Dakota Wesleyan University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. financial aid brings net price below sticker.
About This School
Dakota Wesleyan University is a private nonprofit institution located in Mitchell, South Dakota with approximately 670 undergraduate students enrolled. Dakota Wesleyan University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 73%. The average net price after financial aid is $19,735 per year. The graduation rate is 48%, and the typical graduate earns $40,900 within 10 years of enrollment.
Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU) is a private Methodist university in Mitchell, South Dakota, United States. It was founded in 1885 and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The student body averages slightly fewer than 800 students. The campus of the university is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: the 46% graduation rate and 69% freshman retention rate suggest that nearly one in three students leaves before finishing, which is worth taking seriously. On the positive side, the average net price of $19,300/year is reasonable for a private school, and median debt at graduation ($19,500) stays manageable relative to mid-career earnings of $40,900. Worth considering if you're drawn to a tight-knit, faith-affiliated campus in a small-town setting, but ask hard questions about academic support and what's driving that attrition.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 7% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (670 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in South Dakota
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD · Public
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD · Public
Southeast Technical College
Sioux Falls, SD · Public
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Rapid City, SD · Public
Dakota State University
Madison, SD · Public
Augustana University
Sioux Falls, SD · Private nonprofit
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
All school names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this page is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation with CollegeHelpGuide.