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Dakota Wesleyan University

Mitchell, South Dakota 57301-4398

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Campus Vibe

Tight-knitCollege town

Known for business — close-knit campus

Dakota Wesleyan University is a private institution in Mitchell with particular strength in business and health sciences.

A small campus of 661 undergraduates with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

46% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $53,728 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $19,300.

Established
1885
Motto
Sacrifice or Service
Type
Private university
Conference
National Association of
Division
Division II

Campus Visits

2 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, Apr 10 · Campus Tour
73%Acceptance
SAT Avg
661Students
12:1Student:Faculty
46%Grad Rate
$53,728Earnings 10yr
$19,300Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

Dakota Wesleyan University Launches New Data Science Minor

tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

Admissions

Acceptance Rate72.8%

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

72.8%

Trend

Yield Rate

35.0%

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$32,890
Room & Board$7,600
Books & Supplies$1,500
Total Cost of Attendance$42,473
Average Net Price$19,300
Median Debt at Graduation$27,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$286

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$14,366
$30–48K$14,704
$48–75K$17,457
$75–110K$20,297
$110K+$21,215

Financial Intel

Avg Net Price

$19,300

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

2200.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$19,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

4

Peer Average

3

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Programs (58)

Student Life

Student Body

Undergrads
661
Gender Split
53% / 47%
Women / Men
First Generation
29%
Pell Grant Recipients
26%

Race & Ethnicity

White 80%
Black 2%
Hispanic 9%
Asian 1%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate46.4%
Freshman Retention69.4%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$49,432
8 Years$51,754
10 Years$53,728

10-Year Earnings by Gender

Women
$37,800
Men
$44,700

Rankings

U.S. News
#45
Forbes
#52

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Tigers

History & Fun Facts

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

90Average

Estimated from SD state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Minneapolispop. 430K
252 mi(437 min)
Kansas Citypop. 500K
365 mi(633 min)
Denverpop. 710K
451 mi(782 min)

Getting There

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Dakota Wesleyan University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications