Dakota State Academic Snapshot
Admission Selectiveness:
- Admission Rate: 88.05%. Not very selective
- SAT Average: 1320. Above average SAT scores, indicating competitive applicants.
Tuition Overview:
- In-State Tuition: $9,654
- Out-of-State Tuition: $12,756
- Both in-state and out-of-state tuition are relatively affordable compared to national averages.
Student Population at Dakota State:
- Total Enrollment: 3,774, including 2,271 online students
- 3,066 Undergraduate, 708 Graduate
- Gender Distribution: 60.7% men, 39.3% women.
- This is a lower medium-sized institution, balancing resources and a sense of community.
Graduation & Retention Rate
- Graduation Rate: 51%. Moderate graduation rate, typical for many institutions.
- First-Year Retention Rate: 75%. Good retention, typical for many institutions.
Programs & Degrees Offered
- Programs Offered: 69 academic programs available.
- Online Programs: 50 programs available fully online.
- Graduate Programs: 10 graduate-level programs offered.
- Special Programs: Health Professions.
- Degrees Awarded: Certificate, Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctor's.
Dakota State Overview
Dakota State University (Dakota State) is a four-year, public school located in Madison, SD. Dakota State University was newly reclassified as an Research College/University (Master's College and University (medium programs)) in 2025 due to changes in its research activities and doctoral program offerings.
The Dakota State's tuition & fees is $9,654 for South Dakota residents and $12,756 for out-of-state students for the academic year 2024-2025. 44% of the enrolled undergraduates have received grants or scholarships, with an average aid amount of $6,250.
The school has a total enrollment of 3,774 and the students to faculty ratio is 18 to 1 (5.56%).
Dakota State's acceptance rate is 88.05% and the yield (enrollment rate) is 17.99%. The median SAT score is 1320 and the ACT score is 24.
Dakota State ranked 1st in South Dakota Colleges rankings. Dakota State University is accredited by Higher Learning Commission.
2025 Tuition & Fees and 2026 Estimation
For undergraduate programs, the 2025 tuition & fees of Dakota State University is $9,654 for in-state students and $12,756 for out-of-state students. For graduate programs, its 2025 tuition & fees is $6,731 for in-state students and $11,931 for out-of-state students.
The estimated 2026 tuition & fees for prospective students is $9,675 for South Dakota residents and $12,777 for out-of-state students based on the current year tuition changes from last year. The estimated 2026 graduate school tuition & fees is $6,731 for South Dakota residents and $11,931 for out-of-state students.
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $9,654 | $12,756 |
|---|
| Graduate | $6,731 | $11,931 |
|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $9,675 | $12,777 |
|---|
| Graduate | $6,731 | $11,931 |
|---|
The estimation for 2025-2026 tuition costs is based on the cost change rates of last year.
Learning Opportunities and Campus Services
Dakota State University offers online classes (distance learning opportunities) for both undergraduate and graduate programs. It has ROTC programs and offers teacher certification programs designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certification as teachers.
Special Learning Opportunities at Dakota State
| Learning Opportunities |
|---|
| ROTC | Air Force |
|---|
| Weekend/Evening College | No |
|---|
| Teacher Certification | Yes |
|---|
| Study Abroad | Yes |
|---|
| On-Campus Services |
|---|
| Academic/career counseling service | Yes |
|---|
| Employment services for students | Yes |
|---|
| Placement services for completers | Yes |
|---|
| On-campus day care for students' children | No |
|---|
Dakota State University Directory Information
Tools for analyzing and comparing Dakota State