Dakota State University is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Madison, South Dakota. It enrolls 2,071 students (a mid-sized student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
56/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes41
Value39
Affordability29
Selectivity39
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 88.1%, Dakota State University is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
88.1%
Easy
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1190 – 1440
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
20 – 27
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Dakota State University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Becoming less selective ↑
20.5 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Dakota State University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $21,057 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$21,057
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
17%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
34%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$9,654
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$12,756
Room & Board (on-campus)
$9,742
Room & Board (off-campus)
$10,599
Books & Supplies
$1,000
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$6,377
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$7,855
Total Cost of Attendance
$25,753
Application fee: $20 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$17,317
$30,001 – $48,000
$18,792
$48,001 – $75,000
$19,165
$75,001 – $110,000
$22,601
Over $110,000
$23,269
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$3,10010%percentile
$5,50025%percentile
$23,500Medianpercentile
$25,50075%percentile
$34,93890%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $17,250
↓ $6,250
No Pell $11,142
↓ $12,358
Dependent students $14,500
↓ $9,000
Independent students $14,138
↓ $9,362
Female students $16,032
↓ $7,468
Male students $13,000
↓ $10,500
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $9,500, less than completers ($23,500), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
35% of full-time students who enrolled at Dakota State University graduate within six years, and 75% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
35%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
75%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Dakota State University earn a median of $50,970 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$50,970
Earning > $25K
82%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$34,900
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$50,800
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$39,200
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$43,700
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$45,800
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $15,900, about 31% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
12.3 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 96% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Dakota State University is home to 2,071 students, a mid-sized community.
Total Enrolled
2,071
Part-Time
23%
First-Generation
28%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 74.3%1,539
International 6.4%133
Other 6.1%127
Hispanic 4.5%94
Black 3.7%76
Asian 2.6%54
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Dakota State University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Town: DistantMadison, South Dakota
Housing
Mostly residential895 beds on campus
Adult Learners
19%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
Dakota State University offers
a varied set of programs:
37 distinct programs across
10 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Dakota State University is 19:1, on the higher side.
Student : Faculty
19:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$9,346
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$18M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$87,379
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
100 instructional faculty across 5 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
17
17%
$118,916
Associate Professors
22
22%
$101,908
Assistant Professors
36
36%
$80,656
Instructors
20
20%
$60,820
Lecturers
5
5%
$70,872
Pros & Cons of Dakota State University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Dakota State University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Solid post-graduation earnings
CONS
Class sizes are on the higher side
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
Modest first-year retention
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Best for:
Based on the data, Dakota State University is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dakota State University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Dakota State University.
Is Dakota State University hard to get into?
Dakota State University has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 88.1%.
What is the acceptance rate at Dakota State University?
Dakota State University has an acceptance rate of 88.1%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for Dakota State University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Dakota State University scored between 1190 and 1440 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for Dakota State University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Dakota State University scored between 20 and 27 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does Dakota State University cost?
The average net price after aid at Dakota State University is $21,057 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Dakota State University worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $50,970 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $21,057 per year. That's roughly 2.4x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Dakota State University known for?
Dakota State University is best known for its programs in IT Administration, Information Systems, Information Systems. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Dakota State University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Dakota State University are $50,970, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Dakota State University accredited?
Yes. Dakota State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend Dakota State University?
Dakota State University enrolls 2,071 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Dakota State University?
Dakota State University graduates 35% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Dakota State University a public or private college?
Dakota State University is a Public institution.
Where is Dakota State University located?
Dakota State University is located in Madison, South Dakota.
What programs does Dakota State University offer?
Dakota State University offers 37 distinct programs. The most popular include IT Administration, Information Systems, Information Systems.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Dakota State University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Dakota State University is 19:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in South Dakota
Other colleges in South Dakota share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
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