Dakota State University campus
Dakota State University logo

Dakota State University

Type 4 year, Public
Campus locale Town: Distant
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate
Calendar system Semester
Student body size Small
Dormitory capacity 925
Student to faculty ratio 18 to 1
Acceptance rate 86%
Students retention rate 72%
On-time graduation rate 47%

Located in Madison, South Dakota, Dakota State is a public, institution that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. The college operates on a semester-based calendar system, providing students with structured academic terms.

The acceptance rate of 86% indicates that Dakota State is open to a wide range of applicants, providing opportunities for a diverse student body.

Dakota State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ensuring that the institution meets certain standards of quality and effectiveness. This accreditation also allows students to transfer credits to other accredited institutions if they choose to continue their education elsewhere.

The student-to-faculty ratio at Dakota State is 18-to-1, which is slightly higher than both the state and national averages. The state average student-to-faculty ratio in South Dakota is 15-to-1, while the national average is 17-to-1. A lower student-to-faculty ratio generally allows for more personalized attention and interaction between students and faculty.

While the on-time graduation rate at Dakota State is reported to be 47%, it is essential to consider the context of this statistic. For comparison, South Dakota state's graduation rate for the 2021-2022 was 45% whereas the national average was 49%.

The student retention rate of 72% at Dakota State suggests that a significant percentage of students choose to continue their studies at the institution after their first-year.


  • Accredited by: Higher Learning Commission
  • The institution provides on-campus housing

Acceptance Rate

Fall 2021 admitted students

85.6%

In-State Tuition & Fees

$9,633

Cost of attendance at Dakota State University in 2022 for students from South Dakota.

See how the college's in-state sticker price compares to 4 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

South Dakota's average $8,020
National average $8,573

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$12,735

Cost of attendance at Dakota State University in 2022 for the out-of-state and international students

See how the college's out-of-state sticker price compares to 4 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

South Dakota's average $10,613
National average $18,862

Average Grant & Scholarships

In 2022, 79 of freshman students at Dakota State University received on average $4,645 in grant and scholarships from the college, the state and/or the federal government. Below is detail stats of the aid provided to full-time, freshman students.

$4,645
Students Receiving Aid Average Amount Total Amount
Pell Grant 84 23% $4,057 $340,814
Other Federal Grant 101 28% $4,588 $463,438
State Grant/Scholarships 85 24% $1,122 $95,400
Institutional Grant/Scholarships 250 69% $3,060 $765,034
Total Grant & Scholarships 285 79% $4,645 $1,323,872

Graduation Rate

The following chart shows the graduation rate of Dakota State University students who enrolled in 2015 and after. The stat covers all undergraduates registered as full-time students to study a 4-year bachelor's degree program for the first time.

The breakdown shows the graduation rate by race/ethnicity of US students. All international students are represented under one group.

As of August 31, 2021, the average graduation rate of Dakota State University students is 46.8%. Female students graduated at a rate of 52.8%, whereas male students graduated at a rate of 43.8%.

46.8%

  • asian 66.7% 2 students
  • white 50.7% 141 students
  • hispanic 20.0% 2 students
  • International Students 50.0% 2 students
  • Mixed Race 21.4% 3 students

Sport Conferences

  • Football North Star Athletic Association
  • Baseball North Star Athletic Association
  • Basketball North Star Athletic Association
  • Track and Cross Country North Star Athletic Association

Athletic Associations

  • NAIA
    National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)

Service Offerings

Dakota State University provides the following additional services to its students
  • Remedial services
  • Placement services for graduates
  • Academic/career counseling services
  • Employment services for students

Educational Offerings

Dakota State University offers educational programs in the following categories. Check the programs section to learn more about specific programs that you are interested in.
  • Academic

Special Learning Opportunities

  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification
  • ROTC - Air Force

Veteran Services

  • Member of Service-members Opportunity Colleges
  • Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military service-members, and their families
  • Recognized student veteran organization
  • Credit for military training