Dakota State University (DSU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Dakota State University
Set in a friendly prairie town with quiet lakes, the campus has a grounded, tech-forward feel. Dakota State University is known for strengths in computing, business, education, and applied sciences, with classes that prize hands-on work and clear thinking. Faculty keep it personal, and students spend time in real labs and collaborative spaces. Library, tutoring, advising, counseling, and a practical career center support the work.
Student life is active and down to earth. There are clubs for builders and creators, intramurals in bright facilities, arts nights, and plenty of room outside for biking or paddling when it warms up. The culture is tight-knit and pragmatic, with a bring-your-own-curiosity vibe. Career prep shows up through internships, employer visits, and alumni ties across the region. Madison's close community adds part-time jobs, local coffee, service projects, and a steady stream of Trojan pride.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Dakota State University (DSU) offers 36 degree programs across 12 major academic fields, graduating approximately 685 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Computer & IT (11 programs, 495 graduates), Education (6 programs, 61 graduates), Business (5 programs, 33 graduates), Liberal Arts (2 programs, 28 graduates) and Health (4 programs, 21 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Computer & IT (11 programs, 495 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Systems Security and Auditing | 152 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Other Award
|
11.1003 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 128 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Other Award
|
11.0101 |
| Information Science | 100 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Other Award
|
11.0401 |
| System and Network Management | 44 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
11.1002 |
| Computer Graphics | 24 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0803 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | 12 |
|
Other Award
|
11.0901 |
| Network and System Administration | 12 |
|
Other Award
|
11.1001 |
| Software and Media Applications | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0899 |
| Information Technology | 5 |
|
Other Award
|
11.0103 |
| Web and Digital Multimedia Design | 5 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
11.0801 |
| Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0102 |
Education (6 programs, 61 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary Education | 36 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1202 |
| Special Education Teaching | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1099 |
| Physical Education Teaching and Coaching | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1314 |
| Instructional Technology | 3 |
|
Master's
|
13.0501 |
| English Language Arts Teacher Education | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1305 |
| Computer Teacher Education | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1321 |
Business (5 programs, 33 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 27 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| Accounting | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0301 |
| Finance, General | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0801 |
| Accounting and Bookkeeping Technology | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0302 |
| Marketing Management | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1401 |
Liberal Arts (2 programs, 28 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Studies | 26 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
24.0102 |
| Liberal Arts and Humanities | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
24.0199 |
Health (4 programs, 21 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Informatics | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
51.2706 |
| Health Information Administration | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0706 |
| Health Information Technology | 5 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
51.0707 |
| Medical Insurance Coding | 2 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
51.0713 |
Mathematics (2 programs, 15 graduates)
Mathematical Sciences, Statistics and Computational Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
27.0101 |
| Mathematics and Statistics | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
27.0503 |
Military Tech (1 programs, 11 graduates)
Defense Technologies and Advanced Military Systems
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strategic Intelligence | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
29.0202 |
Kinesiology (1 programs, 10 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0505 |
English (1 programs, 6 graduates)
English Literature, Creative Writing and Literary Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
23.9999 |
Biological Sciences (1 programs, 3 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.9999 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Dakota State University (DSU).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Dakota State University (DSU)
How much does it cost to attend Dakota State University (DSU)?
The annual tuition at Dakota State University (DSU) is $9,633 for in-state students and $12,735 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $26,109 for in-state students and $29,211 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $8,990 (on) / $9,776 (off) and books and supplies $1,200.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Dakota State University offer?
Dakota State University (DSU) offers 36 academic programs across 12 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Associate's, Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Doctorate (Research), Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (11 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (6 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (5 programs)
- Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities (2 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (4 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Dakota State University?
Dakota State University (DSU) has an 97.9% acceptance rate and a 40.7% yield rate, making it moderately selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 988
- Students admitted: 967
- Students enrolled: 394
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Dakota State University?
Dakota State University (DSU) provides financial aid to 13% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $5,263 and average loans of $7,339.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,208
- State/Local grants: $1,220
- Institutional grants: $3,606
- Federal loans: $5,073
The university supports 317 students with grants and 238 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Dakota State University graduates?
Dakota State University (DSU) graduates earn a median salary of $46,146 after 6 years and $50,970 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $36,497 (25th percentile) to $69,547 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $71,200 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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