About Dakota Wesleyan University
Dakota Wesleyan builds tight-knit communities around faith and academics in rural South Dakota. The Methodist college enrolls just 661 students in Mitchell, creating an environment where professors know every name. With a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, classes feel more like discussion groups than lectures. The Tigers compete in 14 NAIA sports, and nearly 40% of students play varsity athletics. The college awards $1.67 million in athletic scholarships annually.
Students pay an average net price of $19,300 after financial aid, less than the $41,990 sticker price. Graduates earn a median of $53,728 ten years after leaving school. With typical debt loads of $27,000, monthly loan payments average $286. The math works for most families, especially considering the 99% employment rate among graduates.
Nearly two-thirds of students come from South Dakota, creating a homegrown feel on campus. The 46% four-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many small colleges face with retention. About 69% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Housing accommodates 512 students on a campus where Methodist values shape daily life. Students either thrive in this close community or find it too insular for their taste.
Students pay an average net price of $19,300 after financial aid, less than the $41,990 sticker price. Graduates earn a median of $53,728 ten years after leaving school. With typical debt loads of $27,000, monthly loan payments average $286. The math works for most families, especially considering the 99% employment rate among graduates.
Nearly two-thirds of students come from South Dakota, creating a homegrown feel on campus. The 46% four-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many small colleges face with retention. About 69% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Housing accommodates 512 students on a campus where Methodist values shape daily life. Students either thrive in this close community or find it too insular for their taste.
Academics & Faculty
Dakota Wesleyan offers a classic Methodist liberal arts education that emphasizes personal growth alongside academic achievement. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio ensures professors know students by name and can provide individualized mentoring throughout their college journey. This small-college approach helps explain why half of students graduate within four years, though the 46% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many small liberal arts schools face with retention. The university has built a reputation for strong teacher education and business programs, drawing students who want hands-on learning experiences. The Methodist tradition infuses coursework with ethical reasoning and service learning opportunities that prepare graduates for meaningful careers.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 52.2%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 50.0%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 46.4%
- Retention Rate
- 69.4%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $53,728
- Carnegie Classification
- Baccalaureate College
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. | Master | $63,005 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $57,603 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $55,512 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $42,123 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $39,369 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $37,568 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $35,416 |
| Human Services, General. | Bachelor | $34,526 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $33,993 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $28,019 |
Campus Life
Mitchell sits 70 miles west of Sioux Falls, placing you in the heart of South Dakota farm country. The 77% of students who take federal loans often bundle up for harsh winters where temperatures regularly drop below zero. With housing capacity for 512 students and total enrollment of 661, nearly all underclassmen live on the compact campus centered around historic McGovern Library.
The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name by the second week of classes. With 262 total athletes competing across 14 NAIA sports, Tigers games draw crowds from the surrounding farming communities. The $1.67 million in athletic scholarships reflects how seriously this Methodist school takes competition. Weekend options in a town of 15,000 revolve around campus events, outdoor activities on nearby lakes, or road trips to Sioux Falls for shopping and restaurants. The 69% retention rate suggests students either embrace small-town college life or transfer elsewhere after freshman year. Chapel services and community service projects reflect the United Methodist heritage that still shapes campus culture.
The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name by the second week of classes. With 262 total athletes competing across 14 NAIA sports, Tigers games draw crowds from the surrounding farming communities. The $1.67 million in athletic scholarships reflects how seriously this Methodist school takes competition. Weekend options in a town of 15,000 revolve around campus events, outdoor activities on nearby lakes, or road trips to Sioux Falls for shopping and restaurants. The 69% retention rate suggests students either embrace small-town college life or transfer elsewhere after freshman year. Chapel services and community service projects reflect the United Methodist heritage that still shapes campus culture.
- Setting
- Town-Remote
- Housing Capacity
- 512 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1885
Campus Safety (2023)
No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 9°–28°F
- July Avg
- 62°–86°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 71.2"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.0"
Student Demographics
Students at Dakota Wesleyan come primarily from South Dakota and surrounding states, reflecting the college's deep roots in the regional Methodist community. The student body of 661 creates an intimate campus where everyone knows each other. About one in four students receives Pell Grants, showing the university's commitment to making Methodist education accessible to working-class families. Women slightly outnumber men, typical for liberal arts colleges that emphasize education and social work programs. The overwhelmingly white demographic mirrors rural South Dakota's population, though the college has been working to diversify its student base.
- Men
- 46.9%
- Women
- 53.1%
- White
- 80.2%
- Black
- 1.7%
- Hispanic
- 9.1%
- Asian
- 0.6%
- In-State Students
- 63.1%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 26.3%
Location
Dakota Wesleyan sits in Mitchell, South Dakota, a town of about 15,000 people roughly 70 miles west of Sioux Falls. The campus occupies 50 acres in this agricultural community on the Great Plains. Mitchell is famous for the Corn Palace, a distinctive building decorated with thousands of bushels of corn and other grains that draws visitors from across the Midwest. The setting is decidedly rural, with vast farmland stretching in all directions under big prairie skies. With 661 students, the university forms a significant part of this tight-knit community where Main Street feels genuinely small-town American. Students considering colleges in South Dakota may also compare Dakota Wesleyan with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Mitchell, South Dakota 57301-4398
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $53,728
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $61,077
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $35,600
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 70.2%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $286/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $27,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Dakota Wesleyan University?
Dakota Wesleyan accepts 74.77% of applicants, making admission relatively accessible for this Methodist liberal arts college. Students typically score around 1185 on the SAT or 21 on the ACT, though the school welcomes a range of academic backgrounds.
How much does Dakota Wesleyan University cost after financial aid?
The average net price is $19,300, lower than the sticker price of $41,990. Low-income families pay as little as $14,366, while graduates typically leave with $27,000 in debt and monthly loan payments of $286.
What are class sizes like at Dakota Wesleyan University?
With a 12:1 student-faculty ratio among just 661 total students, classes are intimate and personal. This small Methodist college emphasizes close mentoring relationships between professors and students, typical of liberal arts institutions.
What do graduates of Dakota Wesleyan University earn after college?
Alumni earn a median salary of $53,728 ten years after graduation, with a 99% employment rate. The 46.40% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many students face at this rural South Dakota campus, though those who complete degrees find solid career prospects.
Where is Dakota Wesleyan University located and what is campus life like?
The campus sits in Mitchell, South Dakota, a remote town setting that creates a tight-knit community atmosphere. With housing for 512 students and 14 varsity sports teams competing in NAIA, campus life revolves around athletics and close friendships.
How strong are athletics at Dakota Wesleyan University?
The Tigers field 14 varsity teams with 262 total athletes, meaning nearly 40% of students compete in sports. The school awards $1,671,825 in athletic scholarships annually, reflecting its commitment to competitive NAIA athletics as a cornerstone of campus culture.
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