Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Dakota Wesleyan University

Dakota Wesleyan's nursing program delivers first-year earnings of $67,981—below both the state median ($70,622) and national average ($74,888). While that 40th percentile ranking among South Dakota programs might seem middling, it's more troubling when you consider that virtually every other nursing school in the state produces better outcomes. Augustana, SDSU, and USD all place graduates earning $4,000-5,000 more annually, a gap that compounds significantly over a career.

The $31,000 debt load sits slightly above state and national medians for nursing programs, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46—manageable but not impressive given nursing's typically favorable metrics. The 9% earnings growth to year four is positive, reaching $74,077, but graduates still trail peers from other South Dakota programs who started ahead and maintained their advantage.

For South Dakota families, this matters: when Augustana and the state universities deliver stronger outcomes at similar or lower debt levels, Dakota Wesleyan becomes a harder sell. If your child has been accepted to multiple nursing programs in-state, the data suggests exploring those alternatives first. This program will lead to nursing employment, but you'd be paying similar costs for below-average results in a state where better options exist.