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Public, 4-Year
Madison, SD

Dakota State University

Explore one of the most distinguished institutions in SD. Your pathway to a brighter future begins here.

Annual Tuition

$9,633

Average Sticker Price

Admission Rate

97.9%

Selectivity Level

Graduation Rate

49.0%

Completion Success

Median Earnings

$50,970

10y Career Outlook

About Institution

Dakota State University is a distinguished Public, 4-Year institution located in Madison, SD. With a competitive tuition profile of $9,633, it remains an attractive choice for ambitious students. A strong graduation rate of 49.0% underscores its academic rigor and effective student support systems.

Admissions Intel

SAT Score Range

Reading & Writing490 – 660
20025th–75th percentile800
Math530 – 680
20025th–75th percentile800

ACT Score Range

Composite20 – 26
125th–75th percentile36

Acceptance Rate

97.9%

Transfer-Out Rate0.0%

Investment Return

Estimated College ROI Analysis

Total 4-Year Cost

$38,532

Based on sticker tuition

Estimated Payback

1.8 yrs

Time to recoup investment

Annual Earnings Boost

+$20,970

vs. $30k HS diploma baseline

10-Year Net Gain

+$171,168

Cumulative earnings advantage minus total college cost

20-Year Net Gain

+$380,868

Long-term projected return on your education investment

Graduation Rate: 49%

Students who don't graduate may still carry debt without the full earnings benefit. Consider program-specific outcomes in the Career Paths section below.

ROI estimates use the BLS national median of $30,000/yr for high school diploma holders as a baseline. Actual results vary based on major, career path, location, and individual circumstances. Median graduate debt at Dakota State University is $23,500.

Student Community

Gender Balance

Women
Men
32.0%
68.0%
FemininityMasculinity

Ethnic Diversity

White
76.4%
Hispanic
5.2%
Black
4.1%
Two or more
3.5%
International
3.3%
Unknown
2.8%
Asian
2.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native
1.8%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0.5%

Security Audit

Safety Rating: 3-Year Aggregate

Incidents

0

Burglary

0

Theft

0

Assault

0

Robbery

0

Rape

0

Arson

0

Murder

0

Financial Outlook

Total Sticker Price

$9,633

Estimated cost before aid.

Net Price By Income

$0 - $30k$15,948
$30k - $48k$16,778
$48k - $75k$20,432
$75k+$21,975

Debt & Financial Aid

Median Debt (grads)$23,500
Pell Grant Recipients16.0%
Using Federal Loans36.3%
Historical 3yr Loan Repayment67.3%

Repayment measured in 2016–17; this federal measure was discontinued.

* Most students receive significant grants and scholarships, reducing the actual cost. Grant data from IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey.

Quick Overview

Faculty Ratio

N/A

Retention

75.3%

Success

49.0%

In-State Cost

$9,633

Age 25+ Students

19.1%

Carnegie Class

Master's: Medium

Working at 6yr

876 students

Security Benchmark

Campus vs. City Comparison (Per 100k)

Violent Offenses

PER 100K
On-Campus0.0
Madison (City-wide)0.0

Property Crimes

PER 100K
On-Campus0.0
Madison (City-wide)0.0

Stats sourced from institutional reports and municipal data. These rates provide a standardized baseline for comparing safety across different environments.