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200+
Areas
of Study
97%
Received High
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Education^[1]
25%
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Affordable^[2]

¹2018–2019 Senior Exit Survey
²College Board, 2017, Avg. Tuition, Room & Board for In-State Public Four-Year University

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SEE ALL OUR NEWSAPR. 15, 2021 8:15 AM

SDSU ranked No. 5 in best value colleges of international students ranking

South Dakota State University climbed two spots to No. 5 in College Factual’s Best Value Colleges for International Students ranking. This ranking is out of 1,204 colleges in the U.S. that offer four-year degrees.MAR. 22, 2021 3:00 PM

Capstone class provides insights for University Bookstore

The first-ever capstone class in fashion studies and retail merchandising at South Dakota State University has already helped the University Bookstore gain more media interaction and customer engagement.NOV. 21, 2020 8:35 PM

Seten chosen for Rhodes Scholarship

South Dakota State University senior Hattie Seten became the university’s second recipient of the Rhodes scholarship, announced Saturday. SDSU’s first Rhodes scholar, Maj. Gen. Alan A. Nord ’52, earned a master’s degree in general chemistry from Oxford.South Dakota State University Home PageSouth Dakota State University
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Dakota State University
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Dakota State University

820 N. Washington Avenue, Madison, SD 57042 | (605) 256-5139

#91 in Regional Universities Midwest (tie)

2021 QUICK STATS

Tuition and Fees (in-state)$9,535 (2020-21)Tuition and Fees (out-of-state)$12,606 (2020-21)Room and Board $7,148 (2020-21)Total Enrollment 3,268 Application Deadline rolling

Overview of Dakota State University

Dakota State University is a public institution that was founded in 1881. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,818, its setting is rural, and the campus size is 62 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Dakota State University’s ranking in the 2021 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities Midwest, #91. Its in-state tuition and fees are $9,535; out-of-state tuition and fees are $12,606.

Special announcement from Dakota State University

Dakota State University is taking every possible step to maintain the well-being of our campus community while continuing our missions in education and research. Actions taken include adapting our academic calendar, adjusting room capacity, requiring face covering in all indoor public spaces, and implementing a public health campaign, itsaboutcommunity.org.More Information from Dakota State University »

Last updated: March 3, 2021 at 1:55 PM EST

Explore Dakota State University

Rankings Photos Admissions Academics User Reviews Student Life Tuition & Financial Aid Questions & Answers Campus

General Information

School Type

Public, Coed

Year Founded

1881

Religious Affiliation

None

Academic Calendar

Semester

Setting

Rural

2019 Endowment

$15.8 million +

School WebsiteWebsiteView All 20 Photos »Dakota State University’s 2021 Rankings

Dakota State University is ranked #91 in Regional Universities Midwest. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.

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See all scores and key ranking factors.

Dakota State University Photos

View All 20 SlidesDakota State University Admissions

Dakota State University admissions is selective with an acceptance rate of 77%. Half the applicants admitted to Dakota State University have an SAT score between 1005 and 1270 or an ACT score of 19 and 25. However, one quarter of admitted applicants achieved scores above these ranges and one quarter scored below these ranges. The application deadline is rolling and the application fee at Dakota State University is $20.

Selectivity

Selective

Fall 2019 acceptance rate

77%

Application deadline

rolling

SAT/ACT scores must be received by

Sept. 1

Priority application deadlineUNLOCK WITH COMPASS

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Will You Get Into Dakota State University?

This free college acceptance calculator plots your test scores and GPA against other students’ data to give you an idea of how you stack up as an applicant.

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Students Also Applied To

Black Hills State UniversityAdd To Compare Northern State UniversityAdd To Compare South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologyAdd To Compare South Dakota State UniversityAdd To Compare Academic Life at Dakota State University

The student-faculty ratio at Dakota State University is 19:1, and the school has 51.1% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Dakota State University include: Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; Education; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities; and Health Professions and Related Programs. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 69%.

Class SizesClasses with fewer than 20 students51.1%20-4947.5%50 or more1.4%

Student-faculty ratio

19:1

4-year graduation rate

29%

Total facultyUNLOCK WITH COMPASS

SEE FULL ACADEMIC LIFE DETAILS Student Life at Dakota State University

Dakota State University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,818, with a gender distribution of 62% male students and 38% female students. At this school, 38% of the students live in college-owned, -operated or -affiliated housing and 62% of students live off campus. In sports, Dakota State University is part of the NAIA.

Student Gender DistributionMale62%Female38%

Total enrollment

3,268

Collegiate athletic association

NAIA

Full-time degree-seeking studentsUNLOCK WITH COMPASS

SEE FULL STUDENT LIFE DETAILS Dakota State University Tuition & Financial Aid

At Dakota State University, 63% of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid, and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $4,664.

Paying for college doesn’t have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs, or use the U.S. News 529 Finder to choose the best tax-advantaged college investment account for you.

100%

75%

50%

25%

100%

75%

50%

25%

Applied for need-based aid

Need was fully met

Received need-based financial aid

Received need-based self-help aid

Average percent of need met

In-state tuition and fees $9,535(2020-21)

Out-of-state tuition and fees $12,606(2020-21)

Room and board $7,148(2020-21)

Minimum credits per term a student can take for full-time tuition priceUNLOCK WITH COMPASS

SEE FULL TUITION & FINANCIAL AID DETAILS Campus Safety

Campus safety data were reported by the institution to the U.S. Department of Education and have not been independently verified. The numbers for criminal offenses reflect reports of alleged offenses to campus security and/or law enforcement authorities, not necessarily prosecutions or convictions. Experts advise prospective students and their families to do their own research to evaluate the safety of a campus as well as the surrounding area.

SEE FULL CAMPUS SAFETY DETAILS Dakota State University Campus

Dakota State University offers a number of student services, including nonremedial tutoring, placement service, health service. Dakota State University also offers campus safety and security services like lighted pathways/sidewalks, student patrols, controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc.). Alcohol is not permitted for students of legal age at Dakota State University.

Students who have cars on campus

N/A

Health insurance offered

Nearest airports (miles)UNLOCK WITH COMPASS

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Dakota State University User Reviews and Ratings

See reviews and ratings of this school from students, alumni, staff and others. These reviews are not written by U.S. News and have no impact on any of the Best Colleges rankings. Read an explanation of user ratings.SEE ALL REVIEWS

Dakota State University Questions and Answers

U.S. News has a community of students, alumni, staff and others who can provide additional insight into Dakota State University.SEE ALL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

U.S. News College Compass

See expanded profiles for more than 1,800 schools. Unlock entering class stats including SAT scores and GPAs. Save schools, compare and take notes.Unlock with College Compass

Undergraduate data are based on the 2019 school year.

* Median starting salary for alumni with three years of postgraduation work experience and whose highest degree is a bachelor’sPrevious: Campus Next: Rankings

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COMPARE NEARBY SCHOOLS

Dakota Wesleyan UniversityAdd To Compare Mount Marty UniversityAdd To Compare Southwest Minnesota State UniversityAdd To Compare South Dakota State UniversityAdd To Compare University of Sioux FallsAdd To Compare Augustana UniversityAdd To Compare See all colleges in South Dakota

dakota state university acceptance rate