Dakota State University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Dakota State University is a public research university in Madison, South Dakota, enrolling about 2,071 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 88.05% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $50,970 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $9,654
- 2024 Average Net Price: $21,057 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 88.05% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 2,071 77.1% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 51.30%
- Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs
- First-Generation Students: 27.6%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 0.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 7.5% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 75.2%
- Average SAT Score: 1215
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,366
- Applicants (IPEDS): 988
- Room & Board: $9,742 annual estimate
Dakota State University: what the data shows
Common questions about Dakota State University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Dakota State University?
Dakota State University is located in Madison, SD (ZIP 57042-1799).
NCES locale classification: Town distant.
Is Dakota State University public or private?
Dakota State University is a Public institution.
How much does Dakota State University cost?
Published tuition: $9,654 in-state, $12,756 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $21,057.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $17,317 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $18,792 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $19,165 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $22,601 |
| $110,001+ | $23,269 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $38,616.
How hard is it to get into Dakota State University?
Admission rate: 88.05%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1215 and midpoint ACT 23.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Dakota State University?
Total enrollment: 2,071 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 4,366 students.
Graduate enrollment: 708 students.
About 77% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Dakota State University?
150%-time completion rate: 51.30%.
First-year retention: 75.5%.
What do graduates of Dakota State University earn?
Median earnings: $46,146 six years after entry; $50,970 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $23,500.
16.81% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Dakota State University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance (152 completions)
- Computer and Information Sciences, General (128 completions)
- Information Science/Studies (100 completions)
- System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management/Manager (44 completions)
- Elementary Education and Teaching (36 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (27 completions)
- General Studies (26 completions)
- Computer Graphics (24 completions)
- Mathematics, General (14 completions)
- Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (12 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Dakota State University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 88.05%; completion rate 51.30%; median earnings $50,970 at 10 years; net price $21,057. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$9,654
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Dakota State University was $9,654.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$21,057
2024 Value
In 2024 Dakota State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $21,057.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$84,228 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$21,057 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$38,616 4-Year In-State Tuition
$51,024 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$9,742 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,000 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$20,396 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$81,584 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Dakota State University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
16.81% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
33.97% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Dakota State University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Dakota State University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $7,506 | $9,506 | $14,431 |
| 2014 | $7,506 | $9,986 | $15,044 |
| 2015 | $7,974 | $10,556 | $14,690 |
| 2016 | $8,927 | $11,843 | $15,803 |
| 2017 | $9,147 | $12,077 | $16,940 |
| 2018 | $9,276 | $12,249 | $17,244 |
| 2019 | $9,536 | $12,606 | $17,691 |
| 2020 | $9,536 | $12,606 | $18,630 |
| 2021 | $9,633 | $12,735 | $18,619 |
| 2022 | $9,633 | $12,735 | $18,356 |
| 2023 | $9,633 | $12,735 | $19,725 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
88.05% Acceptance Rate
988 Total Applicants
967 Students Admitted
394 First-Time Students Enrolled
40.74% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1215
ACT Average: 23
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.3 - 3.5
Estimated Median GPA: 3.40
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Dakota State University reported total enrollment of about 2,071 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 64% male and 36% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (74.3%), Non-Resident Alien (6.4%), and Hispanic or Latino (4.5%). About 16.81% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 27.6% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
77.1% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Dakota State University in 2024 is 2,071 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 4,366 students. Graduate enrollment is about 708 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
75.5%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 74.3%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
34.22% 100% Completion Time
51.30% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 34.22% of students graduating from Dakota State University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance: 82% male / 18% female
- Computer and Information Sciences, General: 77% male / 23% female
- Information Science/Studies: 73% male / 27% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Dakota State University.
Return on Investment
$23,500 Median Student Debt
$50,970 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
46.11% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
505.14% Return on Investment
4.6 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Dakota State University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 37 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance: 152 completions
2. Computer and Information Sciences, General: 128 completions
3. Information Science/Studies: 100 completions
4. System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management/Manager: 44 completions
5. Elementary Education and Teaching: 36 completions
6. Business Administration and Management, General: 27 completions
7. General Studies: 26 completions
8. Computer Graphics: 24 completions
9. Mathematics, General: 14 completions
Most popular programs at Dakota State University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Dakota State University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Dakota State University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 75.2%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $9,954
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $8,768
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Dakota State University is a public institution located in Madison, SD, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance, Computer and Information Sciences, General, Information Science/Studies. Enrollment is approximately 2,071 students. Student body composition includes White (74.3%), Non-Resident Alien (6.4%), Hispanic or Latino (4.5%). The admission rate is 88.05%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1215. The 150%-time completion rate is 51.30%. Approximately 16.81% of students receive Pell Grants. About 27.6% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs
Location
Madison, SD 57042-1799
Region: Plains
Insights and Analysis
Dakota State University provides educational opportunities for students seeking higher education. Prospective students should carefully evaluate all factors including costs, outcomes, and program offerings when making their enrollment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Dakota State University located?
Dakota State University is located in Madison, SD.
What is Dakota State University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Dakota State University is 88.0% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 988 applicants and 967 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Dakota State University cost?
Reported tuition is $9,654 and average net price is $21,057 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $9,742 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Dakota State University?
Dakota State University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 4,366 students, White (74.3%), Non-Resident Alien (6.4%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Dakota State University?
About 27.6% of students at Dakota State University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Dakota State University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Dakota State University reports midpoint SAT about 1215 and midpoint ACT about 23.
What do graduates of Dakota State University earn?
Median earnings are $46,146 six years after entry and $50,970 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Dakota State University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 51.3% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Dakota State University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $23,500.
Is Dakota State University public or private?
Dakota State University is a public institution located in Madison, SD.
Is Dakota State University an HBCU?
No. Dakota State University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Dakota State University a tribal college?
No. Dakota State University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- South Dakota college profile
- South Dakota college costs
- South Dakota colleges by ROI
- South Dakota State University vs University of South Dakota vs Dakota State University
- Plains regional profile
- Town college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in South Dakota
- South Dakota college costs
- South Dakota colleges by ROI
- South Dakota State University vs University of South Dakota vs Dakota State University
- Plains regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in South Dakota
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.