For the 2022-23 academic year, tuition at Dakota Wesleyan University rose by 3.3%, according to the latest figures, according to the latest disclosure from the National Center for Education Statistics.
Students enrolled at the private, four-year, not-for-profit institution paid $31,890 this year, an increase of $1,010 from the $30,880 charged during the 2021-22 academic year.
Approximately 61% of the undergraduate student body are residents of South Dakota, while around 35% come from other states.
Data indicates that every full-time undergraduate who began studies at Dakota Wesleyan University in 2022-23 received some form of student financial aid. A total of 164 students were awarded grants or scholarships amounting to $3.4 million, and 145 students secured student loans exceeding $1.2 million.
Across the entire undergraduate population, 679 students received grants or scholarships totaling $11 million. Additionally, 561 students obtained federal student loans totaling $4.2 million.
Undergraduate education costs have seen a significant increase over the past few decades. Data shows a 169% rise in the average total cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, between 1980 and 2020.
According to a 2023 College Board report, in-state students at public universities paid an average of $11,260, while out-of-state students paid $29,150 in the 2023-24 academic year.
Meanwhile, student loan debt has steadily increased over the last 30 years, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2024, averaging a total of $28,950 per borrower. Federal loans make up 92% of the debt, with over half of students at both public and private four-year colleges graduating with student loans.
Available data sometimes exceeds 100% due to rounding and administrative calculations.
| Type of Aid | Number of students awarded aid | Percent awarded aid | Total amount of aid awarded | Average amount of aid per student |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal grants | 40 | 24% | $130,091 | $3,252 |
| State / local grant or scholarship | 85 | 52% | $345,095 | $4,060 |
| Institutional grants or scholarships | 164 | 100% | $2.9 million | $17,701 |
| Grant or scholarship aid total | 164 | 100% | $3.4 million | $20,598 |
| Federal student loans | 145 | 88% | $627,850 | $4,330 |
| Other student loans | 40 | 24% | $575,908 | $14,398 |
| Student loan aid | 145 | 88% | $1.2 million | $8,302 |
| Total student aid | 164 | 100% | $4.6 million | $27,938 |
