Dakota Wesleyan University

In 2017, tuition for full-time students at Dakota Wesleyan University was $29,700 a year.

Tuition increased 3.48% in 2023–from $28,700 the prior year. On average, college tuition rises about 3% year.

Remember, the displayed price of tuition does not always mean much if you plan to use financial aid to help pay for college. Many students owe far less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. And, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay out of pocket more manageable until after graduation.

Dakota Wesleyan University meets 58% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Dakota Wesleyan University full-time are awarded $21,889 a year in financial aid, on average.

In 2020, students graduated with an average of $37,564 in student loans for each student with debt.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Dakota Wesleyan University

Dakota Wesleyan University is a private, religious institution, so it has the same tuition for students from South Dakota as it does for residents from other states.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Attending a school where you are eligible for in-state tuition can save on the cost of tuition, as well as loans and interest owed. Be sure to confirm your state's guidelines for how to qualify for as an in-state resident. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be additional requirements too, depending on where you live.

Explore other South Dakota colleges

Tuition for International Students at Dakota Wesleyan University

Dakota Wesleyan University has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but should research private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. International students with need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Dakota Wesleyan University:

•Athletic Awards •Dakota Wesleyan University-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.

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Dakota Wesleyan University Room, Board, Fees, and More

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In addition to tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Dakota Wesleyan University.

Room and Board Costs at Dakota Wesleyan University

Room and board at Dakota Wesleyan University costs $7,350 a year. This number includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that allows you to eat in the school dining facilities.

Board costs can depend on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

Cost of Books at Dakota Wesleyan University

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Yearly Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be optional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools offer ways for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these costs.

Transportation costs

The cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use public transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. At Dakota Wesleyan University, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

A school's location can impact transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand transportation in a city is often pricey, but there may be more trains, busses or affordable flights to actually get to school. The Dakota Wesleyan University campus is in a town in South Dakota.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, be sure to take into account the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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Financial Breakdown for Dakota Wesleyan University

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better estimate of the actual cost of attending Dakota Wesleyan University.

Total Cost of Dakota Wesleyan University

What will the cost of attending Dakota Wesleyan University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$29,700
Room and Board	$7,350
Other expenses	$1,850

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$41,280
Off-Campus	$34,080

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Dakota Wesleyan University Financial Aid

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The majority of Dakota Wesleyan University undergrads use financial aid to help pay for school. In 2023, 739 of the 759 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Dakota Wesleyan University meets 58% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $21,889 a year. Around 85% of Dakota Wesleyan University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Dakota Wesleyan University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $37,564 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$29,480
Private Loans	$22,232

Most Common Loans for Dakota Wesleyan University Students
Federal Loans	85%
Private loans	31%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Dakota Wesleyan University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Dakota Wesleyan University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Dakota Wesleyan University awarded 237 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $8.5 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $40,000 in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Dakota Wesleyan University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Dakota Wesleyan University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Dakota Wesleyan University was $21,889 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Dakota Wesleyan University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$19,391
Off-Campus	$12,191

What will attending Dakota Wesleyan University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families understand the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Dakota Wesleyan University's net cost calculator on their website.

Dakota Wesleyan University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Dakota Wesleyan University Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Dakota Wesleyan University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

Dakota Wesleyan University's endowment was valued at $20.9 million in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million. The school spends $5,526 for each full-time student enrolled.

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Learn More About Dakota Wesleyan University

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