Placement Metric
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University Guide
About Dakota State University
Explore overview, courses, fees, admissions, campus life, scholarships and student accommodation guidance in one premium Admistay guide.
Dakota State University is a public university in Madison, South Dakota. It has an enrollment of 3,268 students including 2,818 undergraduates and 420 graduates. Over 90 international students representing 25 countries call the university their home. As per the fall intake, the acceptance rate of the university was 77%. The freshmen class enrolled 425 incoming students and marked the largest freshman class in the history of the university.
The University offers degrees from the associate to doctoral levels and certificate programs through 4 schools and colleges. DSU online delivers a number of programs and has an enrollment of 1,418 internet-only students. It is also known as the best online college in South Dakota in the Best Value Schools. It also earned the tag of Military Friendly School. The university has quite a high employment rate with 22 majors having 100% placement rate. It is among the most affordable places to study in the US.
Dakota State University Rankings
Dakota State University has ranked in the following categories:
U.S. News and World Report
- #91 in Regional Universities Midwest
- #145 in Top Performers on Social Mobility
- #26 in Top Public Schools
Highlights
| Establishment Year | 1881 |
| Type | Public |
| Location | South Dakota |
| Campus Setting | Urban |
| Type of programs | Bachelor's, Associate, Doctor's and Master's |
| Academic Calendar | Semester |
| Location | Madison, South Dakota |
| Applications Submitted | Online |
| Student To Faculty Ratio | 17:1 |
| Acceptance Rate | 83% |
| Financial Aid | Work While Studying (Graduate Assistantships) |
| Students Enrollment | 3190 |
| Website | dsu.edu |
| Admission Helpdesk | [email protected], 1-888-378-9988 |
Dakota State University Campus
- The campus of Dakota State University consists of 5 buildings. The oldest campus structure is the Beadle Building, designed in 1886. The most recent structure is the Beacom Technology Institute.
- KDSU is an university campus radio station that streams digitally at kdsu.net other than in the Student Union. The radio features many musical styles, from pop and rock to nation.
- There are more than 45 clubs and organizations for students to participate in such as anime club, arts club, computer club, exercise science club, etc.
- Other amenities available on the campus are dining, housing, bookstore, healthcare facilities, international students services etc.
Dakota State University Residence
- Dakota State University consists of six residential halls, two apartment-style residential complexes and the Girton House each of them offers different facilities, some are:
- Emry Hall
- Emry hall was designed in 1968.
- Emry Hall is a co-ed building which mainly provides housing facility to first-year students enrolled in the First Year Residence Experience Program.
- The Courtyard
- The courtyard was designed in the fall of 2017. It is a co-ed building that usually provides housing facilities to upper class students. The whole residence hall is on a single floor.
- Zimmermann Hall
- Constructed in 1964, it is for male students which provides housing facilities to first-year students enrolled in the First Year Residence Experience Program as well as first time college students.
- Van Eps Place
- Van Eps Place is situated four blocks from the university campus in the South West.
- It offers housing facilities to over 23 co-ed students and is situated near restaurants, convenience stores and grocery shopping centers in a quiet suburban neighborhood.
- All the housing facilities are provided with all kinds of amenities that are required for comfortable living such as laundry facilities, kitchen, Television and Wifi.
Dakota State University Programs
- A variety of programs at Dakota State University are available to interested candidates.
- DSU offers over 40 undergraduate and graduate programs, seven associate degrees, 21 certificate programs through its four colleges:
- College of Arts & Sciences
- College of Business & Information Systems
- The Beacom College of Computer & Cyber Sciences
- College of Education
- Dakota state university's easy, accessible online programs offer an opportunity to earn a degree while managing work and family responsibilities.
- DSU offers associate degrees in business management, network and security administration, respiratory care and health information technology.
- There are also doctoral degrees in philosophy in cyber defense, philosophy in cyber operations and philosophy in information systems.
Dakota State University Application Process
The admission criteria and qualification standards are different for international students who wish to get admitted into Dakota State University. Moreover, the process differs for UG and PG applications:
Admission Deadlines:
The application deadlines for international undergraduate admission to Dakota State University are as follows:
| Semester | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall | June 15 |
| Spring | November 15 |
Undergraduate Admissions
- Application portal: DSU UG Portal
- Application fee: 20 USD
Admission requirements:
- ACT score must be 18 or higher or SAT score must be 950 or higher.
- GPA should be 2.6 on the basis of 4.0 scale.
- Rank should be 60 percent or higher in high school.
- Letter of recommendation.
- Proof of financial support.
Graduate Admissions
- Application portal: DSU PG Portal
- Application fee: 20 USD
Admission requirements:
- Official college transcripts.
- Submission of TOEFL scores is mandatory for international students.
- 3 letters of recommendation.
- Bachelor’s degree or a professional degree.
Dakota State University Cost Of Attendance
- If you are an international student, it is helpful to get an idea of all the expenses while studying in the US.
- The estimated cost of studying at DSU is given below:
| Expenses | Cost for non-residents |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | 5,906.25 USD |
| Wireless Computing Fee | 396.75 USD |
| Housing and Food Service | 3,574.00 USD |
| Estimated Cost Per Semester | 9,877.00 USD |
| Estimated Total yearly cost | 19,754.00 USD |
- The estimated cost may differ as it depends on the program the student will choose.
Dakota State University Financial Aid
- Financial help includes grants, loans, scholarships but for international students, only Work while studying is an option.
- However, There are different forms of financial assistance available for international students studying in the US which can be seeked from external sources.
Work-Study
- Graduate Assistantships
- Students in the MSIS, MSCD, MSA, MSET, MSCS and PhDIS programs, the university provides competitive graduate work while studying programs every semester.
- Requirements for graduate Assistantships:
- Students must attend the university regularly.
- Students must retain a 3.25 GPA to renew the assistantship each semester.
- Students must work part-time at DSU for about 19.5 hours per week.
- Requirements for graduate Assistantships:
- Students in the MSIS, MSCD, MSA, MSET, MSCS and PhDIS programs, the university provides competitive graduate work while studying programs every semester.
- Eligibility for graduate Assistantships:
- Be a full-time regular student who will give a complete commitment to the assistantship program.
- Students must not be working full time outside the university.
- Be enrolled with the Assistantship for a regular course set.
- Confirmation of GRE with official scores must be submitted to the graduate Office.
- International students should have an F-1 visa and also have a social security number or must be in the process of receiving one. Non-student visa applicants are not qualified for a position till they receive the F-1 visa.
Dakota State University Alumni
- Notable alumni of DSU are:
- Shantel Swedlund Krebs is a former South Dakota secretary of state.
- Richard Barrett Lowe was a writer and director of the 1929 movie ‘Dakotah,’ shot with DSU faculty members.
- Thomas Bailey is a professional baseball player.
- Josh Conklin is a former American football player and coach.
Dakota State University Placements
- The placement figures for Dakota State University are 98 per cent for undergraduate students and 100 per cent for graduate students.
- Handshake is the main portal to browse for work and internships for DSU students and alumnies.
- Options vary from on-campus work-study roles to internships and specialized elite roles provided across our vast network of corporate, government, charity, and educational connections.
FAQs
Ques. Is Dakota State University a prestigious university?
Ans. Dakota State University ranks 91st in regional universities midwest and 26th in top public universities in U.S. News and World Report.
Ques. Is Dakota State University accredited?
Ans. Yes. Dakota State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Ques. What is Dakota State University known for?
Ans. Dakota State University is known as one of the best online colleges in South Dakota. Some popular online programs include Accounting, Business Management, Cyber Operations, Education, Marketing, etc.
Ques. Does Dakota State University offer dorms?
Ans. Dakota State University has six residential homes and apartments that are both dorm styles and apartment styles.
Ques. What is the average ACT for admission to Dakota State University?
Ans. The average ACT score for admission to Dakota State University is 23.
Ques. What is the application fee for applying to Dakota State University?
Ans. There is an application fee of 20 USD for applying to Dakota State University.
Ques. How can I apply to Dakota State University?
Ans. Students can apply to Dakota State University by completing the online application on the university’s application portal.
Ques. What is the minimum GPA required for admission to Dakota State University?
Ans. A minimum high school GPA of 2.6 on 4.0 is required for admission to Dakota State University.
Ques. How much is the tuition per credit at Dakota State University?
Ans. The per credit hour fee for non-resident undergraduates is 393.75 USD.
Ques. Does Dakota State University offer any kind of scholarships?
Ans. Yes. There are scholarships like general scholarships, champion scholarships, rising scholarships, etc. However, international students are not eligible for scholarships.
Courses & Fees
Compare courses in a cleaner, easier way
Explore tuition, duration, language, eligibility, and exam requirements without the clutter.
Courses
23
Fee from
₹8,12,895.66
Exams
IELTS · TOEFL
Showing 5 of 17 bachelors
Overview
Degree TypeBachelor
Duration4 years
Study ModeFull Time
LanguageEnglish
Fees
Tuition FeeINR 11.5 L/Yr
Native FeeUSD 12,278 /Yr
Estimated Total₹1107924
Fee trendTuition progression
Admission Guide
Admission Process
Dakota State University with an acceptance of 77% has a moderately selective admission policy. Dakota State University has a total student population of 3,268 including 2,818 undergraduate and about 450 graduate students. The institution hosts international students coming from over 25 nations to study in the USA. It offers more than 45 UG majors along with masters, associate, certificate and doctoral programs across its four academic colleges.
DSU offers admission to undergraduate and graduate students during the fall, spring and summer academic seasons. Although SAT and ACT aren’t mandatory parameters of acceptance, however, the students are recommended to submit the scores to demonstrate their academic capabilities. For MBA admissions a bachelor in business admission with a GPA of 3.0 is essential along with a GMAT score of 450.
Highlights
| Application Portal | DSU Application Portal |
| Application Fee | Undergraduate: 20 USD Graduate- 35 USD |
| Mode of payment | Credit card/Bank check |
| Acceptance Rate | 77% |
| SAT/ACT scores | SAT- 950 or above ACT composite scores-18 or above |
| Graduate Placement rate | 99% |
| Student-faculty Ratio | 19:1 |
| Intake Seasons | Fall, Spring, Summer |
| Financial-aid | Loans, scholarships, work-study programs |
| Admission Helpline | [email protected] (605) 256-5139 |
Dakota State University Admission Deadlines
International students willing to study in the US are advised to apply within the university specified deadlines to secure admission at the university. The application deadlines of DSU are tabulated as follows:
| Intake Session | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall semester | June 15 |
| Spring semester | November 15 |
| Graduate program | Varies with program |
Dakota State University International Admissions
More than 90 students from around 25 diverse countries are currently studying at Dakota State University. The international programs office of the university assists international students on different admission related and other matters. International students are required to fulfil at least one of the below academic criteria
- A minimum of 2.60/4.00 GPA
- Among top 60 in the class
- Either an SAT score: 950 with subscores of at least 480 on the Math and 450 on the Critical Reading or composite score of 18 or with a minimum subscore of 20 on English writing
Document Requirements:
- Original or officially certified copies of academic report
- Transcripts of the record of secondary school
- Officially certified translations of the documents
- Three forms of recommendation
- Certificate of financial responsibility.
- TOEFL/IELTS/ PTE scores
- SAT/ ACT scores (optional)
- GMAT/ GRE scores (required for graduate programs)
- Passport
English Language Score Requirements
International students ambitious for a study inTSU are required to fulfil the minimum test score requirements of the following English Language tests.
Visa Requirements for International Students
International students willing to study in the USA are required to submit proof of two MMR immunizations and certification of financial responsibility along with the required transcripts and documentation to obtain a US student visa. After the verification of the documents, the students receive an I-20 form which is required to apply for an F-1 student Visa.
- Once the I-20 form has been issued, the students must pay the SEVIS fee
- After the SEVIS fee is paid
- Completed I-20 form
- Valid Passport
- Proof of financial support
- Receipt of SEVIS fee payment
- Visa application forms
- Official admission letter from Dakota State University
The students must schedule for a visa interview and provide the following documents to the US embassy to be eligible for the visa.
Dakota State University Undergraduate Admissions
DSU offers admissions to international undergraduate students in more than 45 majors. As an international candidate if you meet all the requirements like academic score, enough finances and English language skills getting admission in the UG courses of DSU is effortless.
Application Portal: UG Application Portal
Application Fees: 20 USD
Documents Required:
- High school transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Documents of financial verification
- Writing samples
- English proficiency scores
Dakota State University Graduate Admissions
There are a plethora of postgraduate degrees offered by the university which includes degrees from arts, science, business administration, technology, health, and related studies, etc. The requirements for PG courses at DSU vary as per the course. Below you can check to know more in detail.
Admission Portal: Online Graduate Application Portal
Admission Fees: 35 USD
Academic Requirements:
- UG degree with a grade point of 2.7
- PG gegree with a grade point of 3.0 (if completed)
- English language proficiency
- Official transcript from last attended institution
- Three letters of recommendation
- Financial statement verification
- Proof of financial support support
Additional program-specific requirements of popular graduate programs are mentioned below:
| Graduate Programs | Application Deadlines | Academic Requirements | GMAT/GRE Scores | Work Experience | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBA | Fall- August 15 Spring- November 15 Summer- April 15 |
B.S in Business Administration with minimum GPA: 3+ | Minimum GMAT score: 450, GRE score: 143 | Two years | Students without a UG degree in the business field may need to complete foundation courses before enrolling on a masters degree |
| MS Information Systems | Fall- June 15 Spring- November 15 |
UG with GPA: 3.25/4.0 | GRE scores | Not required | Must have good knowledge of business fundamentals and information systems |
| MS in Computer Science | Fall- June 15 Spring- November 15 Summer- April 15 |
UG in computer science or related field with GPA: 3.0/4.0 | GRE scores | Not required | Transcripts showing completion of programming courses |
| MS in Educational Technology | Fall- June 15 Spring- November 15 Summer- April 15 |
UG with GPA: 2.7/4.0 | GRE scores required | Not required | A two-page personal statement of technological competency |
| MS in Analytics | Fall- August 15 Spring- November 15 Summer- April 15 |
UG with GPA: 2.7/4.0 | GRE score (waive off if GPA is more than 2.5) | Not required |
Transcript of completion of courses in key areas such as programming principles, database design and programming and statistical principles |
Applicants are recommended to apply within the specified deadlines to get accepted into the university. The selected candidates are notified as soon as the verification and processing of the applications are done. Upon selection, students will be given an I-20 form which is required to apply for an F-1 student Visa. Students having financial worries can apply for financial aid including several scholarships and loans.
FAQs
Ques. What is the average salary of a Dakota State University graduate?
Ans. According to PayScale, the average salary of a graduate from Dakota State University is $63,930
Ques. What kind of financial aid is provided to international students?
Ans. A wide range of loans, scholarships, and work-study programs are offered by Dakota State University
Ques. Which test scores are required to demonstrate English language proficiency?
Ans. The students whose native language isn’t English are required to acquire minimum English language proficiency scores by appearing in tests like TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE Academic.
Ques. Do I need to translate my academic transcripts into English for the admission process at Dakota State University?
Ans. The academic records, if in English, are direct to be sent to the university. However, if academic reports are in any language other than English; they must be sent to:
Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE) PO Box 514070 Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470 USA Tel: 414-289-3400 Fax: 414-289-3411 or
World Education Services (WES) P.O. Box 745 – Old Chelsea Station New York, NY 10113-0745 Tel: 212-966-6311 | Fax: 212-739-6139
Placements & Recruiters
Dakota State University Placement Details
Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota, United States placement details include salary insights, top recruiters, and hiring trends to help students understand career outcomes and campus opportunities.
Students usually compare highest package, average package, and recruiter profile before applying. This section gives a compact overview of career outcomes and placement visibility in Madison, South Dakota, United States.
Recruiters
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Salary Metrics
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Placement Metric
Average Package
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Shows the typical package range students may expect based on the available average salary data.
Placement information is currently limited.
More salary or recruiter data may be updated later for this college.
Rankings over the years
Year-wise highlights from global and country rankings available for this university.
2023
Highlights
2023
2023
- Computer Science: #34 in country
- Top source: US News
- 1 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Computer Science
- 1 ranking record in 2023
2025
Highlights
2025
2025
- Computer Science: #33 in country
- Top source: US News
- 1 ranked streams
- Focus areas: Computer Science
- 1 ranking record in 2025