Dakota State University

School Overview: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and More

Madison, SD

$7,541

Avg in-state tuition

$10,611

Avg out-of-state tuition

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Discover programs by subject area to find the best college for your future.

Search All Programs

Work here? Claim your school's profile

About Dakota State University

School Type: Public

Status: Non-profit

Accreditation: Regional

Religious Affiliation: N/A While the student experience is largely unaffected at most schools with religious affiliations, some schools place more of an emphasis on religion. Learn how religious affiliations may impact students' experience.

Dakota State University is a small public university located on a rural campus in Madison, South Dakota. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,740, and admissions are selective, with an acceptance rate of 84%. The university offers 28 bachelor's degrees, has an average graduation rate of 49%, and a student-faculty ratio of 18:1. Tuition and fees for in-state students are $7,541, while tuition and fees for out-of-state students are $10,611.

Admissions Breakdown

Acceptance Rate Insight

This school has a high acceptance rate.

This school accepts students at a higher rate than other schools. High acceptance schools welcome 51-100% of all applicants.

84% of students were accepted during the 2020-2021 school year. Sometimes schools with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but are still accessible to many students who apply.

Retention Rate Insight

71% of full-time students stayed to continue their studies the following academic year. These students started in Fall 2019 and returned in Fall 2020.

Graduation Rate Insight

49% of students graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their studies in Fall 2014. Keep in mind many students who enroll are not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners. Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.

Application Considerations

Test scores Considered (not required)

High school transcript Required

High school rank Required

Letter of recommendation Not required or recommended

High school GPA Required

Open admission No

Completion of college prep program Not required or recommended

Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) Required

Transfer Credit Policy

Dual enrollment Yes

Credit for qualified life experience* Yes

Advance placement (AP) credits Yes

*This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials, or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a portfolio to earn credit.

SAT & ACT

ACT 25th-75th Percentile 19-26

SAT 25th-75th Percentile 1010-1190

Learning Environment

Student Body Stats

This school has a student body of fewer than 5,000 students.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

3k

Students enrolled

77%

Online student enrollment

18:1

Student to faculty ratio

Ways Students Can Learn

Online Check Bold
On-campus Check Bold
Hybrid The program is a combination of on-campus and online learning and varies per program. Check Bold
International Online classes are available for students around the world. Check Bold

Demographics

White

80%

Hispanic

4%

Unknown

3%

Black

3%

Two or more races

3%

Non-U.S. Citizen

3%

Asian

3%

American Indian/Alaska Native

1%

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%

Female student population

36%

Socio-economic diversity

30% of students received an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.

Explore Similar Schools

Northern State University

Aberdeen, SD · Public · Non-profit

View School

South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD · Public · Non-profit

#10 Ranked in Best Online Master's in English Programs of 2022

View School

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Rapid City, SD · Public · Non-profit

#7 Ranked in Colleges With the Best Return on Investment in 2023

View School

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, SD · Public · Non-profit

View School

Black Hills State University

Spearfish, SD · Public · Non-profit

View School

Minot State University

Minot, ND · Public · Non-profit

#1 Ranked in Best Business Teacher Education Programs

View School

Mayville State University

Mayville, ND · Public · Non-profit

View School

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, MN · Public · Non-profit

#2 Ranked in Best Online Entrepreneurship Programs

View School

Minnesota State University Moorhead

Moorhead, MN · Public · Non-profit

View School

University of Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls, SD · Private · Non-profit

View School

Online Programs

Offers Online Programs

Yes

Online Programs

35

Total Online Enrollment

2,440

Student Location Breakout

Percent of Programs Online

36% On-campus

64% Online

Types of Online Programs Offered

Certificates Check Bold 50% online

Associate Check Bold 86% online

Bachelor's Check Bold 46% online

Graduate Certificate Check Bold 100% online

Master's Check Bold 100% online

Doctorate Check Bold 100% online

Student Charges

Tuition and Required Fees

Student Level In-state Out-of-state
Undergraduate $7,541 $10,611
Graduate $5,939 $11,088

Cost of Undergraduate Attendance

Costs based on full-time, first-time degree or certificate-seeking undergraduates for the 2020–2021 academic year.

Costs to Consider Price
Books and supplies $1,200
On-campus room and board $7,148
On-campus other expenses $4,874
Off-campus (not with family) room and board $7,433
Off-campus (not with family) other expenses $5,807
Off-campus (with family) other expenses $5,010

Total Undergraduate Cost

Total cost by category In-state Out-of-state
On-campus $20,763 $23,833
Off-campus without family $21,981 $25,051
Off-campus with family $13,751 $16,821

Financial Breakdown

Students Receiving Aid

Federal Grant Aid

56%

State Grant Aid

15%

Institution Grant Aid

69%

Pell Grant

30%

Average Aid Awarded

Federal Grant Aid $3,073
State Grant Aid $1,108
Institution Grant Aid $2,949
Pell Grant Aid $4,094

Financial Outlook

$24k

Average student debt after graduation

$35k

Average salary 6 years after starting school

Varsity Athletic Teams

NAIA Division I

of the overall student body is a member of an athletic team.

Participation

Men Women
  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Other Sports
  • Softball
  • Track Field Indoor
  • Track Field Outdoor
  • Track Field Xcountry
  • Volleyball
  • Baseball
  • Basketball

Degrees Awarded by Program

Degrees given for the 2020-2021 academic year.

1

Biological And Biomedical Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

2

Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services

BA

MA

DOC

3

Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services

BA

MA

DOC

4

Education

BA

MA

DOC

5

English Language And Literature/Letters

BA

MA

DOC

6

Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

7

Health Professions And Related Programs

BA

MA

DOC

8

Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities

BA

MA

DOC

9

Mathematics And Statistics

BA

MA

DOC

10

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, And Fitness Studies

BA

MA

DOC

11

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, And Kinesiology

BA

MA

DOC

12

Physical Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

13

Visual And Performing Arts

BA

MA

DOC

Resource

Financial Aid Overview

Resource

Understanding Grants & Scholarships

Explore Rankings

Explore More Resources

Data collected from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), [2020-2021]. In the absence of IPED data, information was collected directly from the school and is accurate as of the date of collection. Contact the school directly for the most current and complete information.