Dakota State vs Rasmussen University-Minnesota

Dakota State University and Rasmussen University-Minnesota stand out as two distinct institutions of higher learning, each catering to unique student aspirations. Dakota State, a public university rooted in Madison, South Dakota, boasts a notably higher acceptance rate, welcoming a broader range of students. Rasmussen, a private university with a campus in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, offers a more focused curriculum, specializing in high-demand fields like nursing, business, and technology. While Dakota State's student body reflects a diverse mix of ages and backgrounds, Rasmussen's student population skews slightly younger, with a significant proportion of students pursuing online programs. As you explore the detailed comparison table below, you'll uncover further insights into these universities' graduation rates, popular majors, and other crucial factors that will help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
Dakota State University logo

Dakota State University

Rasmussen University-Minnesota logo

Rasmussen University-Minnesota

Overview

Location Madison, South Dakota St. Cloud, Minnesota
Campus setting Town: Distant City: Small
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Private (For Profit)
Calendar system Semester Quarter
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 72.0%
Common app member No No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 85.6% Open Admission
Application fees
Undergraduate: $20

Graduate: $35
SAT range 1000 - 1245 N/A
ACT range 19 - 26 N/A
Students submitting SAT score 11.0%
Students submitting ACT score 80.0%
Total number of applicants 681
Total number of admissions given out 583
Admitted students who chose to enroll 366
Yield rate 62.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A Not required
High school GPA Required N/A
Recommendation letters Not required N/A
High school transcript Required N/A
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required N/A

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $24,073

Out of state: $27,175
$25,936
Average net price $17,572 $18,239
Tuition
In state: $7,616

Out of state: $10,718
$10,609
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $4,116

Meal plan: $3,308
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

79.0%
Average amount $4,645
88.0%
Average amount $6,267
Students receiving federal student loan 58.0%
Average amount $4,987
87.0%
Average amount $8,072
Students taking out private loans 11.0%
Average amount $9,288
6.0%
Average amount $14,365

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 2,751
Men 60.9% Women 39.1%
3,658
Men 15.0% Women 85.0%
Graduate students 468
Men 74.8% Women 25.2%
256
Men 23.4% Women 76.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Very Low
Moderate
Out-of-state students N/A 2.0%
International students 4.5% N/A
Campus local/setting Town: Distant City: Small
Dormitory capacity 925 N/A
First year students are required to live on campus? No N/A
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from N/A Minnesota Wisconsin

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Education
  • Business
  • Liberal Arts
  • Health Professions
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Education
  • Law Enforcement and Firefighting
  • Public Administration and Social Service
Students to faculty ratio 18:1 18:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 46.8% 30.8%
Dropout rate 49.8% 69.2%
Transferred out N/A N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $49,983
  • Year 2: $51,035
  • Year 3: $66,125
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $37,841
  • Year 2: $39,369
  • Year 3: $46,318
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $50,973
  • Year 2: $55,964
  • Year 3: $44,718
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $41,205
  • Year 3: $44,370
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $42,682
  • Year 3: $43,878
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $39,153
  • Year 3: $38,114
Computer Software and Media Applications (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $25,986
  • Year 2: $28,598
  • Year 3: $31,143
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $91,122
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $42,967
  • Year 2: $55,964
  • Year 3: N/A
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $69,795
  • Year 2: $76,460
  • Year 3: N/A
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $66,327
  • Year 2: $73,870
  • Year 3: $77,728
Computer Systems Analysis (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $66,682
  • Year 2: $61,516
  • Year 3: $72,522
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,886
  • Year 2: $55,964
  • Year 3: $68,381
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,266
  • Year 2: $56,886
  • Year 3: $60,421
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $48,056
  • Year 2: $52,107
  • Year 3: $59,028
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
  • Year 1: $54,270
  • Year 2: $41,565
  • Year 3: $57,936
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,103
  • Year 2: $50,515
  • Year 3: $57,306
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $47,657
  • Year 2: $45,852
  • Year 3: $50,743
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $49,340
  • Year 2: $47,129
  • Year 3: $50,613
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $47,670
  • Year 2: $44,783
  • Year 3: $49,753