Madison, SD Overview
Dakota State University is a public 4-year college located in Madison, South Dakota. There are currently 1,894 undergraduates at Dakota State and the school’s acceptance rate is 79%. The tuition at Dakota State is $9,633 for in-state students and $12,735 for out-of-state.
University
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
1,894
Part-Time Undergrad Students 28%
Undergrad Students Over 25 19%
Pell Grant 18%
Percent Male / Female 70% / 30%
Ethnic Diversity at Dakota State
78% White
5% Hispanic
4% Black
3% Multiracial
3% Asian / Pacific Islander
3% International / Non-Citizen
2% Unknown
1% American Indian / Alaska Native
Academics Snapshot
Student/Faculty Ratio
18:1
Graduation Rate
49%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Computer & Information Sciences
61%
61% of graduates
Education
11%
11% of graduates
Business, Management, & Marketing
9%
9% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
8%
8% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
3%
3% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
Military Technologies & Applied Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
Mathematics
1%
1% of graduates
English Language & Literature
1%
1% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot
$24,737
$9,483
$18,356
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$24,737for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$27,839for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Since Dakota State is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at Dakota State is $24,737 for in-state students in SD, and $27,839 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Dakota State would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
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Dakota State University Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at Dakota State University need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Dakota State University is 003463.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange
Dakota State is in a state that participates in the Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange program. That means if you are a resident of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming, you may be eligible for discounted tuition at Dakota State. Check out the full list of requirements and participating schools on their website.
Pell Grants at Dakota State University
26% of students at Dakota State University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Dakota State University.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Dakota State students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Dakota State University Financial Aid Resources
If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Dakota State or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- Website: https://dsu.edu/admissions/financial-aid/index.html
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 605-256-5152
Admissions Snapshot
79%
23
Is Dakota State test-optional?
Dakota State University is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
Student Outcomes Snapshot
Graduate Income
$50,970
Median Debt $23,500
Debt 10 years after graduation $249
Graduation Rate 49%
What is the graduation rate at Dakota State University?
49% of students who start at Dakota State University end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 9% less than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Dakota State University go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at Dakota State University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $50,970. This is $579 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Dakota State take out in loans?
Graduates of Dakota State have to take out a median of $23,500 in federal student loans. This is $10,000 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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