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Dakota State University
Dakota State University admits nearly everyone — 88% of applicants. A feature, not a flaw: the page below asks whether Dakota State University is worth attending, not whether you'll get in.
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Dakota State University anchors the college town of Madison, SD, where the public campus and town largely share a footprint. International students are a visible presence here — 6.4% of undergraduates come from outside the U.S.
Its highest-earning path is Computer and Information Sciences, General, where graduates median $85,696 four years out. Faculty pay averages $119,448 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. With 2,071 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 75.5% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 1020 and 1340 — near the SD middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Dakota State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
You can apply to Dakota State University without scores. Among admitted students who did submit, the middle half landed between 1020 and 1340; applicants below that range often simply apply without them.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 490 | 590 | 660 |
| SAT Math | 530 | 600 | 680 |
| ACT Composite | 20 | 22 | 26 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Dakota State University received 988 applications and admitted 967 (97.9%), with 394 enrolling.
How Dakota State University compares
| Dakota State University | South Dakota median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 88% | 84.6% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $9,654 | $10,077 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $50,970 | $51,926 | $53,781 |
Ten years out, Dakota State University's median earnings are $50,970 — below the South Dakota benchmark of $51,926. Weigh that against the $9,654 price above; the by-major table shows majors drive much of this gap.
Cost, size & completion
As a public university, Dakota State University prices by residency: $9,654 in-state versus $12,756 out-of-state — a $3,102 gap that makes state lines part of the decision.
Dakota State University enrolls 2,071 undergraduates — mid-sized, with the trade-offs Dakota State University's scale implies: more programs than a small college, more anonymity too.
51.3% graduate within six years. Roughly 49% don't — ask a Dakota State University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Dakota State University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $85,696 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $78,637 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $69,841 |
| Information Science/Studies | $56,991 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $48,997 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $46,095 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | $42,513 |
Median earnings for these 7 Dakota State University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $50,970 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 17 additional Dakota State University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Dakota State University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 1020–1340 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 88% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Dakota State University's acceptance rate?
97.9% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 967 admitted from 988 applicants.
How much does Dakota State University cost?
In-state tuition is $9,654; out-of-state students pay $12,756. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Dakota State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $50,970 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in South Dakota
- Black Hills State University — 96.3% admitted
- Northern State University — 93% admitted
- South Dakota State University — 98.3% admitted
- University of South Dakota — 98.8% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.