Black Hills State University vs Dakota Wesleyan University
Black Hills State University is a public university in Spearfish, SD. Dakota Wesleyan University is a private university in Mitchell, SD. Dakota Wesleyan University admits about 73% of applicants and Black Hills State University about 96%, making Dakota Wesleyan University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $15,911 a year at Black Hills State University after aid, and about $19,735 at Dakota Wesleyan University. About 47% of students graduate at Dakota Wesleyan University, compared with 40% at Black Hills State University. Ten years after enrolling, Dakota Wesleyan University alumni earn a median of about $53,728, against $46,674 for Black Hills State University.
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Spearfish, SD
Mitchell, SD
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,928
670
Acceptance rate
96%
73%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.13–3.63
3.42–3.92
SAT (middle 50%)
965–1135
950–1420
ACT (middle 50%)
18–24
18–24
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$15,911
$19,735
Full cost / yr
$21,277
$43,864
In-state tuition
$8,764
$33,790
Out-of-state tuition
$11,866
$33,790
Application fee
$20
Not reported
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$11,863
$15,251
$30k - $48k
$13,379
$15,750
$48k - $75k
$15,588
$15,927
$75k - $110k
$18,072
$19,048
Over $110k
$18,604
$22,416
Outcomes
Graduation rate
40%
47%
Freshman retention
72%
75%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$38,927
$49,432
Median earnings (10 yr)
$46,674
$53,728
Median debt at graduation
$26,000
$27,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
20%
27%
First-generation students
28%
29%
International students
2%
3%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Black Hills State University or Dakota Wesleyan University harder to get into?
- Dakota Wesleyan University is harder to get into. It admits about 73% of applicants, compared with 96% at Black Hills State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Black Hills State University or Dakota Wesleyan University?
- Black Hills State University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $15,911 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $19,735 at Dakota Wesleyan University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Black Hills State University and Dakota Wesleyan University?
- Before aid, Black Hills State University costs about $21,277 a year and Dakota Wesleyan University about $43,864. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Black Hills State University or Dakota Wesleyan University?
- Black Hills State University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $11,863 there, against about $15,251 at Dakota Wesleyan University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Black Hills State University or Dakota Wesleyan University?
- Black Hills State University is the larger of the two, with about 1,928 undergraduates against 670 at Dakota Wesleyan University.
- Does Black Hills State University or Dakota Wesleyan University have a better graduation rate?
- Dakota Wesleyan University has the higher graduation rate, at about 47% against 40% at Black Hills State University.
- Do graduates of Black Hills State University or Dakota Wesleyan University earn more?
- Dakota Wesleyan University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $53,728 ten years after enrolling, against about $46,674 for Black Hills State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Black Hills State University and Dakota Wesleyan University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Black Hills State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Dakota Wesleyan University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Black Hills State University and Dakota Wesleyan University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 965–1135 at Black Hills State University and 950–1420 at Dakota Wesleyan University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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