88.05%

Acceptance Rate

$3,844

Avg.Financial Aid

003463

FAFSA Code

Dakota State University (DSU) Report Card

Selectivity
88.1% acceptance rate
Academics
C-
51% graduation rate
Class Size
D
18:1 student-faculty ratio
Value
A
$12,756 tuition

Grades calculated by The College Monk from IPEDS/NCES data. Methodology: How we grade →

Key Facts: Dakota State University (DSU)

Institution
Dakota State University (DSU)
Type
Public

Data compiled by The College Monk from IPEDS/NCES and official university sources. Last verified July 2026. Citable source →

Dakota State University (DSU)

  • Type Control of Institution - Public/Private

    Public

  • Acceptance Rate:

    N/A

  • Level

    4 Years

  • Religious Affiliation Indicates religious affiliation (denomination) for private not-for-profit institutions that are religiously affiliated.

    Not applicable

  • Accreditation Accreditation is the process by which the quality of learning at various educational institutions are evaluated. Read More.

    HLC

  • Website

    dsu.edu
  • Student Population Number of Students attending College

    2,071

  • On Campus Housing Does the institution provide on-campus housing?

    Yes

Dakota State University(DSU) is a public university headquartered at Madison and was founded in 1881 in Dakota territory as a school which offers teacher's education. At present, it is one of the most technologically advanced universities.

The university offers more than 45 majors and the main focus is to train teachers with computer technology and learning processes. It has an art gallery, bookstore, e-library, academic hall of fame, academic teams, and ADA accommodations for the students. It uses advanced technology and teaching programs for students.

  • DSU acceptance rate is 83%.

  • It provides a cohesive education environment with a student to faculty ratio of 17:1.

  • The university has an acceptance rate of 83% with a graduation rate of 37%.

  • With a total enrolment of 3,382 students, consisting both undergraduate and graduate the school has a rolling based admissions process. Students come from 49 states and 59 countries. 

The university provides a specialty in majors such as Accounting, American studies, Architecture, Biochemistry, Law enforcement Administration, Paralegal, and Marketing. It has 2,844 undergraduates and 346 graduate students pursuing online and offline programme.

The college provides numerous courses in Nursing, Healthcare, Legal/Criminal Justice, and Business and provides bachelor's and master’s degrees in all of them. The college has a campus of around 61 acres. Along with on-site education, the college imparts various degrees in online format also. Both the campus are easy to get and are near to restaurants, markets, housing, shops, and internet access. All the campuses provide provides real-world experience with coursework and case studies which helps the students to connect to with industry.


Online Education at DSU

Desire2Learn is the online platform for the DSU students. During exams, webcam conferences are used and student identity verification is done through visual and voice recognition.

It has a General Education Mobile(GEM) which is a partnership between airforce and civilian institutes for providing an academic education for airforce officers.


Reviews

The reviews provided by the students are as follows.

  • The university has strict policies and rules on campus.

  • It has a safe campus with a good campus security team.

  • Class size is small so each student gets individual attention from the professors.

Location & Contact

Address

820 N Washington Ave, Madison, South Dakota

Contact

Phone: (605) 256-5111
Find Your School

Rankings

The rankings are given by US News and World Report. Dakota State University holds the position of the best colleges.

These are the following rankings cited below:

  • #84 in Regional Universities Midwest (tie)

  • #123 top performers in social mobility (tie)

  • #18 in top public school (tie)

Admissions

  • Application Deadline Deadline for application submissions. Please contact the school for more details.

    Rolling Admissions

  • Acceptance Rate Percentage of applicants who are accepted in an Institution.

    88.05%

  • SAT Range

    960 - 1220

  • SAT/ACT

    Neither required nor recommended

  • ACT Range

    20 - 26

  • High School GPA

    Required

  • Application Fee

    $20

  • Accept Common App

    None

Getting into DSU is easy with its online application throughout the year and with an application fee of $20, it is easy for all those who want to pursue business, Healthcare, and many more, along with online education also.

There is a requirement for SAT, ACT to get into Dakota State University. GPA of 3.1 out of 4 is considered fine but that too in some specific courses. Students are requested to go to the admission catalog for more information.

To get into Dakota State University:

  • Fill the online form.

  • Talk to an admission counselor and submit all the relevant documents.

  • Talk to financial aid counselors.

  • Start studying.

Annual Cost to Attend

  • Net Price Cost of attendance minus any grants and scholarships received.

    $21,057

  • Average Annual Cost

    $9,654

Additional Costs:

  • Books And Supplies

    $21,992

  • Other Fees

    $1,977

  • Room And Board The charges for an academic year for Rooming accommodations and meals for a typical student.

    $6,873

  • Budget For Other Expenses

    $4,643

Total One Year Cost

$21,992

For studying at Dakota State University for the undergraduate program, its tuition fee is $9,535 for in-state students and for out of the state students it is $12,606 and for Room and board is $7,033 with an annual average cost of $16,940.

The cost of the college is almost at par with other colleges that provide courses in nursing, healthcare, etc. the kind of study material and coursework which college provides can be justified with the cost.

What is the Annual Average Cost?

In addition, there are costs such as books and supplies, room and board, other fees, and budget for other expenses which would amount to 1500-2500 dollars.

Academics

Highest Degree Offered The highest degree offered by the Institution.

Doctoral

Student:Faculty Ratio

18:1

Full-Time Retention Rate Percent of the that re-enrolled at the institution as either full- or part-time in the current year.

75%

Part-Time Retention Rate Percent of the that re-enrolled at the institution as either full- or part-time in the current year.

75%

Academic Calendar

Semester

Research Funding per Student

$1,511

Faculty Overview

66%

Male Professors

34%

Female Professors

Non-traditional Learning

Evening Degree Programs

Teacher Certification

Distance Education

Study Abroad

Majors

Most Popular Majors:

  • Computer/Information Technology Adm...

    71 Graduates

  • Computer and Information Sciences,...

    48 Graduates

  • Business Administration, Management...

    32 Graduates

  • Health and Medical Administrative S...

    25 Graduates

  • Special Education and Teaching

    25 Graduates

  • Health and Physical Education/Fitne...

    24 Graduates

  • Computer Software and Media Applica...

    22 Graduates

  • Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervent...

    19 Graduates

  • Special Education and Teaching

    25 Graduates

  • Health and Physical Education/Fitne...

    24 Graduates

  • Computer Software and Media Applica...

    22 Graduates

  • Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervent...

    19 Graduates

  • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General...

    19 Graduates

  • Marketing

    16 Graduates

  • Teacher Education and Professional...

    15 Graduates

  • Information Science/Studies

    13 Graduates

  • Teacher Education and Professional...

    12 Graduates

  • Design and Applied Arts

    10 Graduates

  • Finance and Financial Management Se...

    7 Graduates

  • Accounting and Related Services

    6 Graduates

  • Statistics

    6 Graduates

  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences,...

    4 Graduates

  • English Language and Literature/Let...

    4 Graduates

Show More

Student Body

Undergraduate Students

2,993

Socio-Economic Diversity Percent of full-time, first-time students receiving an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.

25%

Full-time / Part-time

48% / 52%

Students Gender

Male

59%

US National: 44%

Female

41%

US National: 56%

LGBTQIA STUDENT RESOURCE GROUPS

ON CAMPUS WOMEN'S CENTER

Race/Ethnicity

White

83%

Unknown

1%

Black

4%

Hispanic

4%

Two or more races

4%

Non Resident alien

1%

Asian

2%

American Indian/Alaska native

1%

Native Hawaiians/Pacific islander

0%

Geographic Density

Geographic Density

High

0%

Unknown Location

39%

Out Of State

60%

In State

1%

Foreign

Economic Diversity

36% percentage of students who recieved an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.

Median Household Income

$52,093 per year

Campus Life

Housing

The students can reside on campus and N/A of Freshman Live On-Campus.

On Campus Housing Available

Yes

Freshmen Required to Live on Campus

No

Freshmen Live on Campus

N/A

Undergrads in College Housing

31%

Averege Housing Cost

$3,723/year

Campus Food

The institution has several dining and meal plan options available to students and the average meal plan cost is around $3,149/year.

Meal Plan Available

Yes

Average Meal Plan Available

$3,149/year

Athletes

Division Sports Nickname

Trojans

School Colors

blue and yellow

Varsity Athletics Association

NAIA

Varsity Athletics Conference Primary

North Star Athletic Association

Total Male Athletes

107

Total Female Athletes

56

Intramural Sports

8

Sports Club

N/A

Sports Team (Men)

Baseball

Basketball

Cross Country

Football

Track and Field

Sports Team (Women)

Basketball

Cross Country

Softball

Track and Field

Volleyball

Campus Security

The university additionally offers an on-campus housing facility for students who wish to dwell nearby. The normal expense for on-campus housing is $7,033 per year. The students at Dakota State University have several dining and meal plan options to choose from. Moreover, the average meal plan costs around $3,149 per year. To ensure the safety and security of students, the university has a number of campus safety and security measures in place. Some of these features include 24-hr escort safety rides and mobile campus emergency alert. The number of female and male students at the university are 62% and 38%, respectively.

24-Hour Security Patrol

Campus Emergency Phones

24-Hour Escort Safety rides

Mobile Campus Emergency Alert

After Graduation

Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation

$33,300/year

Median Earnings 10 Years After Graduation

$38,700/year

Median Total Debt After Graduation The median cumulative federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated.

$19,350 - $31,561

Typical Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 4.53% interest rate.

$201 - $328

Outcomes 8 Years of Attending

Show data for students who

and started their studies

Out of 7,811 students

30% Graduated

10% Still Enrolled

15% Transfer

1% Withdraw

Financial Aid

Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid.

85%

Average Aid Per Year

$3,844

Students Receiving Federal Grants

36%

Average Aid Per Year

$4,351

Students Receiving State Aid

21%

Average Aid Per Year

$1,306

Students Receiving Institutional Grants

72%

Average Aid Per Year

$1,955

Average Grant & Scholarship by Family Income Aid awarded based on the family income.

Income

Average Amount

< $30K

$7,533

$30K - $48K

$7,413

$48K - $75K

$3,554

$75K - $110K

$1,861

> $110K

$2,051

Total Needs based Scholarships/Grants

$412,589

Total Non-Needs based Scholarships/Grants

$526,560

The department of financial aid in the university provides various financial aid to their students. Students looking for financial assistance has to fill up the FAFSA form. 

 Dakota State University federal School code is 003463.

Federal Aid offered are Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, TEACH Grant, Direct PLUS Loan, Direct Subsidized Loan, Unsubsidized Loans, and Federal Work-Study.

Institutional Aids available are DSU Presidential Champion Scholarship, DSU Merit Champion Scholarship, DSU Achievement Champion Scholarship, and Center of Excellence Annual Scholarship.

Military Aids provided are Post 9/11 GI Bill, Army/Air National Guard/Reserve, VA Vocational Rehabilitation, and Active Duty Military.

79% of the students are awarded the Federal and Institutional Aids and $15,375 is the average amount of financial aid awarded as Grants and Scholarships.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dakota State University (DSU)

How hard is it to get into Dakota State University (DSU)?

Dakota State University (DSU) is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 88.1%. Strong applicants typically have above-average test scores, a rigorous course load, and compelling extracurricular activities.

How much does Dakota State University (DSU) cost?

Tuition at Dakota State University (DSU) is approximately $12,756 per year before financial aid. Room, board, fees, and personal expenses add to the total cost of attendance. Most students receive scholarships or financial aid that reduces the net price.

How many students attend Dakota State University (DSU)?

Dakota State University (DSU) enrolls approximately 2,071 students across its programs.

What is the graduation rate at Dakota State University (DSU)?

The graduation rate at Dakota State University (DSU) is 51%, reflecting the percentage of students who complete their degree within the standard timeframe.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Dakota State University (DSU)?

The student-faculty ratio at Dakota State University (DSU) is 18:1, meaning students typically have good access to faculty for mentoring, research, and smaller class experiences.

What SAT and ACT scores do I need for Dakota State University (DSU)?

Dakota State University (DSU) typically admits students with SAT scores in the range of 570-680 (Reading) and 620-760 (Math) and ACT composite scores of 20-27. Check the admissions office for the most current testing requirements and whether test-optional policies apply.

Is Dakota State University (DSU) a public or private university?

Dakota State University (DSU) is a public institution.

When is the application deadline for Dakota State University (DSU)?

Application deadlines at Dakota State University (DSU) vary by program. Early Decision and Early Action applicants typically submit in November, while Regular Decision deadlines fall in early January. Always check the official admissions website for the current cycle's dates.

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