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Dakota Wesleyan University

Mitchell, SD·Private·www.dwu.edu/

Campus Identity

NAIAGraduate Programs

Dakota Wesleyan University is a small private nonprofit university in Mitchell, SD. Approximately 670 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 73% acceptance rate. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 74/100 (Pretty Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Dakota Wesleyan University is a small private nonprofit university in Mitchell, SD. Approximately 670 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 73% acceptance rate. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 74/100 (Pretty Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

73%
Acceptance Rate
1,247 applications
22
ACT Score (50th %ile)
$29,700
In-State Tuition
+$1,180 fees
$29,700
Out-of-State Tuition
+$1,180 fees
$8,550
Room & Board
670
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
21%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
NAIA
Athletics
GPAC
Selectivity73% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

Campus Lifestyle

Athletics

NAIA

GPAC

School Size & Setting

Under 1,000

Town setting

Ski Access

69 miles

Great Bear Ski Valley

Weather

Cold Climate

40°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

69 mi away
190 mi away
35 skiable acres6 lifts
195 mi away
50 skiable acres2 lifts

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Mitchell, SD

18°Jan23°Feb35°Mar48°Apr60°May70°Jun76°Jul73°Aug65°Sep50°Oct35°Nov23°Dec

Station: MITCHELL · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

74/100
Pretty Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety7610034
76/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
100/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
34/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

Annual costs for the 2023–24 academic year. Source: IPEDS/NCES 2024.

Tuition
$29,700
Fees
$1,180
Room & Board
$8,550
Total
$39,430

These are sticker prices. Your actual cost may be much lower with financial aid.

Calculate Your Net Price

Fields of Study

58 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, OtherMaster's
55 grads/yr$93,024
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBachelor's
35 grads/yr$76,515
Business Administration, Management and OperationsBachelor's
23 grads/yr
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsBachelor's
17 grads/yr
Psychology, GeneralBachelor's
17 grads/yr

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
Master's55 grads$93,024
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Bachelor's35 grads$76,515
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Bachelor's23 grads
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
Bachelor's17 grads
Psychology, General
Bachelor's17 grads
Biology, General
Bachelor's8 grads
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
Bachelor's7 grads
Educational Administration and Supervision
Master's6 grads
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
Master's6 grads
Accounting and Related Services
Bachelor's6 grads

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Dakota Wesleyan University located?

Dakota Wesleyan University is located in Mitchell, SD. The main campus address is 1200 W University Ave, Mitchell, SD. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Dakota Wesleyan University?

Dakota Wesleyan University has an acceptance rate of 73%, making it moderately selective. Out of 1,247 applicants, 915 were admitted in the most recent year. 670 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Dakota Wesleyan University?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Dakota Wesleyan University scored between ? and ? on the ACT, with a median of 22. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Dakota Wesleyan University?

For the 2023–24 academic year, Dakota Wesleyan University charges $29,700/year in tuition. Including room and board ($8,550/year), the total estimated cost for out-of-state students is approximately $30,880/year. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce this cost — use Dakota Wesleyan University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

Does Dakota Wesleyan University have college sports?

Yes — Dakota Wesleyan University competes at the NAIA level in the GPAC. Division III programs emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic competition, without athletic scholarships.

Is Dakota Wesleyan University the right fit for me?

Whether Dakota Wesleyan University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (73% admit rate), cost ($29,700/year out-of-state), campus culture in Mitchell, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Dakota Wesleyan University against similar schools side-by-side.

Data sourced from IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Dakota Wesleyan University directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

Apply NowVisit Official Website

Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Mitchell, SD
Size
Under 1,000
Degrees Offered
Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's
NCAA
NAIA
Conference
GPAC
School Year Weather
Cold · 40°F avg
On Campus Safety Score
74/100
Nearest Airport
Huron, SD (HON) · 49 mialso YKN (63 mi), FSD (65 mi)

Location

Mitchell, SD

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.