Academic Comparison between South Dakota State and Dakota Wesleyan

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

  • South Dakota State 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 South Dakota State ($12,809).
  • It is harder to admit to Dakota Wesleyan than South Dakota State.
  • South Dakota State has more students with 12,056 students while Dakota Wesleyan has 892 students.
  • Dakota Wesleyan has a lower number of students per faculty with 12 to 1 while South Dakota State's ratio is 17 to 1.
  • South Dakota State has more full-time faculties with 508 faculties while Dakota Wesleyan has 45 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

South Dakota State Universityvs.Dakota Wesleyan University
Brookings, South DakotaLocationMitchell, South Dakota
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Research University (high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Diverse Fields
In-State$9,299
Out-Of-State$12,809
2025 Tuition & Fees$33,790
66%% Receiving Financial Aid79%
$6,191Average Amount of Financial Aid$19,498
98.34 %Acceptance Rates73.38 %
34.06 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)20.98 %
1,130SAT Score-
22ACT Score-
62 %Graduation Rate48 %
-Transfer-out Rate1 %
84 %Retention Rate75 %
12,056Student Population892
508Number of Faculties45
17 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio12 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, 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