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Dakota State University

Dakota State

Madison, South Dakota 57042-1799

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitCollege town

Known for computer science

Dakota State University is a public town institution in Madison, South Dakota. The school is accessible to a wide range of students, with an average SAT of 1129.

A small campus of 2K undergraduates with a 19:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

49% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $50,970 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $19,725.

Established
1890
Mascot
Thundar
Type
Public land-grant research university
Division
Division I

Campus Visits

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98%Acceptance
1129SAT Avg
1,969Students
19:1Student:Faculty
49%Grad Rate
$50,970Earnings 10yr
$19,725Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate97.9%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1129

Reading & WritingMid: 570
490660
MathMid: 553
530680

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 23
2026

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$9,633
Tuition (out-of-state)$12,735
Room & Board$8,990
Books & Supplies$1,200
Total Cost of Attendance$24,447
Average Net Price$19,725
Median Debt at Graduation$23,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$249

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$15,948
$30–48K$16,778
$48–75K$20,432
$75–110K$21,975
$110K+$21,121

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

64.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

0.9%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$14,250

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

14

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

3

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

2

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

4

Drug Arrests

3

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (53)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

75%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
1,969
Gender Split
32% / 68%
Women / Men
First Generation
28%
Pell Grant Recipients
16%

Race & Ethnicity

White 76%
Black 4%
Hispanic 5%
Asian 2%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 3%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate49.3%
Freshman Retention75.3%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$46,146
10 Years$50,970

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#231
—
vs 2024
Forbes
#275
—
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
—
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#147
—
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — North Dakota

BasketballBasketball championshipsGolf

History & Fun Facts

  • •NDAC was established as North Dakota's land-grant institution.
  • •Stockbridge became the first NDAC president and the board of trustees was formed.
  • •The first class of students were admitted on September 8, 1891.
  • •College Hall (Old Main) was completed in 1892 and was the first building on campus.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

90Average

Estimated from SD state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Minneapolispop. 430K
201 mi(348 min)
Kansas Citypop. 500K
364 mi(631 min)
Milwaukeepop. 570K
466 mi(808 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MSP Minneapolis-St Paul201 mi
MCI Kansas City349 mi
MKE Milwaukee468 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1312 mi · ~37h 54m drive
New York, NY1197 mi · ~34h 35m drive
Hartford, CT1242 mi · ~35h 53m drive
Providence, RI1304 mi · ~37h 40m drive
Albany, NY1174 mi · ~33h 55m drive
Syracuse, NY1050 mi · ~30h 20m drive
Rochester, NY976 mi · ~28h 12m drive
Buffalo, NY916 mi · ~26h 28m drive
Philadelphia, PA1158 mi · ~33h 27m drive
Pittsburgh, PA908 mi · ~26h 14m drive
Harrisburg, PA1065 mi · ~30h 46m drive
Newark, NJ1189 mi · ~34h 21m drive
Washington, DC1094 mi · ~31h 36m drive
Baltimore, MD1104 mi · ~31h 54m drive
Atlanta, GA983 mi · ~28h 24m drive
Charlotte, NC1054 mi · ~30h 27m drive
Raleigh, NC1129 mi · ~32h 37m drive
Miami, FL1578 mi · ~45h 35m drive
Orlando, FL1377 mi · ~39h 47m drive
Tampa, FL1375 mi · ~39h 43m drive
Nashville, TN769 mi · ~22h 13m drive
New Orleans, LA1045 mi · ~30h 11m drive
Richmond, VA1119 mi · ~32h 20m drive
Chicago, IL501 mi · ~14h 28m drive
Detroit, MI717 mi · ~20h 43m drive
Minneapolis, MN201 mi · ~5h 48m drive
St. Louis, MO517 mi · ~14h 56m drive
Kansas City, MO364 mi · ~10h 31m drive
Indianapolis, IN635 mi · ~18h 21m drive
Columbus, OH776 mi · ~22h 25m drive
Cleveland, OH800 mi · ~23h 7m drive
Milwaukee, WI466 mi · ~13h 28m drive
Dallas, TX777 mi · ~22h 27m drive
Houston, TX989 mi · ~28h 34m drive
Austin, TX950 mi · ~27h 27m drive
San Antonio, TX1011 mi · ~29h 12m drive
Los Angeles, CA1321 mi · ~38h 10m drive
San Francisco, CA1384 mi · ~39h 59m drive
San Diego, CA1332 mi · ~38h 29m drive
Seattle, WA1234 mi · ~35h 39m drive
Portland, OR1253 mi · ~36h 12m drive
Denver, CO501 mi · ~14h 28m drive
Phoenix, AZ1085 mi · ~31h 21m drive
Salt Lake City, UT786 mi · ~22h 42m drive
Honolulu, HI3769 mi · ~108h 53m drive
Upper Midwest / Northeast (cold winters, warm summers)

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