About Dakota Wesleyan University

Founded in 1885, Dakota Wesleyan University. is a Private college. Located in South Dakota, which is a city setting in South Dakota, the campus itself is Town. The campus is home to 879 full time undergraduate students, and 117 full time graduate students.

The Dakota Wesleyan University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 9:1. There are 48 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Dakota Wesleyan University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate72%
Application Deadline
Application Fee25
SAT Range800-1010
ACT Range19-24

Admissions at DWU are considered Selective, with ,13% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 27 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

56% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 19% were in the top quarter, and 7% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Dakota Wesleyan University.

0%
“We”re apathetic”
29%
“We know about current events and vote”
57%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
14%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
14%
“We save it for the classroom”
14%
“Sometimes, but not often”
57%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
14%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
29%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
71%
“I feel extremely safe”
14%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
14%
“We bought the gear”
71%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
43%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
43%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
14%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
0%
“They keep regular office hours”
100%
“They”re always available”
57%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
14%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
29%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
14%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
14%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
71%
“We only party on weekends”
0%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
43%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
57%
“There might be people who do”
0%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
0%
“We”re apathetic”
29%
“We know about current events and vote”
57%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
14%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
14%
“We save it for the classroom”
14%
“Sometimes, but not often”
57%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
14%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
29%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
71%
“I feel extremely safe”
14%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
14%
“We bought the gear”
71%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
43%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
43%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
14%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
0%
“They keep regular office hours”
100%
“They”re always available”
57%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
14%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
29%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
14%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
14%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
71%
“We only party on weekends”
0%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
43%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
57%
“There might be people who do”
0%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
Write a review, Enter to win $1,000 Scholarship

  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    31 Students rated on-campus housing 3.7 stars. 10 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    21 Students rated off-campus housing 3.3 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    33 Students rated campus food 2.9 stars. 3 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    35 Students rated campus facilities 3.9 stars. 17 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    34 Students rated class size 4.5 stars. 59 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    34 Students rated school activities 4.1 stars. 38 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    33 Students rated local services 4.1 stars. 42 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    35 Students rated academics 3.9 stars. 31 % gave the school a 5.0.

Dakota Wesleyan University REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Dakota Wesleyan University?

9 Students rated Dakota Wesleyan University

Megan - 06/01/2020

At first glance, Dakota Wesleyan University is a beautiful campus with a long history of successful alumni. The teachers and staff are very friendly and helpful in times of need, and make you really feel like a priority at school, and not just another ID number. The cafeteria food can be rough sometimes, but the staff are very nice and do the best with what they have. The sports teams are nonexistent except for both men’s and women’s basketball because they are actually good, like national champions good. The students are usually friendly, but almost all act like they are still in high school constantly caught up in pointless dramas because there is nothing else going on in the super small town. Winters suck walking across campus.

Trent - 01/16/2020

I love the size, the people are really nice and the sports are known. Great academics. What I like the most is how I am able to go get tutored by teachers or other people on campus at the library for just about any subject that I need. For someone who isn't that great at school work, I think this is a great idea and every school should have it.

Haley - 01/25/2019

Great School! I would definitely recommend this school to others who are interested in pursuing a higher education. The nursing programs are spectacular and so are the teachers. I owe all that I have learned to this school and I will always be greatful!

Madison - 11/14/2018

Dakota Wesleyan University is a very tight knit community and a very successful school in my opinion. I love the size of the classes and the school size and also how safe it seems. This school is the very best option for me education wise, 90% of graduates go into their choice of career field. I love this school and I am looking forward to attending this school.

Dakota Wesleyan University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Dakota Wesleyan University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Dakota Wesleyan University is 72%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    I have learned a lot, not only in the classroom but in the residence halls as well. Being here has helped me to prepare to live on my own one day and given me a chance to try out different things. Having a college education will allow me to go farther with my dreams and has set me up for success. But perhaps most importantlyI have established valuable relationships with not only students but faculty and staff as well. These relationships will be of great value to me as I enter the "real" world.

    Read all 47 answers

  3. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    The best thing that has ever happened to me! truly enjoy the staff, facilty members, and fellow students. I look forward to going to class every day and I am very proud to be able to go to this college and get my degree here. I would recomend to anyone to attend this college.

    Read all 13 answers

  4. Describe the students at your school.

    Young minds that are eager to learn and grow in their chosen career paths to make themselves better people and strong independent individuals.

    Read all 9 answers

  5. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    The wrost thing about my school is that the first week was hard to adjust to. There wasn't a lot of friendly faces for me to see because a lot of people who came here already knew people.

    Read all 9 answers

  6. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Athletics

    Read all 8 answers

  7. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    It's so small that opportunities are somewhat restricting.

    Read all 8 answers

  8. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    It's a private liberal arts school with a Methodist faith-based teaching style which puts us into classes that allow students to explore the powers that lie within us and also explore the world around us, opening up new cultures and new ways of thinking.

    Read all 7 answers

  9. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    That everybody knows everybody.

    Read all 7 answers

  10. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    NA

    Read all 7 answers

  11. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    The relationships built with professors and other campus staff. We eat dinner at our professors houses sometimes and all of the staff seems to genuinely care about us, not only academically but also personally. I also like to brag about the great people who are here and our elementary school on campus providing hands on experience for us education majors. I debated a lot of schools, but I'm glad I chose DWU!

    Read all 7 answers

  12. What's unique about your campus?

    My school offers unique education geared toward it's students needs in a supportive and caring environment. I can't wait to attend classes and be involved in many different opportunities sponsored by DWU. I think DWU is the perfect environment for any student who wants a community feel, great friends, one-on-one time with profesors, study groups, be invoved many different school events, and a chance for a genuine education.

    Read all 6 answers

  13. What kind of person should attend this school?

    The kind of person who should attend Dakota Wesleyan University would be someone who enjoys small classrooms and who likes one on one attention with instructors. This is a small and wonderful campus that makes you feel like you are at home. You will have a friend in every class and feel comfortable being able to ask questions.

    Read all 5 answers

Student Body

Students

58%

female

42%

male

879

Total Undergrad Enrollment

117

Total Grad Students

22%

Out-Of-State

77%

In-State

1%

International

Organizations

27

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

55%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
1%
% Asian/Pacific Islander
1%
% Black or African-American
1%
% Hispanic/Latino
3%
% White or Caucasian
90%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

100% of students attending Dakota Wesleyan University receive some sort of financial aid. 34% were awarded federal grants. While 92% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$26,050

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,200

Books and Supplies

$7,200

Room and Board

34,450

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$17,298
$30 - $48K
$16,609
$48 - $75K
$19,006
$75 - $110K
$19,138
$110K & UP
$20,229

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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