At $19,300/yr net price, Dakota Wesleyan University graduates earn $53,728/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $19,728/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $19,300 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $77,200 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $53,728/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$19,728/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 46.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,366/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,704/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,457/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,297/yr |
| $110,001+ | $21,215/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. | Master | $63,005 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $57,603 | $24,855 |
| 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 |
The Risk Factor
46.4% of students at Dakota Wesleyan University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Dakota Wesleyan gives you a moderate return with real gaps between programs. Nursing is the clear winner, paying close to $58,000 and carrying below-average debt, which makes it the one degree here that reliably clears its cost. Everything else drops off fast. Teacher education, criminal justice, business, and human services all land under $43,000, and human services in particular leaves you paying nearly the same price for a degree that pays $23,000 less than nursing.
The debt picture matters because the median borrower leaves owing $27,000. That load is manageable on a nursing salary and tight on a human services or teaching salary in the Mitchell, SD region, where education and social service wages stay low. If you pick one of the lower-paying majors, you are betting on a job market that does not pay much for those roles.
The bigger risk here is finishing at all. Fewer than half of students graduate, and roughly a third don't return after the first year. Debt without a degree is the worst outcome, and those retention and completion numbers mean it happens to a lot of people who enroll.
On price, the tiers are compressed. A family under $30,000 pays about $14,400, while a family over $110,000 pays about $21,200 , a gap of only $7,000 despite an $80,000-plus income difference. Lower-income families get some discount but still carry real cost, and the aid does not scale steeply.
This school is a solid financial fit if you come for nursing and plan to finish. If you're drawn to teaching, criminal justice, or human services, run the numbers against a cheaper public option first, because the earnings here won't stretch far against the debt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dakota Wesleyan University worth the cost?
Dakota Wesleyan University offers mixed value with a net price of $19,300 and graduates earning $53,728 after 10 years. The low 46% graduation rate is concerning, but graduates who finish typically manage their $27,000 median debt load reasonably well.
What are the best paying majors at Dakota Wesleyan University?
Business programs lead with graduates earning $63,005 annually, followed by nursing at around $57,000. Education and criminal justice majors earn significantly less at $42,000 and $39,000 respectively.
How much debt do Dakota Wesleyan University graduates have?
Graduates leave with a median debt of $27,000, which is manageable given the typical starting salaries. However, nearly half of students don't graduate, meaning many accumulate debt without completing their degree.
Does Dakota Wesleyan University have a good graduation rate?
No, only 46% of students graduate from Dakota Wesleyan University. This low completion rate is the biggest risk factor for prospective students, as those who don't finish still face student loan payments without the degree benefits.