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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 academic institution uses 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%.
Find out 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
If you know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Here are the most essential information you should know about admission at Dakota State University.
According to the most recent data, 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 takes into consideration standardized test scores for the candidates who choose to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is relatively noncompetitive.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 16% and ACT scores 67%. 31% of the first-year 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% between 800 and 999. The percent of 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. Accordingly, you'll probably need an above-average GPA in order to be granted acceptance.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. When you create your list of possible schools to attend, don't forget to consider the freshmen retention rate.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Dakota State University was 75.5%, 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. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 52%.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by learning more about its student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution enrolled 3,774 students.
That year, the institution had an out-of-state student body percentage of 34. There was a total of 3,066 those pursuing undergraduate studies, including 133 international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 288.
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
The significance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Dakota State University.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 54, while the number of Black American students was 76. 94 undergraduate students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 77 as multirace. The school also had 4 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 46 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 48 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to consider before you apply. Here are some details you should know about the cost of attendance for Dakota State University.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for Dakota State University is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
For the students who live in the area, the tuition cost was $7,616, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $10,718 in 2025. Tuition costs at Dakota State University for international students equalled $10,718. Fees per academic year required of full-time students came to a total of $1,220 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $10,718 | $1,220 | $11,938 |
| In-State | $7,616 | $1,220 | $8,836 |
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to consider is the approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university. Most students have to pay about $2,018 for books and supplies during their time at Dakota State University.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. How much do room and board fees average around at schools?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Dakota State University was $8,260 per academic year. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 reached $4,746 for one academic year. 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
There are different types of financial support: grants, loans, scholarships, and 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.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 210 freshmen. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $10,492.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
There were 460 students who obtained need-based financial aid of any kind. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 815. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution added up to $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
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
498 students, including freshmen, obtained institutional non-need-based financial aid at this institution 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. $642,976 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
19:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio is the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
In 2025, this ratio at Dakota State University was 19:1. That means that there were 19 times more students than teachers at this school. The faculty of this school consists of 151 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 98 men and 53 women.
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 details about social life at Dakota State University.
It has a campus size of 86 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
This school has 45 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. The most popular student organization is International Club, followed by Cru and Gaming Club. Other popular organizations at Dakota State University 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
At Dakota State University, there are many amenities required for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
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. The school has 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
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Dakota State University is located in Madison, SD.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for Dakota State University is 88%.
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The most recent reported 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.
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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.
