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Dakota Wesleyan University
Dakota Wesleyan University says yes to 73.4% of applicants. Focus less on getting in and more on what's below — starting with the $53,728 median earnings.
Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →
Dakota Wesleyan University anchors the college town of Mitchell, SD, where the private campus and town largely share a footprint. The school maintains its United Methodist affiliation, which threads through campus life to a degree that varies by program.
27.1% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 670 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 75.1% of first-years come back for a second year.
Dakota Wesleyan University won't look at test scores — here the GPA calculator is the tool that matters. Bring your saved semester numbers and see what they average.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Dakota Wesleyan University received 1,153 applications and admitted 839 (72.8%), with 184 enrolling.
Leave the SAT prep out of this one — test scores are disregarded entirely. Dakota Wesleyan University's 73.4% admission rate turned on grades and application strength.
How Dakota Wesleyan University compares
| Dakota Wesleyan University | South Dakota median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 73.4% | 84.6% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $33,790 | $10,077 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $53,728 | $51,926 | $53,781 |
Earnings data favors Dakota Wesleyan University: $53,728 median at year ten, versus $51,926 across South Dakota institutions.
Cost, size & completion
Tuition runs $33,790 regardless of where you're from. At Dakota Wesleyan University, that sticker is a starting point for aid talks — not what the median family pays.
Enrollment sits at 670 — Dakota Wesleyan University is one of the smaller campuses on this site.
48.3% graduate within six years. Roughly 52% don't — ask a Dakota Wesleyan University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Dakota Wesleyan University?
Dakota Wesleyan University doesn't look at test scores; its 73.4% admission rate turned on transcripts, coursework rigor and the application itself.
What is Dakota Wesleyan University's acceptance rate?
72.8% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 839 admitted from 1,153 applicants.
How much does Dakota Wesleyan University cost?
At Dakota Wesleyan University, published tuition is $33,790 — net price after aid usually comes in lower. That number is Dakota Wesleyan University's ceiling, not a quote.
What do Dakota Wesleyan University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $53,728 ten years after enrolling.
Similar colleges in South Dakota
- Augustana University — 67.8% admitted
- South Dakota School of Mines and Technology — 79.9% admitted
- University of Sioux Falls — 82.9% admitted
- Dakota State University — 88% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.