amount $9,956 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
770
Men 42.9% Women 57.1% |
9,847
Men 45.2% Women 54.8% |
Graduate students |
156
Men 35.3% Women 64.7% |
1,618
Men 37.3% Women 62.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 1.1% | 5.1% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | Town: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 520 | 4,488 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 54.9% | 59.5% |
Dropout rate | 38.3% | 38.9% |
Transferred out | 6.9% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Services, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other (Master's Degrees)
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Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (First Professional Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Plant Sciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
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