Dakota Wesleyan University vs South Dakota University
Dakota Wesleyan University and the University of South Dakota, both esteemed institutions in South Dakota, offer distinct educational experiences. Dakota Wesleyan, a private university, boasts a tight-knit community with a 98% acceptance rate, while the University of South Dakota, a public research university, has a broader reach with a 90% acceptance rate. Dakota Wesleyan's popular majors include Business, Education, and Nursing, while the University of South Dakota offers a wider range of programs, including Engineering, Law, and Medicine. Explore the comparison table to discover more about the student body demographics, graduation rates, and other key differences between these two universities to find the best fit for your academic aspirations.
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![]() Dakota Wesleyan University |
![]() University of South Dakota |
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Overview |
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Location | Mitchell, South Dakota | Vermillion, South Dakota |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | Town: Distant |
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% | 77.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 75.7% | 87.0% |
Application fees | $110 |
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
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SAT range | 860 - 1100 | 1050 - 1290 |
ACT range | 19 - 25 | 19 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 3.0% | 3.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 60.0% | 80.0% |
Total number of applicants | 1,047 | 4,272 |
Total number of admissions given out | 793 | 3,717 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 169 | 1,233 |
Yield rate | 21.3% | 33.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $43,080 |
In state:
$25,657
Out of state:
$29,167
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Average net price | $21,830 | $18,974 |
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:
$4,366
Meal plan:
$4,234
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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 |
84.0%
Average amount $5,196 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
92.0%
Average amount $5,049 |
60.0%
Average amount $5,102 |
Students taking out private loans |
26.0%
Average amount $13,323 |
14.0%
Average amount $9,890 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
770
Men 42.9% Women 57.1% |
6,987
Men 35.9% Women 64.1% |
Graduate students |
156
Men 35.3% Women 64.7% |
2,477
Men 37.2% Women 62.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 39.4% |
International students | 1.1% | 2.7% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 520 | 2,154 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | South Dakota Iowa Nebraska Minnesota Wisconsin |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 54.9% | 60.1% |
Dropout rate | 38.3% | 14.2% |
Transferred out | 6.9% | 24.5% |
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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Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
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