Academic Comparison between NSU and Dakota Wesleyan

Northern State University and Dakota Wesleyan University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. NSU is a four-year, public school located in Aberdeen, 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.

  • NSU 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 NSU ($11,947).
  • It is harder to admit to Dakota Wesleyan than NSU.
  • NSU has more students with 3,708 students while Dakota Wesleyan has 892 students.
  • Dakota Wesleyan has a lower number of students per faculty with 12 to 1 while NSU's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • NSU has more full-time faculties with 87 faculties while Dakota Wesleyan has 45 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
NSU Dakota Wesleyan
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Northern State Universityvs.Dakota Wesleyan University
Aberdeen, 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$8,845
Out-Of-State$11,947
2025 Tuition & Fees$33,790
35%% Receiving Financial Aid79%
$7,194Average Amount of Financial Aid$19,498
93.00 %Acceptance Rates73.38 %
35.25 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)20.98 %
1,060SAT Score-
21ACT Score-
49 %Graduation Rate48 %
8 %Transfer-out Rate1 %
77 %Retention Rate75 %
3,708Student Population892
87Number of Faculties45
19 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio12 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, 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