About Dakota State University

Founded in 1881, Dakota State University. is a Public college. Located in South Dakota, which is a city setting in South Dakota, the campus itself is Town. The campus is home to 2,844 full time undergraduate students, and 346 full time graduate students.

The Dakota State University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 17:1. There are 97 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Dakota State University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate82%
Application Deadline
Application Fee20
SAT Range860-1165
ACT Range19-25

Admissions at DSU are considered Less Selective, with ,15% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 36 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

50% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 22% were in the top quarter, and 7% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Dakota State University.

0%
“We”re apathetic”
67%
“We know about current events and vote”
33%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
17%
“Sometimes, but not often”
83%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
0%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
17%
“I only go out in groups”
17%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
67%
“I feel extremely safe”
17%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
50%
“We bought the gear”
33%
“We live for the big game”
17%
“It”s not really our thing”
33%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
17%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
33%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
67%
“They keep regular office hours”
33%
“They”re always available”
83%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
17%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
50%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
33%
“We only party on weekends”
17%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
0%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
50%
“There might be people who do”
50%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
0%
“We”re apathetic”
67%
“We know about current events and vote”
33%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
17%
“Sometimes, but not often”
83%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
0%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
17%
“I only go out in groups”
17%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
67%
“I feel extremely safe”
17%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
50%
“We bought the gear”
33%
“We live for the big game”
17%
“It”s not really our thing”
33%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
17%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
33%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
67%
“They keep regular office hours”
33%
“They”re always available”
83%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
17%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
50%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
33%
“We only party on weekends”
17%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
0%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
50%
“There might be people who do”
50%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
Write a review, Enter to win $1,000 Scholarship

  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    69 Students rated on-campus housing 3.8 stars. 20 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    45 Students rated off-campus housing 3.7 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    72 Students rated campus food 3.1 stars. 11 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    77 Students rated campus facilities 4.2 stars. 36 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    77 Students rated class size 4.6 stars. 69 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    77 Students rated school activities 3.7 stars. 19 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    78 Students rated local services 4.3 stars. 50 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    77 Students rated academics 4.3 stars. 49 % gave the school a 5.0.

Dakota State University REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Dakota State University?

7 Students rated Dakota State University

Oliver - 06/13/2024

I really love the community and the school, it's the perfect place for the nerds who were outcasted in high school. Everyone here is super nice and understanding and the classes are engaging and interesting, especially taking the computer route of studies.

Tyra - 05/18/2020

It is a really good school for those who are into computer science. The students are all very nice and inviting and they love to support each other at games you'll always see groups hanging out together and having a good time. They have great teachers and administration, it is pretty cost-efficient also.

Paulina - 04/03/2018

Good school, nice people and good faculty. Growing fast, the only problem is the athletic department that is very small and the facilities are terrible, not enough space for all the sports that are at DSU. Not a lot of scholarships either even tho there is a lot of alumnus donating every semester.

Amanda - 02/15/2018

Dakota State University is an overall good school. It is heavily computer inclined which can be a positive or negative. Often, non-computer major programs are not given proper attention by the school. The food varies from day to day. People who are vegetarian or who have special dietary needs will have a hard time eating here. The professors and advisors give adequate time to students, and the classes are overall useful and enjoyable.

Dakota State University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Dakota State University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Dakota State University is 82%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    I would tell myself not to get worked up about meeting new people. I have realized that it isn't as scary as I thought it would be. Also, you do not need to have a lot of friends to be happy. As long as you have a few close friends that give you enough support, you can make it through anything that God throws your way. I would also tell myself to not take too many classes at one time. This can lead to too much stress, not enough sleep, sickness, and grades that don't represent who you really are. Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you don't understand something, don't be afraid to go to a tutor, a friend, or a teacher. Asking for help in college is key because unlike high school some teachers don't care to ask if you understand.

    Read all 129 answers

  3. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    DSU is a wonderful, smaller-sized school that is perfect for students who like classes with smaller numbers of students, and who are certain of what field they want to study.

    Read all 30 answers

  4. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Dakota State University is best known for the technology on campus. Each student is supplied with a Tablet PC. It is necessary that each student have a computer during class, since most of class work is done on a computer. There is a computing services desk on campus for students who have any difficulty with their laptops. Some buildings have fingerprint scanning technology for after hours, along with some rooms having iris scanning technology to gain access.

    Read all 28 answers

  5. What's unique about your campus?

    The best thing about my school is that the teachers are always willing to help. I have never had a teacher that wouldn't make time to help me if I had a question or many questions. They all seem like they enjoy what they do, and that is very encouraging.

    Read all 25 answers

  6. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    The worst thing about my school is the cost of living in the dorms and being required to purchase such large meal plans as a freshman and sophomore. I don't think you should be forced to buy such a big meal plan; it doesn't matter what level of school you have achieved. It shouldn't be required. Living in the dorms many times be noisy, unclean, and distracting to some students. The dorms should be cleaned more often and should have stricter rules about noise.

    Read all 23 answers

  7. Describe the students at your school.

    Some of my classmates are athletes and others are gamers.

    Read all 21 answers

  8. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    Before attending DSU I wish I had really known what I wanted to go into. The school has a lot to offer, but going into it not knowing or having an idea of what I wanted to do was not the smartest thing.

    Read all 21 answers

  9. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    I think a person with a low drive for success shouldn't attend this school. Not only this school, but for all academic facilities.

    Read all 20 answers

  10. What kind of person should attend this school?

    I don't want to say a specific type of person to come to DSU because we have alot of different types of people here. We have a lot of gamers, a few athletes, and then everything in between. If your looking for a huge party school though, this isn't it. We have parties, but nothing too crazy and out of control. If you don't like small school then this isn't for you. Madison has about 3,000 students. I think it's a perfect size for a college because you don't get "cliques".

    Read all 19 answers

  11. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    This school is technology orientated. Every student gets a tablet computer, it is 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} wired, and all classes use the tablets.

    Read all 16 answers

  12. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    I love the way that the technology helps to keep the teaqchers and the students connected to eachother. There is a real atmosphere for learning.

    Read all 16 answers

  13. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    Technology can be frustrating. Be patient. There will be times when your computer does work, or the professor doesn't know how to work the projector but you will get through it. It makes for a few long days sometimes but overall you will enjoy it!

    Read all 12 answers

  14. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    Dakota State University is the highest ranked public regional college in the Midwest according to U.S.News & World Report magazine’s annual analysis of “America’s Best Colleges 2011.” This is the 5th consecutive year that Dakota State has achieved the top position. Dakota State is ranked first in the Top Public Regional Colleges in the Midwest region category. In South Dakota, DSU has the technology mission to lead with a technology emphasis. Everyone gets tablets.

    Read all 1 answers

  15. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    Bright, computer gurus

    Read all 1 answers

  16. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    Dorms unlocked, theater, sports, Homecoming is great! No frats or sororities

    Read all 1 answers

  17. What are the academics like at your school?

    The classes are fairly small, and we all get to know each other.

    Read all 1 answers

  18. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    Somewhat, but there is a lot more to us than that.

    Read all 1 answers

Student Body

Students

44%

female

56%

male

2,844

Total Undergrad Enrollment

346

Total Grad Students

31%

Out-Of-State

67%

In-State

2%

International

Organizations

40

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

21%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
1%
% Asian/Pacific Islander
2%
% Black or African-American
4%
% Hispanic/Latino
4%
% White or Caucasian
83%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

93% of students attending Dakota State University receive some sort of financial aid. 39% were awarded federal grants. While 78% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$11,843

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,200

Books and Supplies

$6,411

Room and Board

19,454

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$12,753
$30 - $48K
$12,762
$48 - $75K
$16,096
$75 - $110K
$17,493
$110K & UP
$17,394

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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