Campus Identity
Dakota State University is a small public university in Madison, SD. Approximately 2,071 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 88% acceptance rate. Lake Thompson is about 19 miles from campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 65/100 (Pretty Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
Follow Along
@DakotaState
Follow on X (Twitter)
At a Glance
Dakota State University is a small public university in Madison, SD. Approximately 2,071 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 88% acceptance rate. Lake Thompson is about 19 miles from campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 65/100 (Pretty Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading
SAT Math
Campus Lifestyle
Dakota State University is a 1,000–4,999, small-town school with NAIA athletics and an active Greek scene. The campus is 37 miles from Great Bear Ski Valley.
Athletics
NAIA
North Star
Greek Life
Active Organizations
Fraternities & sororities present
School Size & Setting
1,000–4,999
Town setting
Weather
Cold Climate
36°F avg school-year
Nearby Ski Resorts
Dakota State University students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Great Bear Ski Valley, 37 miles away. All are within 155 miles of campus.
South Dakota
Minnesota
Minnesota
Nearby Lake
Lake Thompson is 19 miles from campus, giving Dakota State University students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.
Lake Thompson
Lake access within 18.7 miles
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · Madison, SD
Madison has a cold climate, with winters averaging 14°F in Jan and summers peaking around 72°F in Jul.
Station: MADISON 2 SE · Source: NOAA NCEI
On Campus Safety Score
2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students
Dakota State University in SD earns a composite safety score of 65/100, rated Pretty Safe among U.S. colleges.
On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.
Cost Breakdown
2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.
| Cost Item | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $9,654 | $12,756 |
| Fees | $2,017 | $2,017 |
| Room & Board | $9,066 | $9,066 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $20,737 | $23,839 |
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.
Fields of Study
58 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Dakota State University located?
Dakota State University is located in Madison, SD. The main campus address is 820 N Washington Ave, Madison, SD. It is a public institution offering 4-year degree programs.
What is the acceptance rate at Dakota State University?
Dakota State University has an acceptance rate of 88%, making it accessible. Out of 2,418 applicants, 2,129 were admitted in the most recent year. 2,071 students enrolled.
What ACT score do you need for Dakota State University?
The middle 50% of enrolled students at Dakota State University scored between 20 and 27 on the ACT, with a median of 24. About 67% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.
How much does it cost to attend Dakota State University?
For the 2024-25 academic year, Dakota State University charges $9,654/year for in-state students and $12,756/year for out-of-state students. Including room and board ($9,066/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $12,735/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $21,057/year — what students actually pay. Use Dakota State University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
What is the application fee for Dakota State University?
The undergraduate application fee at Dakota State University is $20. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.
Does Dakota State University have college sports?
Yes — Dakota State University competes at the NAIA level in the North Star. Division III programs emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic competition, without athletic scholarships.
Is Dakota State University the right fit for me?
Whether Dakota State University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (88% admit rate), avg net price ($21,057/year after aid), campus culture in Madison, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Dakota State University against similar schools side-by-side.
Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Dakota State University directly for the most current information.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Public
- Location
- Madison, SD
- Size
- 1,000–4,999
- Degrees Offered
- Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral, Certificates
- NCAA
- NAIA
- Conference
- North Star
- School Year Weather
- Cold · 36°F avg
- App Fee
- $20
- On Campus Safety Score
- 65/100
- Nearest Airport
- Sioux Falls, SD (FSD) · 35 mialso HON (61 mi), ATY (62 mi)
Location
Madison, SD