Dakota Wesleyan University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Dakota Wesleyan University is a private research university in Mitchell, South Dakota, enrolling about 670 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 73.38% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $53,728 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $33,790
- 2024 Average Net Price: $19,735 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 73.38% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 670 96.1% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 48.32%
- Carnegie Classification: Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions
- First-Generation Students: 28.9%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 3.1% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 15.8% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 52.2%
- Average ACT Score: 22
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 832
- Applicants (IPEDS): 1,153
- Room & Board: $8,100 annual estimate
Dakota Wesleyan University: what the data shows
Common questions about Dakota Wesleyan University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Dakota Wesleyan University?
Dakota Wesleyan University is located in Mitchell, SD (ZIP 57301-4398).
NCES locale classification: Town remote.
Is Dakota Wesleyan University public or private?
Dakota Wesleyan University is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Dakota Wesleyan University cost?
Published tuition: $33,790.
Average net price after aid: $19,735.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $15,251 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $15,750 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $15,927 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $19,048 |
| $110,001+ | $22,416 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $135,160.
How hard is it to get into Dakota Wesleyan University?
Admission rate: 73.38%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: midpoint ACT 22.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Dakota Wesleyan University?
Total enrollment: 670 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 832 students.
Graduate enrollment: 121 students.
About 96% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Dakota Wesleyan University?
150%-time completion rate: 48.32%.
First-year retention: 75.1%.
What do graduates of Dakota Wesleyan University earn?
Median earnings: $49,432 six years after entry; $53,728 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $27,000.
27.12% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Dakota Wesleyan University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other (46 completions)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (42 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (19 completions)
- Elementary Education and Teaching (13 completions)
- Education, General (10 completions)
- Biochemistry (10 completions)
- Digital Arts (10 completions)
- Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies (10 completions)
- Criminal Justice/Safety Studies (9 completions)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (6 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Dakota Wesleyan University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 73.38%; completion rate 48.32%; median earnings $53,728 at 10 years; net price $19,735. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$33,790
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Dakota Wesleyan University was $33,790.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$19,735
2024 Value
In 2024 Dakota Wesleyan University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $19,735.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$78,940 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$19,735 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$135,160 4-Year Tuition
$8,100 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,500 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$43,390 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$173,560 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Dakota Wesleyan University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
27.12% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
72.75% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Dakota Wesleyan University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Dakota Wesleyan University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $22,700 | $22,700 | $16,484 |
| 2014 | $23,650 | $23,650 | $17,186 |
| 2015 | $24,800 | $24,800 | $19,203 |
| 2016 | $26,050 | $26,050 | $18,878 |
| 2017 | $27,030 | $27,030 | $20,336 |
| 2018 | $27,640 | $27,640 | $22,388 |
| 2019 | $28,750 | $28,750 | $21,574 |
| 2020 | $29,770 | $29,770 | $20,929 |
| 2021 | $30,880 | $30,880 | $21,847 |
| 2022 | $31,890 | $31,890 | $22,931 |
| 2023 | $32,890 | $32,890 | $19,300 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
73.38% Acceptance Rate
1,153 Total Applicants
839 Students Admitted
184 First-Time Students Enrolled
21.93% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
ACT Average: 22
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Dakota Wesleyan University reported total enrollment of about 670 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 50% male and 50% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (80.2%), Hispanic or Latino (7.0%), and Two or More Races (5.2%). About 27.12% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 28.9% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
96.1% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Dakota Wesleyan University in 2024 is 670 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 832 students. Graduate enrollment is about 121 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
75.1%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 80.2%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
43.15% 100% Completion Time
48.32% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 43.15% of students graduating from Dakota Wesleyan University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other: 70% male / 30% female
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 7% male / 93% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 74% male / 26% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Dakota Wesleyan University.
Return on Investment
$27,000 Median Student Debt
$53,728 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
50.25% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
580.62% Return on Investment
5.0 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Dakota Wesleyan University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 31 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other: 46 completions
2. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 42 completions
3. Business Administration and Management, General: 19 completions
4. Elementary Education and Teaching: 13 completions
5. Education, General: 10 completions
6. Biochemistry: 10 completions
7. Digital Arts: 10 completions
8. Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies: 10 completions
9. Criminal Justice/Safety Studies: 9 completions
Most popular programs at Dakota Wesleyan University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Dakota Wesleyan University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Dakota Wesleyan University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 52.2%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $6,962
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $7,028
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Dakota Wesleyan University is a private non-profit institution located in Mitchell, SD, classified as Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Business Administration and Management, General. Enrollment is approximately 670 students. Student body composition includes White (80.2%), Hispanic or Latino (7.0%), Two or More Races (5.2%). The admission rate is 73.38%. Average ACT scores for admitted students are 22. The 150%-time completion rate is 48.32%. Approximately 27.12% of students receive Pell Grants. About 28.9% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions
Location
Mitchell, SD 57301-4398
Region: Plains
Insights and Analysis
Dakota Wesleyan University provides educational opportunities for students seeking higher education. Prospective students should carefully evaluate all factors including costs, outcomes, and program offerings when making their enrollment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Dakota Wesleyan University located?
Dakota Wesleyan University is located in Mitchell, SD.
What is Dakota Wesleyan University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Dakota Wesleyan University is 73.4% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 1,153 applicants and 839 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Dakota Wesleyan University cost?
Reported tuition is $33,790 and average net price is $19,735 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $8,100 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Dakota Wesleyan University?
Dakota Wesleyan University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 832 students, White (80.2%), Hispanic or Latino (7.0%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Dakota Wesleyan University?
About 28.9% of students at Dakota Wesleyan University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Dakota Wesleyan University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Dakota Wesleyan University reports midpoint ACT about 22.
What do graduates of Dakota Wesleyan University earn?
Median earnings are $49,432 six years after entry and $53,728 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Dakota Wesleyan University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 48.3% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Dakota Wesleyan University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $27,000.
Is Dakota Wesleyan University public or private?
Dakota Wesleyan University is a private nonprofit institution located in Mitchell, SD.
Is Dakota Wesleyan University an HBCU?
No. Dakota Wesleyan University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Dakota Wesleyan University a tribal college?
No. Dakota Wesleyan University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- South Dakota college costs
- South Dakota colleges by ROI
- Plains regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in South Dakota
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.