C
Average
Score: 50/100

Dakota State University

4-Year Public
📍 Madison, South Dakota 57042
ℹ️
Rating Context: ⚠️ Limited Data Available. Some metrics for this institution are incomplete or unavailable, which may affect the overall grade. Consider researching this school directly for the most current information.

Suggested Focus: For this type of institution, we recommend prioritizing the Outcomes Score (B) which measures graduation and job placement rates — the most relevant metrics for career programs.
Graduation Rate: 49%
Outcomes
B
67/100
Affordability
C
46/100
Resources
D
42/100
Experience
B
67/100
Prestige
F
27/100

Quick Stats

3,508
Total Enrollment
49%
Graduation Rate
75%
Retention Rate
19.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
98%
Acceptance Rate
$19,115
Avg Net Price
🏠 Housing Market Near Dakota State University

1% of students live off-campus (not with family), creating consistent rental demand near campus. That's approximately 49 students who need housing.

Avg Home Value
$273,405
Avg Monthly Rent
$864
1-Year Change
+5.3%
For parents & investors

The Dakota State University Town Property Report

  • Avg home value near campus: $273,405
  • Avg rent near campus: $864/mo — vs ~$502/mo campus room rate
  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 57042 (2.5% cap, Madison)

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🏆 Where Dakota State University Ranks

Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.

#14
System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management/Manager
of 20 schools

Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $7,616 $10,718
Room $4,520
Board $4,108
Total Cost (On-Campus) $26,109 $29,211

Financial Aid

95%
Receive Any Aid
25%
Receive Pell Grants
66%
Take Out Loans
$19,115
Avg Net Price

Net Price by Family Income

Family Income Average Net Price
$0 - $30,000$15,948
$30,001 - $48,000$16,778
$48,001 - $75,000$20,432
$75,001 - $110,000$21,975
$110,001+$21,121

Programs & Career Paths

Top Degree Programs

Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.

Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance 152 grads/yr Computer and Information Sciences, General 128 grads/yr Information Science/Studies 100 grads/yr System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management/Manager 44 grads/yr Elementary Education and Teaching 36 grads/yr Business Administration and Management, General 27 grads/yr General Studies 26 grads/yr Computer Graphics 24 grads/yr Mathematics, General 14 grads/yr Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications 12 grads/yr Special Education and Teaching, Other 12 grads/yr Network and System Administration/Administrator 12 grads/yr Strategic Intelligence 11 grads/yr Exercise Science and Kinesiology 10 grads/yr Computer Software and Media Applications, Other 10 grads/yr Medical Informatics 9 grads/yr Physical Education Teaching and Coaching 8 grads/yr English Language and Literature/Letters, Other 6 grads/yr Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design 5 grads/yr Information Technology 5 grads/yr

Related Career Paths

Careers that graduates from Dakota State University's top programs commonly pursue.

Computer and information systems managers
$171k/yr 667,100 jobs
Database architects
$136k/yr 66,900 jobs
Computer network architects
$130k/yr 179,200 jobs
Information security analysts
$125k/yr 182,800 jobs
Database administrators
$105k/yr 78,000 jobs
Network and computer systems administrators
$97k/yr 331,500 jobs
Computer network support specialists
$73k/yr 152,700 jobs
Computer and information research scientists
$141k/yr 40,300 jobs

Student Demographics

3,508
Total Students
36%
Women
69%
Traditional Age (18-24)
1%
Off-Campus Renters

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 75%
Hispanic 5%
Black 5%
Asian 3%
Two or More 3%
Non-Resident 6%

🏠 Living Arrangements

On Campus 94%
Off-Campus (Renters) 1%
With Family 5%
🏘️ Rental Demand: ~49 students need off-campus housing

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 23%
Hybrid (Some Online) 19%
Fully Online 58%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 69%
25-64 (Adult) 19%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Dakota State University?
Dakota State University has an acceptance rate of 98%. This indicates a less selective admissions process with good chances for qualified applicants.
How much does it cost to attend Dakota State University?
Tuition at Dakota State University is $7,616 for in-state students and $10,718 for out-of-state students . However, the average net price after financial aid is $19,115.
What is the graduation rate at Dakota State University?
The graduation rate at Dakota State University is 49%. This graduation rate is below average. Consider factors like program type and student demographics when evaluating.
Is Dakota State University a good school?
Dakota State University has a Repit College Score of 50/100 (Grade: C). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (B): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (C): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (D): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (B): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (F): Reputation and recognition
Note: As a smaller institution, we recommend focusing on the Outcomes score when evaluating this school.
How many students attend Dakota State University?
Dakota State University has a total enrollment of 3,508 students.
Is there rental demand near Dakota State University?
Yes! Approximately 1% of students at Dakota State University live off-campus (not with family). That's roughly 49 students who need rental housing near campus.

Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Dakota State University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →

🎓 Similar Colleges to Dakota State University

Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.

C
Black Hills State University
Spearfish, SD · 3,475 students
C+
Northern State University
Aberdeen, SD · 3,521 students
C+
Oglala Lakota College
Kyle, SD · 1,229 students
C+
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD · 9,868 students
C+
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Rapid City, SD · 2,492 students
C
University of Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls, SD · 1,509 students

Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: September 2026 | Methodology