Dakota Wesleyan University vs Martin Luther College
Dakota Wesleyan University and Martin Luther College, both located in South Dakota, offer distinct educational experiences. Dakota Wesleyan, a private university, boasts a higher acceptance rate (75%) compared to Martin Luther's selective admissions (58%). Dakota Wesleyan's student body is more diverse, with a larger population of female students and a higher percentage of international students. Martin Luther, a private liberal arts college affiliated with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, has a predominantly male student body and a strong emphasis on Christian values. While Dakota Wesleyan offers a wider range of undergraduate programs, including popular majors like business and nursing, Martin Luther focuses on liberal arts and teacher education. Both institutions have impressive graduation rates, with Dakota Wesleyan at 56% and Martin Luther at 68%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Dakota Wesleyan University |
![]() Martin Luther College |
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Overview |
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Location | Mitchell, South Dakota | New Ulm, Minnesota |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | Town: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 71.0% | 83.0% |
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Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | Evangelical |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 75.7% | 91.4% |
Application fees | $110 |
Undergraduate:
$35
Graduate:
$35
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SAT range | 860 - 1100 | 1080 - 1250 |
ACT range | 19 - 25 | 21 - 27 |
Students submitting SAT score | 3.0% | 12.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 60.0% | 75.0% |
Total number of applicants | 1,047 | 197 |
Total number of admissions given out | 793 | 180 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 169 | 151 |
Yield rate | 21.3% | 83.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $43,080 | $28,690 |
Average net price | $21,830 | $21,988 |
Tuition | $29,700 | $16,910 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$3,350
Meal plan:
$4,200
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$6,680 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $18,033 |
99.0%
Average amount $7,090 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
92.0%
Average amount $5,049 |
86.0%
Average amount $5,210 |
Students taking out private loans |
26.0%
Average amount $13,323 |
10.0%
Average amount $7,869 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
770
Men 42.9% Women 57.1% |
795
Men 48.1% Women 51.9% |
Graduate students |
156
Men 35.3% Women 64.7% |
125
Men 53.6% Women 46.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 86.0% |
International students | 1.1% | 2.6% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 520 | 725 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Wisconsin Michigan Minnesota California Colorado |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 12:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 54.9% | 74.8% |
Dropout rate | 38.3% | 25.2% |
Transferred out | 6.9% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Services, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other (Master's Degrees)
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Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Theological and Ministerial Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
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