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Dakota State University
Admission Chances & Acceptance Rate

📍 Madison, SD🏛️ Public university📝 Test-optional

This public university in Madison, South Dakota enrolls about 3,200 students and has an 88% acceptance rate. It is strongly oriented toward computer science, which accounts for two-thirds of degrees awarded. In-state tuition is approximately $24,700. The six-year graduation rate is 51%, and graduates earn a median of about $51,000 ten years after enrollment.

Acceptance rate
88.1%
Enrollment
3,241
Test policy
optional
Grad rate (6-yr)
51%

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Admitted Student Profile

The middle 50% of admitted students (25th–75th percentile), self-reported by the school.

SAT (combined)
1190 – 1440
ACT (composite)
20 – 27
GPA
Not published

$ What You'll Actually Pay

Average yearly net price after grants & scholarships, by family income (federal cohort averages — not a personal quote).

$0–30k
$17,317
family income
$30–48k
$18,792
family income
$48–75k
$19,165
family income
$75–110k
$22,601
family income
$110k+
$23,269
family income
17% receive Pell grants
34% take federal loans

Strongest Programs

The fields Dakota State University graduates the most students in — a signal of depth, faculty, and alumni networks.

Computer Science
65.8%
Education
12.2%
Humanities
5.9%
Business & Marketing
5.5%
Health Professions
2.7%

Outcomes

School-level averages across all students who enrolled (College Scorecard). Not a personal forecast.

Earnings (10 yr)
$50,970
Earnings (6 yr)
$46,146
Completion
51%
Retention
75%
Median debt
$23,500

? Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Dakota State University?

Dakota State University has an acceptance rate of 88.1%, making it relatively accessible.

What SAT score do you need for Dakota State University?

The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 1190 and 1440 on the SAT. The ACT range is 20–27.

How much does Dakota State University actually cost?

After grants and scholarships, the average net price for the lowest income band is $17,317 per year, rising to $23,269 for families earning $110k+. These are federal cohort averages, not a personal quote.

What are my chances of getting into Dakota State University?

Your odds depend on how your GPA and test scores compare to admitted students, plus factors like major, residency, and early decision. UniversityOdds calculates a personalized probability for free — enter your stats to see yours.

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Data sourced from IPEDS, the Common Data Set, and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Acceptance probabilities calculated by UniversityOdds are estimates based on published academic data and are not a guarantee of admission. Net price figures are federal cohort averages, not personalized quotes — run the school's official net price calculator for your own estimate.