Head-to-head · 2026
Dakota Wesleyan University vs University of South Dakota
Compare average net price ($19,735 at Dakota Wesleyan University; $19,858 at University of South Dakota), ROI score (6.81 vs 6.54), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($53,728 vs $51,926), and admissions selectivity (73.4% acceptance at Dakota Wesleyan University; 98.8% at University of South Dakota) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Dakota Wesleyan University | University of South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 6.81 ✓ | 6.54 |
| Avg net price | $19,735 ✓ | $19,858 |
| 4-year avg net price | $78,940 ✓ | $79,432 |
| In-state tuition | $33,790 | $9,432 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $33,790 | $12,942 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $53,728 ✓ | $51,926 |
| Acceptance rate | 73.4% | 98.8% |
| Graduation rate | 48.3% | 59.9% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 75.1% | 79.3% ✓ |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $23,592 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 670 | 5,439 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1125 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Dakota Wesleyan University | University of South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $15,251 | $14,921 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $15,750 ✓ | $15,942 |
| Family income $48–75k | $15,927 ✓ | $18,540 |
| Family income $75–110k | $19,048 ✓ | $21,202 |
| Family income $110k+ | $22,416 | $22,193 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Dakota Wesleyan University | University of South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 25.7% | 7.4% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 17.4% | 7.6% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 5.2% | 5.2% |
| Psychology, General | 6.5% | 3.6% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 2.6% | 3.8% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 2.2% | 3.8% |
| Biology, General | 1.7% | 4.2% |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 3% | 2.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Dakota Wesleyan University reports the lower average net price by $123 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $492 difference over four years ($78,940 vs $79,432).
Dakota Wesleyan University reports $1,802 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($53,728 vs $51,926). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 75.1% at Dakota Wesleyan University and 79.3% at University of South Dakota. Median federal debt among completers is $27,000 vs $23,592, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Dakota Wesleyan University vs University of South Dakota, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Dakota Wesleyan University is cheaper — average net price $19,735 per year vs $19,858 at University of South Dakota. The annual difference of $123 adds up to about $492 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Dakota Wesleyan University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $53,728 vs $51,926 at University of South Dakota. The gap in the federal data is $1,802. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Dakota Wesleyan University is more selective at 73.4% acceptance vs 98.8% at University of South Dakota.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.