I am going to tell you what the official data say about it. I am not going to tell you whether it is “good” or “bad”—no government file says that. I am going to tell you what it is, how it works, how much it costs, and what questions you need to ask before committing your family’s money and time.
What Kind of School It Is, and Where It Stands
Dakota State University is a public university, and that already tells you something important: there is usually one price for state residents and another, higher one for people coming from out of state. The system that classifies universities in the United States describes it as a master’s institution with medium-sized programs and as a four-year, primarily residential institution: a few years ago, between one-quarter and one-half of its undergraduate students lived in university housing.
It is also identified as a school that receives many transfer students. If your child plans to come here after studying somewhere else, this matters: before enrolling, ask in writing which courses will be accepted and which will not. The label says that many transfer students arrive; it does not say how many credits they bring or how many are lost along the way.
The school reports the doctorate as the highest level it offers institutionally, placing it among universities that award bachelor’s degrees or higher. But that information applies to the institution as a whole, not to your child’s specific major. If your child is interested in a graduate program, ask directly whether that pathway exists and whether it connects with their bachelor’s degree.
Dakota State University is in Madison, South Dakota, in Lake County. The area surrounding the campus is a town, far from major urban areas. This does not tell you whether your family lives nearby or far away, or how long the trip would take. If you do not live nearby, calculate separately where your child would live and how they would get to campus—no ZIP code answers that.
One more thing, simple but worth clearing up right away: this university has none of three specific designations that exist in the federal system—it is not a historically Black college or university, it is not a tribal college or university, and it is not a land-grant institution. Of the 3,012 universities in this national directory, 138 do have at least one of those three labels. Dakota State’s not having them says nothing about which students it serves or how your child would feel there. That is something to ask directly by speaking with someone who already attends the campus.
Its Actual Size, and Who Else Shares the Classroom
Dakota State had 3,508 students enrolled in the most recent official count. It is a medium-sized school—neither small nor large—and compared with the other 519 selective-admission, four-year public universities included in this analysis, it is on the smaller side: seven out of ten of those schools have more students.
Of that total, 2,950 are undergraduates and 558 are graduate students. Above all, it is a bachelor’s-level school.
Here is a figure worth considering carefully: among Dakota State undergraduates, 4 out of every 100 students identified as Hispanic or Latino. That is a small number. Compared with the 519 similar schools in this census, Dakota State falls in the bottom quarter—three out of four of those schools report a higher proportion of Latino students.
I want to be clear with you about this: having few Latino students does not make the school bad, just as having many would not make it good. It is simply a number describing who is enrolled. If your child would be one of the few, it makes sense to ask what student groups and support services exist today and to speak with a Latino student who is already there before deciding. The number I just gave you covers the entire school; your child’s experience in their specific major may look different.
There are also more men than women on campus—out of every 100 students, 39 are women—and slightly more than half of the new students, 56 out of every 100, came from the same state of South Dakota.
How the Academic Year Works, and How Flexible the School Is About What Your Child Already Knows
The academic calendar is organized into semesters: two long terms of about 15 weeks each. It is a standard system, with consistent dates for all students.
Something that may benefit your child: the school stated that it accepts credit for AP exams, as well as what IPEDS calls credit for life experience—learning acquired through independent study, adult courses, work experience, portfolios, prior licenses or certifications, and military or professional opportunities. It also reports accepting credit for military training.
But here is the part you should not skip: the school’s stating that it accepts AP credit does not mean it will award credit for every exam. The report does not say what scores are required, how many credits are awarded, or whether those credits count toward your child’s specific major. Ask for the equivalency evaluation in writing before enrolling. Do not calculate the savings until you have it in hand.
The institution also enrolls high school students in college courses for credit, both within and outside a formal dual-enrollment program. If your child is in high school and interested in earning credits early, that pathway exists here.
Where the Academic Offerings Are Focused
In a recent year, Dakota State awarded 338 bachelor’s degrees. Of those, computer and information sciences accounted for 219—that is, 65 out of every 100 degrees, nearly two-thirds of everything the school awards. Compared with 514 similar schools, Dakota State falls in the quarter with the fewest academic fields represented in its bachelor’s-degree catalog.
Put another way: this is very clearly a school focused on computing and technology. That does not make it better or worse overall—it depends entirely on what your child wants to study. If their interest is in computing, information sciences, or related fields, there is a strong concentration of programs and graduates here. If their interest is in another field, it is worth asking directly: how many students graduated from that specific program last year? How easy is it to get the classes they need?
As for group size, the school reports 19 students for every member of its instructional staff, in full-time-equivalent terms. It is a middle-range ratio compared with the overall landscape, but among its 519 direct peers, it falls in the highest quarter—that is, relatively more students per instructor than at most similar schools. This number does not tell you the actual size of a classroom; it is an institutional average, not a measure of first-year classes.
The school also reports structured opportunities such as study abroad, developmental education programs with and without credit, and specific pathways to teacher certification, including state approval for initial teacher certification.
Getting In: What Matters and What the School Says Does Not
Dakota State does not have open admission—there are requirements it reviews before saying yes. Of the nine possible considerations evaluated by this type of report, the school identified four as required: the high school record, GPA, your child’s class rank, and an English-proficiency exam for applicants to whom it applies.
And here is something worth knowing from the start: the list of things the school says it does NOT consider in its admission decision is longer than the list of things it does consider. It does not consider the high school course curriculum, the personal essay, letters of recommendation, a portfolio or competency exam, work experience, or whether a relative attended the school. The academic record carries the most weight here, not the personal story in an essay.
If your child studied outside the United States or attended high school in Spanish, ask now whether the English-proficiency exam applies and what would exempt them. This is one of those things people discover late if they do not ask in time.
The published application fee is $20—low compared with what many universities charge.
Now for the figure that probably interests you most: out of 988 first-time applicants, the school admitted 967. That is 98 out of every 100. Among 519 similar public schools, Dakota State is among those that accept the most applicants—nine out of ten of those schools admit an equal or smaller percentage.
To put it plainly: nearly everyone who applies here gets in. Your child’s energy is better spent meeting deadlines and completing their academic record properly than worrying about competing for a spot.
But—and this matters—being easy to get into says nothing about the cost or how many students complete their degrees. Those two calculations, net price and graduation rate, matter more than admission. We will get to both.
Of those admitted, only 41 out of every 100 ended up enrolling here; the other 59 chose another path. That is a high rate compared with its peers—fewer than one in ten similar schools retain a larger proportion of the students they admit. This number does not measure quality or satisfaction; it only counts how many decided to enroll. When your child’s admission letters arrive, this percentage should not decide anything—place the letters side by side and compare net price, program, and distance.
As for standardized tests, the SAT and ACT are not required here. If your child submits them, they are considered; if not, the application proceeds just the same. Among those who did submit the SAT, the middle half scored between 490 and 660 in reading and writing, and between 530 and 680 in math. These are data for enrolled students who submitted scores—not a minimum that must be reached or a guarantee of anything.
And regarding transfers: in the most recent count, 242 undergraduate students arrived at Dakota State for the first time after studying at another institution. This is a number of people, not a rate, and it falls in the lower half compared with its peers. The school does not report the transfer-out rate—that does not mean no one leaves; it means that figure is not available in this file.
The Price: What the Published Figures Say Before Aid
For the 2023-24 academic year, Dakota State reported a total cost of attendance of $26,109 for a first-time, full-time student who lives on campus and pays the in-state rate. For someone from out of state, that total rises to $29,211.
It is worth looking at the components: $9,633 in tuition and fees for residents, or $12,735 for nonresidents; $8,990 for on-campus housing and food; and $1,200 for books and supplies. The remainder is an estimate of personal expenses made by the financial aid office itself.
Compared with 483 similar schools, this total cost at the resident rate falls below the group’s midpoint—that is, it is relatively affordable compared with its peers, at least at the listed price.
But remember: this is the listed price before any financial aid. It is not the bill your family would receive. And confirm with the institution which rate—resident or nonresident—would apply to your child, because the difference between the two is considerable.
Net Price: What Families Actually Pay, Based on Income
At Dakota State University, among 33 first-time, full-time, credential-seeking students who received federal Title IV aid and paid the in-state or in-district rate, and whose EFC records showed family income below $30,000, the average net price was $15,948. Among 29 students from the same population with EFC family income from $48,001 to $75,000, it was $20,432; among 55 students with EFC family income above $110,000, it was $21,121. For dependent students, the band combines their parents’ income with their own.
There is a difference of $5,173 between the average for the lowest-income band, covering 33 students, and the average for the highest-income band, covering 55 students. Among first-time students who received any grant or scholarship aid, the average was $19,115.
Among the 519 schools of the same type and control included in this census that reported this figure with the same time coverage, Dakota State falls in the most expensive quarter for the lowest-income families. That does not mean you should rule it out. It means you should request the aid letter before deciding.
The income bands in this profile describe first-time, full-time, credential-seeking students who received federal Title IV aid; at this public institution, they use the in-state or in-district rate. The overall average with grant or scholarship aid, when shown, describes first-time, full-time, credential-seeking students who received federal, state, local, or institutional grants or scholarships; it also uses that rate. If your family lives outside the state or district, the calculation is different. Ask about it before applying.
Financial Aid and Loans: Who Receives What
Of degree-seeking students, 64% received some form of aid that does not have to be repaid—a grant or scholarship. That is more than half, but not everyone. Among those who did receive it, the annual average was $5,794. Compared with its peers, Dakota State falls in the quarter where grants and scholarships reach fewer students.
The Pell Grant—federal aid specifically for low-income families—went to 23 out of every 100 students. That is a lower percentage than for overall aid, and the difference may come from other sources of aid—state, institutional, or other federal sources—that this breakdown does not allow you to attribute directly to the school.
When your child’s aid letter arrives, separate it by hand into three piles: what does not have to be repaid, what must be repaid with interest, and what must be earned through work. Many letters mix them together in a single column, and that confuses any family.
As for loans, 36 out of every 100 undergraduate students received a federal loan in the most recent academic year. Among those who borrowed, the average was $6,483 that year. Compared with its peers, that is a typical proportion, neither among the highest nor among the lowest.
Here is a truth I would rather tell you directly: this percentage describes other families, not yours. What your child would need to borrow depends on their own financial aid letter, not on this average. And that average, moreover, covers only one year and only federal loans in the student’s name—it does not include Parent PLUS loans that parents sometimes end up signing for, bank debt, or credit-card debt. It is not the total debt someone has when they graduate.
Campus Life, and What the School Offers
Dakota State does have its own housing, with capacity for 895 students on or off campus. Not all full-time students are required to live there, although that does not rule out the possibility that a specific program may require it. It also offers meal plans, although the number of meals per week varies depending on the plan selected. Before assuming that room and board are automatically included in the budget, ask in writing for this year’s exact rate and the housing application deadline.
As for ROTC, the school indicated that an opportunity is available, specifically for the Air Force. Neither the Army nor the Navy is marked as available in this report. If your child is interested in another branch, it is not confirmed here—that does not mean it is impossible; it means you need to ask directly.
In sports, Dakota State competes at the intercollegiate level and is affiliated with the NAIA, not the NCAA. The report confirms membership for football, basketball, baseball, and cross-country or track and field, but it does not provide details on roster openings or specific scholarships. If sports are part of your child’s plan, contact the coach directly and ask for the response in writing.
Here is a figure that may surprise you: 53 out of every 100 undergraduate students took all their classes remotely, online. That is a high proportion compared with similar schools—among the highest in its group. This does not tell you whether those classes are live or recorded, or whether students must go to campus for exams or labs. If in-person instruction matters to your child, make it a direct question before enrolling.
The library has employed staff, physical and digital materials, and interlibrary lending—a complete system, not something merely symbolic. The institution also reports combined academic and career counseling, employment services for current students, placement services for graduates, a specific point of contact for veterans and military personnel, and a recognized veterans’ student organization.
How Many Stay, and How Many Graduate
Of the full-time, bachelor’s-degree-seeking cohort that entered in 2022, 75 out of every 100 were still enrolled or had already graduated one year later. That is a majority, although compared with its 519 peers it falls slightly below the group’s midpoint. This figure does not separate those who are still studying there from those who have already graduated, and it does not tell you what happened to the rest—leaving does not always mean dropping out; it may mean transferring to another school and continuing there.
Now for the figure that matters most to any family: among first-time, full-time students who entered in 2017, 48 out of every 100 graduated from Dakota State within six years. At the four-year mark, the figure drops to 35 out of every 100. Compared with 518 similar schools, Dakota State falls below the group’s midpoint.
To put it plainly: at six years, it is nearly half and half. Half of that cohort completed a degree from this school; the other half did not. The report counts outcomes but does not explain the reasons in each case—there may be transfers, changes of plan, financial difficulties, or personal decisions. Before deciding, ask directly what specific support the school offers to help a student finish on time and how long it typically takes to complete the specific major your child is considering.
There is a third, longer measure: among students who entered between 2015 and 2016—including full-time and part-time students, first-time students, and those who already had prior college experience—43 out of every 100 had earned a degree or certificate from Dakota State eight years later. Among those who received a Pell Grant, that figure drops to 40 out of every 100, five points lower than among those who did not receive one. Compared with its peers, this eight-year figure falls in the group’s lowest quarter.
This eight-year measure is a snapshot taken at a fixed point in time, not a measure of eight continuous years of study, and it does not tell you how much it cost or how much income was forgone during that time. Before committing, ask in writing how long it takes to complete the program your child is considering, how its required courses are scheduled, and how the total cost changes if the process takes longer.
What These Numbers Cannot Tell You
Nothing you have just read tells you whether your child will be happy there, whether they will find their people, or whether they will complete their degree within the time they expect. These are institutional averages, entire cohorts, and percentages covering thousands of students who are not your child. Their individual experience—in their program, with their preparation, and with the support they receive from you—may resemble these numbers or may be very different from them.
It is your child’s responsibility to study, explore, ask questions of the program that interests them, and decide whether this school makes sense for them. It is your responsibility to understand the family’s finances, request the financial aid letter in writing, verify the admission requirements that actually apply, and support your child without taking on decisions that are not entirely yours. You are not going through the process for your child. You are going through it with them.
Now you have an in-depth understanding of one of the pieces you need to make a decision: what Dakota State University really is, according to its own official data. Combine that with what your child wants to study, what they have built so far, and what your family can and is willing to pay. A real plan comes from that combination—not from a single article or a single figure.
Source note: the information in this article comes from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) and the United States Department of Education, corresponding primarily to the 2022-23 and 2023-24 academic years, with admission, enrollment, cost, financial aid, retention, and graduation data reported directly by the institution to the federal government. Best College Aid does not represent Dakota State University or the United States government; this article organizes and explains public data for informational purposes.