Dakota Wesleyan University is 11.5 miles from Mount Vernon
No college sits inside Mount Vernon’s boundary, but Dakota Wesleyan University’s campus in Mitchell, with 819 students on campus, is 11.5 miles from the center of town, and Mitchell Technical College is 13 miles away in Mitchell. About 3% of Mount Vernon’s residents are enrolled in college, below South Dakota (5%).
From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Mount Vernon. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Mount Vernon
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Mount Vernon
One private college within 11.5 miles, and Mitchell Technical College 13 miles away. The nearest public four-year college, South Dakota State University, is 84.5 miles away.
Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.
What would your family pay?
The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at $48–75k, where Mount Vernon’s median household income ($60,357) falls.
The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.
Do students finish, and does it pay?
Each dot is a college: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.
Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.
Questions about college near Mount Vernon
Is Mount Vernon a college town?
No. About 3 of every 100 Mount Vernon residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below South Dakota (5). The nearest campus, Dakota Wesleyan University, is 11.5 miles away in Mitchell.
What colleges are near Mount Vernon?
Within 15 miles: Dakota Wesleyan University (11.5 miles, 819 students on campus) and Mitchell Technical College (13 miles, 936).
What is the closest community college to Mount Vernon, and what does it cost?
Mitchell Technical College in Mitchell, 13 miles away. Tuition and fees are $7,524 a year for South Dakota residents; the federal net price, $13,460, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does South Dakota State University cost if we live in South Dakota?
Tuition and fees are $9,299 a year in-state and $12,809 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $14,266 (under $30,000 income) to $21,886 (over $110,000), housing and food included.
Neighbors talk college
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Mount Vernon. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →