Wayne State College vs Dakota State
Wayne State College and Dakota State University, both public institutions in the Midwest, offer distinct educational experiences. Wayne State, located in Wayne, Nebraska, boasts a higher acceptance rate (88%) compared to Dakota State's 79% in Madison, South Dakota. While Dakota State excels in computer and information sciences, Wayne State offers a wider range of popular majors, including business, education, and health professions. Dakota State's student body is slightly more diverse, with international students comprising 10% of the population, while Wayne State's student body is predominantly White (86%). Both institutions boast impressive graduation rates, with Dakota State's reaching 58% and Wayne State's at 52%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Dakota State University |
![]() Wayne State College |
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Overview |
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Location | Madison, South Dakota | Wayne, Nebraska |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | Town: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 72.0% | 72.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 85.6% | Open Admission |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
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SAT range | 1000 - 1245 | N/A |
ACT range | 19 - 26 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 11.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 80.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 681 | |
Total number of admissions given out | 583 | |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 366 | |
Yield rate | 62.8% | |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | Not required |
High school GPA | Required | N/A |
Recommendation letters | Not required | N/A |
High school transcript | Required | N/A |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | N/A |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$24,073
Out of state:
$27,175
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$20,822 |
Average net price | $17,572 | $14,428 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,616
Out of state:
$10,718
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$5,700 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,116
Meal plan:
$3,308
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Room/dormitory:
$4,130
Meal plan:
$4,370
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
79.0%
Average amount $4,645 |
94.0%
Average amount $6,265 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
58.0%
Average amount $4,987 |
53.0%
Average amount $4,910 |
Students taking out private loans |
11.0%
Average amount $9,288 |
4.0%
Average amount $9,336 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,751
Men 60.9% Women 39.1% |
3,766
Men 41.0% Women 59.0% |
Graduate students |
468
Men 74.8% Women 25.2% |
814
Men 35.0% Women 65.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 15.0% |
International students | 4.5% | 2.3% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 925 | 1,556 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Nebraska Iowa South Dakota Minnesota Colorado |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 18:1 | 20:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 46.8% | 50.0% |
Dropout rate | 49.8% | 14.1% |
Transferred out | N/A | 34.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Software and Media Applications (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
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Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
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