University of Sioux Falls vs Dakota Wesleyan University: which has better ROI?
University of Sioux Falls has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $85,532 in 13.9 years versus 14.7 years at Dakota Wesleyan University, on median earnings of $54,521 vs $53,728 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Sioux Falls | Dakota Wesleyan University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,383 | $19,735 |
| Total net cost | $85,532 | $78,940 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,521 | $53,728 |
| Median debt | $23,249 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 13.9 yrs | 14.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $37,688 | $28,420 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Sioux Falls or Dakota Wesleyan University?
Dakota Wesleyan University, at $19,735 a year after aid versus $21,383 — a gap of $1,648 a year, or $6,592 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Sioux Falls or Dakota Wesleyan University graduates earn more?
University of Sioux Falls graduates report a median $54,521 ten years after entry, $793 more than the $53,728 at Dakota Wesleyan University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Sioux Falls or Dakota Wesleyan University?
University of Sioux Falls: its completers carry a median $23,249 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Dakota Wesleyan University, a difference of $3,751. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
63% of students finish at University of Sioux Falls, against 48% at Dakota Wesleyan University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.