
Dakota State University provides a variety of degree programs for students to aid them in their growth and development. The school is located in Madison, SD and publically funded. Approximately three thousand students enroll at Dakota State yearly.
Students may pick from a few areas of study, including but not limited to:
- Computer And Information Sciences
- Education
- Business And Marketing Studies
- Health And Clinical Professions
- Recreation And Fitness Studies
Students applying for admission are required to submit an application, transcripts, standardized test scores and any requested letters of recommendations, which will then be reviewed by the admissions committee. Students may take either the ACT or SAT scores to be considered for admissions to this school. A score in a range of 850 - 1070 on the SAT, or 18 - 25 for the ACT is common among admitted students. Dakota State admits about 90% of students applying annually. Of those admitted, nearly 49% of students registered for enrollment. More information regarding admissions can be found here.
Tuition & fees at Dakota State University are different for in-state and out-of-state residents. In-state tuition costs close to $7,600 per year, while out-of-state tuition costing $9,500 per year. Housing may be available for those that want to live on-campus for a cost of $3,000 for the year. Some students at Dakota State University may be eligible for financial aid, which is generally provided in the form of loans, grants, scholarships and work study programs.
The Dakota State University Trojans participate in a number of athletic programs, overseen by the NAIA. Athletic programs that are available may include:
- Baseball (NAIA Division II)
- Basketball (NAIA Division II)
- Track & Field (NAIA Division II)
Contact information, academics information, areas of study, and much more may be accessed on school's website at http://www.dsu.edu.
Admission Requirements & Details
The admissions information below may give you an idea of the candidates Dakota State University accepts. The details may include admissions application requirements and recommendations, as well as any college or dual credits that may be transferred.
College Credits Accepted
- Dual Credits
- Life Experience Credits
- AP Course Credits
Student Enrollment
Total enrollment at Dakota State University is around 3,100 students. The student body is made up of 90% undergraduate students and 11% graduate students.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $14,000. To calculate a more personalized cost visit the net price calculator. There is also a $20 application fee for students applying to the school. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- Annual tuition range estimates:
- State Residents: $4,200-$5,000
- Out-of-State: $6,300-$7,510
- Charges per unit:
- In-State: $270-$320 per unit
- Out-of-State: $350-$420 per unit
Financial Aid Details
The table below breaks down the types of financial aid, the percent of students receiving aid, and average amount of aid per student per year.
Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
---|---|---|
Any Financial Aid | 95% | - |
Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 79% | $3,911 |
Receiving Student Loans | 78% | $7,485 |
Academics & Student Services
Student Services
To help students and recent graduates, Dakota State University may provide student services like those listed below:- Online classes
- Remedial instructional courses
- Counseling assistance
- Employing students to lower education costs
- Helping students find work after graduation
Graduation Rates
Dakota State has an overall graduation rate which is approximately 47%.
Number of Year to Graduate | Percent of Entering Class |
---|---|
Students Graduating in 4 Years | 18% |
Graduating in 5 Years | 21% |
Graduating in 6 Years | 5% |
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
- Elementary and Secondary School Teacher Education Program
- * Accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (since 1954)
Intercollegiate Athletics
Dakota State University is a Member of National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), with many of the sports being in the NAIA Division II classification. The most popular sports played are listed below:
- Baseball (373)
- Basketball (373)
- Track and Field (373)
- Football (373)
- Softball
- Volleyball
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.

Get more information about the programs offered by Dakota State University by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences (B)
Business and Marketing Studies
- Business Administration (A, B, M)
- Advertising and Marketing (B)
- Finance (B)
- Accounting (B)
Computer and Information Sciences
- Information Science (B, C, D, M)
- Computer and Information Systems Security (B, M)
- Computer Graphics (B)
- Computer (B, M)
- System Networking (A, B)
- Information Technology (C)
- System Administration (C)
- Web Design (C)
- Computer Programming
Education
- Elementary Education (B)
- Special Education and Teaching (B)
- Physical Education (B)
- Mathematics Teacher Education (B)
- Educational and Instructional Media Design (M)
- English and Language Arts Teacher Education (B)
- Computer Teacher Education (B)
- Business Teacher Education (B)
- Biology Teacher Education
English Language and Literature
- English Language and Literature, Letters (B, C)
- Technical and Business Writing
Health and Clinical Professions
- Respiratory Therapy (A, B)
- Medical Records Administrator (B, M)
- Health Information and Medical Records Technology (A)
- Medical Insurance Coding (C)
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Liberal Arts (B)
- General Studies (A)
Mathematics and Statistics
- Mathematics and Statistics
Physical Sciences
- Physical Sciences (B)