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Dakota State University

Dakota State University is based in the town of Madison, SD — a public campus in a small-town setting. International students are a visible presence at Dakota State University — 6.4% of its 2,071 undergraduates come from outside the U.S.

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What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

family-income band

$15,948

family income
under $30k

$16,778

$30–48k

$20,432

$48–75k

$21,975

$75–110k

$21,121

over $110k

These figures don't always rise with income — aid formulas can make a higher bracket cheaper.

Average net price

$21,0572023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at Dakota State University rose from $12,932 (2008) to $21,057 (2023).

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$12,932
2009	$12,476
2010	$12,585
2011	$12,692
2012	$14,431
2013	$15,044
2014	$14,690
2015	$15,803
2016	$16,940
2017	$17,244
2018	$17,691
2019	$18,630
2020	$18,619
2021	$18,356
2022	$19,725
2023	$21,057

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$25,7532024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at Dakota State University rose from $15,214 (2009) to $25,753 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$15,214
2010	$15,962
2011	$15,813
2012	$15,841
2013	$17,201
2014	$17,913
2015	$18,155
2016	$19,017
2017	$20,501
2018	$21,091
2019	$21,799
2020	$22,365
2021	$22,413
2022	$22,651
2023	$24,447
2024	$25,753

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition (in-state vs out-of-state)

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition — data
Year	In-state	Out-of-state
2000	$3,567	$7,520
2001	$3,774	$7,856
2002	$4,042	$8,290
2003	$4,379	$9,091
2004	$4,614	$9,456
2005	$4,831	$9,819
2006	$5,060	$6,251
2007	$5,381	$6,618
2008	$5,816	$7,136
2013	$7,506	$9,506
2014	$7,506	$9,986
2015	$7,974	$10,556
2016	$8,927	$11,843
2017	$9,147	$12,077
2018	$9,276	$12,249
2019	$9,536	$12,606
2020	$9,536	$12,606
2021	$9,633	$12,735
2022	$9,633	$12,735
2023	$9,633	$12,735

IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Dakota State University reports published tuition by residency: $9,654 in-state versus $12,756 out-of-state — a $3,102 gap that makes state lines part of the decision. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

Dakota State University reports 2,071 undergraduate students. Enrollment is a headcount, not a measure of teaching access.

51.3% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Dakota State University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart

51.3%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at Dakota State University rose from 32.1% (entered 1991) to 51.3% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	32.1%
1992 cohort	30.8%
1993 cohort	26.4%
1994 cohort	34%
1995 cohort	39.5%
1996 cohort	42.3%
1997 cohort	39.8%
1998 cohort	44.2%
1999 cohort	47.1%
2000 cohort	40.7%
2001 cohort	50.7%
2002 cohort	46.2%
2003 cohort	36.5%
2004 cohort	42.6%
2005 cohort	36.8%
2006 cohort	43.7%
2007 cohort	47.3%
2008 cohort	40.7%
2009 cohort	38.4%
2010 cohort	39.2%
2011 cohort	36%
2012 cohort	46.9%
2013 cohort	43%
2014 cohort	48.5%
2015 cohort	46.8%
2016 cohort	48.7%
2017 cohort	49.3%
2018 cohort	51.3%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

key chart

Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)	$11,750	$2,625
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)	$12,546	$2,625
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)	$13,342	$2,625
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)	$13,812	$2,625
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)	$14,045	$2,625
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)	$15,100	$2,625
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)	$15,199	$3,312
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)	$15,432	$3,763
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)	$16,700	$3,806
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)	$16,947	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)	$15,625	$3,825
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)	$16,000	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)	$17,925	$5,664
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$21,874	$6,000
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$23,059	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$23,000	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$22,534	$6,646
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$23,250	$7,087
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$23,500	$7,650
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$24,447	$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$24,957	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$24,000	$9,436
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$23,375	$8,908
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$23,500	$9,500

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$46,146

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$46,966

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$50,970

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Dakota State University admitted 2,129 of 2,418 applicants in Fall 2024. The 88% rate describes that application pool.

88%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $9,633 in-state tuition · 2023–24 2,071 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024

400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 1190–14401600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

Dakota State University reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Dakota State University’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 570–680 and Math was 620–760 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 1190–1440 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score	25th	50th	75th
SAT Reading & Writing	570	620	680
SAT Math	620	700	760
ACT Composite	20	24	27

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Dakota State University received 2,418 applications and admitted 2,129 (88%), with 383 enrolling.

Acceptance rate

88%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	92%
Fall 2002	86.5%
Fall 2003	86.5%
Fall 2004	96.3%
Fall 2005	96.8%
Fall 2006	94.7%
Fall 2007	95.6%
Fall 2008	96.3%
Fall 2009	93.8%
Fall 2010	89.7%
Fall 2011	91.6%
Fall 2012	88.8%
Fall 2013	83%
Fall 2014	84.2%
Fall 2015	81.3%
Fall 2016	82.6%
Fall 2017	84.4%
Fall 2018	83.2%
Fall 2019	77.4%
Fall 2020	83.6%
Fall 2021	85.6%
Fall 2022	78.9%
Fall 2023	97.9%
Fall 2024	88%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

1190–1440Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2010	880	1190
Fall 2011	850	1070
Fall 2012	880	1110
Fall 2013	840	1170
Fall 2014	850	1135
Fall 2015	880	1130
Fall 2016	860	1165
Fall 2017	950	1240
Fall 2018	960	1220
Fall 2019	1005	1270
Fall 2020	1010	1190
Fall 2021	1000	1245
Fall 2022	940	1240
Fall 2023	1020	1340
Fall 2024	1190	1440

IPEDS Fall 2010–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

20–27Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	19	24
Fall 2002	18	23
Fall 2003	18	23
Fall 2004	19	24
Fall 2005	18	23
Fall 2006	19	24
Fall 2007	19	24
Fall 2008	18	24
Fall 2009	19	25
Fall 2010	19	25
Fall 2011	18	25
Fall 2012	19	24
Fall 2013	19	24
Fall 2014	19	25
Fall 2015	20	25
Fall 2016	19	25
Fall 2017	19	26
Fall 2018	20	26
Fall 2019	19	25
Fall 2020	19	26
Fall 2021	19	26
Fall 2022	19	27
Fall 2023	20	26
Fall 2024	20	27

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

2,071Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at Dakota State University rose from 1,560 (Fall 2002) to 2,071 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	1,560
Fall 2003	1,521
Fall 2004	1,430
Fall 2005	1,457
Fall 2006	1,455
Fall 2007	1,403
Fall 2008	1,450
Fall 2009	1,533
Fall 2010	1,631
Fall 2011	1,691
Fall 2012	1,728
Fall 2013	1,743
Fall 2014	1,770
Fall 2015	1,896
Fall 2016	1,936
Fall 2017	2,024
Fall 2018	2,051
Fall 2019	2,067
Fall 2020	2,031
Fall 2021	1,910
Fall 2022	1,894
Fall 2023	1,969
Fall 2024	2,071

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

75%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at Dakota State University rose from 62% (Fall 2003) to 75% (Fall 2023).

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2003 cohort	62%
Fall 2004 cohort	69%
Fall 2005 cohort	66%
Fall 2006 cohort	71%
Fall 2007 cohort	76%
Fall 2008 cohort	66%
Fall 2009 cohort	64%
Fall 2010 cohort	67%
Fall 2011 cohort	60%
Fall 2012 cohort	69%
Fall 2013 cohort	65%
Fall 2014 cohort	74%
Fall 2015 cohort	72%
Fall 2016 cohort	72%
Fall 2017 cohort	67%
Fall 2018 cohort	66%
Fall 2019 cohort	71%
Fall 2020 cohort	72%
Fall 2021 cohort	74%
Fall 2022 cohort	75%
Fall 2023 cohort	75%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2003–2023

More about Dakota State University

Faculty pay at Dakota State University averages $119,448 a year, annualized from reported monthly pay. Carnegie classes Dakota State University as a primarily residential campus of 2,071 undergraduates — and 75.5% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Dakota State University's SAT section-percentile sums are 1190–1440 — their midpoint is above the SD four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Dakota State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Dakota State University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Dakota State University88%

South Dakota median84.6%

National median76.8%

Tuition (in-state)

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Dakota State University$9,654

South Dakota median$10,077

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Dakota State University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Dakota State University$50,970

South Dakota median$51,926

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

Dakota State University, South Dakota and national reference values
Metric & basis	Dakota State University	South Dakota median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	88%	84.6%	76.8%
Tuition (in-state)Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$9,654	$10,077	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$50,970	$51,926	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Dakota State University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Dakota State University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 7 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	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

These 7 fields listed for Dakota State University measure earnings after completion. The $50,970 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 17 additional Dakota State University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Dakota State University report?

Dakota State University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 1190–1440 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Dakota State University's acceptance rate?

88% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 2,129 admitted from 2,418 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 earnings data does Dakota State University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $50,970. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

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: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.