Academic Comparison between BHSU and Dakota Wesleyan

Black Hills State University and Dakota Wesleyan University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. BHSU is a four-year, public school located in Spearfish, SD and Dakota Wesleyan is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Mitchell, SD.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • BHSU is a public and Dakota Wesleyan is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Dakota Wesleyan has more expensive tuition & fees ($33,790) than BHSU ($12,018).
  • It is harder to admit to Dakota Wesleyan than BHSU.
  • BHSU has more students with 3,346 students while Dakota Wesleyan has 892 students.
  • Dakota Wesleyan has a lower number of students per faculty with 12 to 1 while BHSU's ratio is 17 to 1.
  • BHSU has more full-time faculties with 107 faculties while Dakota Wesleyan has 45 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Black Hills State Universityvs.Dakota Wesleyan University
Spearfish, South DakotaLocationMitchell, South Dakota
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Master's College and University (smaller programs)Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Diverse Fields
In-State$8,916
Out-Of-State$12,018
2025 Tuition & Fees$33,790
41%% Receiving Financial Aid79%
$6,366Average Amount of Financial Aid$19,498
96.33 %Acceptance Rates73.38 %
30.10 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)20.98 %
1,060SAT Score-
21ACT Score-
43 %Graduation Rate48 %
-Transfer-out Rate1 %
72 %Retention Rate75 %
3,346Student Population892
107Number of Faculties45
17 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio12 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services