Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
Engineering Careers
- More
Madison , SD
Dakota State University (DSU) is a public institution located in Madison, South Dakota. Established in 1881, DSU has a rich history of providing quality education and cutting-edge technology programs. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields such as computer science, cyber operations, health information administration, education, business, and more. DSU is known for its innovative approach to education and commitment to equipping students with skills that are highly sought after in today's job market.
One of the key highlights of Dakota State University is its strong emphasis on technology. DSU is recognized as a national leader in cyber operations education and research, offering programs specifically designed to prepare students for careers in cybersecurity, computer science, and related fields. The university boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including a dedicated cyber labs and a cyber range, to provide hands-on experience and training to its students.
Moreover, DSU is known for its close-knit community and supportive environment. With a relatively small student population compared to larger universities, Dakota State University offers individualized attention and personalized learning experience. The faculty at DSU are highly competent and accessible, providing mentoring and guidance to help students succeed academically and professionally. Additionally, the university offers numerous extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations to encourage student involvement and foster a well-rounded college experience.
In summary, Dakota State University is a technologically-focused institution that prides itself on providing cutting-edge education with a focus on cybersecurity and computer science. With its vibrant community and nurturing environment, DSU offers students a well-rounded learning experience. Whether students are seeking to pursue a career in technology or other fields, Dakota State University equips them with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their chosen paths.
Dakota State University is a public university located in Madison, SD and set in a rural environment. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 88%. The freshman retention rate at Dakota State University is 75.5% and the six-year graduation rate is 52%.
Discover more about what you can expect if you get into Dakota State University.
Quick Facts
3,066
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
19:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
52%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to maximize your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the university's criteria for admission. Here are the most important facts you have to know about admission at Dakota State University.
According to the most recent information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 2,104 in 2025. Dakota State University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the candidate. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is relatively noncompetitive.
Test Scores
16% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 67% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 31% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 43% between 1,200 and 1,399, 25% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 1% of the students between 800 and 999. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 16, 35 between 24-29, 39 in the range between 18-23, and 10 between 12-17.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.49. This implies that you'll probably need a GPA above the average to secure admission.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
The freshman retention rate for Dakota State University was 75.5% in 2025, which is considered an above-average retention rate and is indicative of the quality of educational experience at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 52%.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the best fit for you is not an easy task. You can better comprehend the culture and life of the school by getting to know more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Dakota State University in 2025 was 3,774.
That year, the institution had 34% of students coming from another state. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 3,066, 133 of which were international students. The school admitted a total of 288 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 1,142 male and 576 female full-time students in 2025. This school had 71 full-time graduate male and 23 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to focusing on the diversity of its student population and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 54 Asian students and 76 Afro-American students in 2025. 94 undergraduates at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 77 identified with more than one race. The school also had 4 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 46 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 48 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before submitting an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into account. Here are some important facts on Dakota State University costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Dakota State University? Here is what you need to know.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $7,616 for area residents. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $10,718 in 2025. For international students, tuition fees at this school totaled $10,718, as well. Full-time students in 2025 were obliged to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,220.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $10,718 | $1,220 | $11,938 |
| In-State | $7,616 | $1,220 | $8,836 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to take into account the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The approximate expense of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is $2,018.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What do schools typically charge for room and board?
In 2025, room and board cost at Dakota State University amounted to $8,260 a year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school stood at $4,746, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $5,504.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 7,616 |
| Room and Board | $ 8,260 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 2,018 |
| Total Expense | $ 17,894 |
Financial Aid
Financial support for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid available at Dakota State University.
According to the most recent data, 210 freshmen were awarded financial aid. Students of this school received an average of $10,492 in financial help.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
460 students were granted some form of need-based financial aid. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 815. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $2,977,193, and state $272,283. The students of Dakota State University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $1,609,322, and external in the amount of $1,574,182.
$5,470
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
498 students, including freshmen, got institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 178 full-time freshmen. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $2,977,193 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $7,544. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $657,335. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $642,976 USD.
Majors
Faculty
19:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Dakota State University was 19:1: that means 19 students per one teacher. This school has recently reported to have 151 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 98 male and 53 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some information about social life at Dakota State University.
Its campus is 86 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership typically consists exclusively of current students and/or alumni.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 45. The most popular student organization is International Club, followed by Cru and Gaming Club. Other popular student organizations at this school are Computer Club and Esports Club.
For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. You have a passion for media and communication? Dakota State University publishes its own newspaper.
Student Services
Dakota State University offers a number of services crucial for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Dakota State University.
All in all, campus life at Dakota State University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Dakota State University.
Career Counselling
At Dakota State University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
-
Dakota State University is located in Madison, SD.
-
This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
-
The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Dakota State University is 88%.
-
According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Dakota State University is 75.5%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.