Dakota State University

https://dsu.edu

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2024 Undergraduate Tuition

$7,616

2024 Average Net Price

$20,438

After Financial Aid

2024 Acceptance Rate

88%

2,418 Applicants

2024 Enrolled Students

3,774

45.5% Full-Time

2024 Graduation Rate

48.9%

183 Graduates

About

Dakota State University is a higher education institution located in Lake County, SD. In 2024, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Dakota State University were Computer & Information Systems Security (90 degrees awarded), General Computer & Information Sciences (64 degrees), and Elementary Education & Teaching (36 degrees).

In 2024, 685 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Dakota State University. 29.2% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 70.8% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (504 degrees), 14.4 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (35 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Dakota State University is $7,616, which is $−16,384 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs Masters Colleges and Universities

Costs

In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at Dakota State University is $7,616, which is $16,384 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $20,438.

In 2024, 44% of undergraduate students attending Dakota State University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 34% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$7,616

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at Dakota State University was $7,616. The cost of tuition at Dakota State University is $−16,384 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Dakota State University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$20,438

2024 Value

6.92%

1 Year Growth

In 2024 Dakota State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $20,438. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of Dakota State University grew by 6.92%.

This chart compares the average net price of Dakota State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$9,383

Room and Board

$1,200

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Dakota State University was of $9,383 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 18.4% between 2023 and 2024.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,200. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Dakota State University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

44%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

34%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

44% of undergraduate students at Dakota State University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a growth of 0% with respect to 2023, when 44% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Dakota State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Admissions

Dakota State University received 2,418 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 145% annual growth. Out of those 2,418 applicants, 2,129 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 88% acceptance rate.

There were 3,774 students enrolled at Dakota State University in 2024. 16% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Dakota State University has an overall enrollment yield of 18%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

88%

Acceptance Rate in 2024

2,129

Accepted Out of 2,418

In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Dakota State University was 88% (2,129 admissions from 2,418 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 97.9%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants grew by 145%, while admissions grew by 120%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Dakota State University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

16%

Submission Percentage (2024)

Scores Submitted (2024)

16% of enrolled first-time students at Dakota State University in 2024 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Dakota State University had a total enrollment of 3,774 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at Dakota State University is 1,718 students and the part-time enrollment is 2,056. This means that 45.5% of students enrolled at Dakota State University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Dakota State University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 73.4% White, 4.43% Black or African American, 4.29% Hispanic or Latino, 2.97% Asian, 2.7% Two or More Races, 1.64% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.159% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Dakota State University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Male (49.2%), followed by White Female (26.2%) and Hispanic or Latino Male (3.21%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Male (35.7%), followed by Black or African American Male (7.69%) and White Female (7.24%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

45.5%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Dakota State University in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 3,774 students. The full-time enrollment at Dakota State University is 1,718 and the part-time enrollment is 2,056. This means that 45.5% of students enrolled at Dakota State University are enrolled full-time compared with 67.1% at similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Dakota State University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

75%

2024 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Dakota State University was 75%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (73%), Dakota State University had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Dakota State University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
2,772 enrolled students
Black or African American
167 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
162 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Dakota State University is 73.4% White, 4.43% Black or African American, 4.29% Hispanic or Latino, 2.97% Asian, 2.7% Two or More Races, 1.64% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.159% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Masters Colleges and Universities is 47.4% White, 18.8% Hispanic or Latino, and 13.6% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 112 students (2.97%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2024, 285 fewer women than men received degrees from Dakota State University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Dakota State University is white (504 degrees awarded). There were 14.4 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (35 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Dakota State University is Computer & Information Systems Security (90 degrees awarded), followed by General Computer & Information Sciences (64 degrees) and Elementary Education & Teaching (36 degrees).

In 2024, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Dakota State University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Applied Sciences (11 degrees awarded), Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (495 degrees), and Math & Statistics (15 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Elementary & middle school teachers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Dakota State University are Elementary & middle school teachers (1,598,516 people), Software developers (706,915 people), Secondary school teachers (596,653 people), Education administrators (303,684 people), and Other managers (292,736 people).

The most specialized majors at Dakota State University in 2024 are Applied Sciences (11 degrees awarded), Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (495 degrees), Math & Statistics (15 degrees), Education (61 degrees), and Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (10 degrees) (as of 2024).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Dakota State University are Surgeons, Magnetic resonance imaging technologists, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents, and Physicians

The most specialized majors at Dakota State University are Applied Sciences (11 degrees awarded), Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (495 degrees), Math & Statistics (15 degrees), Education (61 degrees), and Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (10 degrees) (as of 2024).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Dakota State University are Elementary & secondary schools (3,039,542 people), Computer Systems Design (784,895 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (512,767 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (277,778 people), and Management, scientific & technical consulting services (169,930 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Dakota State University.

Medical Insurance Coding Specialist

Most Common (2024)

2 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common 1 to 2 year postsecondary certificate concentration at Dakota State University was Medical Insurance Coding Specialist with 2 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from 1 to 2 year postsecondary certificate programs at Dakota State University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

485

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2024

200

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2024

In 2024, 485 degrees were awarded to men at Dakota State University, which is 2.42 times more than the number of degrees awarded to females (200).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Dakota State University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2024, 124 degrees were awarded to men at Dakota State University in Computer & Information Systems Security, which is 4.43 times more than the 28 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2024, 29 degrees were awarded to men at Dakota State University in General Computer & Information Sciences, which is 0.293 times less than the 99 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

30%

100% Completion Time

46%

150% Completion Time

In 2024, 30% of students graduating from Dakota State University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 46% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 49% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Masters Colleges and Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
504 degrees awarded
Asian
35 degrees awarded
Two or More Races
27 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Dakota State University is white (504 degrees awarded). There were 14.4 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (35 degrees).

1.02% of degree recipients (7 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)

White Male
348 degrees awarded
White Male
341 degrees awarded
White Male
327 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Dakota State University is white male (348 degrees awarded). There were 1.02 times more white male recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (341 degrees).

Operations

Dakota State University has an endowment valued at nearly $20.8M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 298k (1.43%) compared to the 9.2% average return (4.22M on 45.9M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities.

In 2024, Dakota State University had a total salary expenditure of 66.4M. Dakota State University employs 36 Assistant professors, 32 Associate professors and 23 Instructors. Most academics at Dakota State University are Male Assistant professor (27), Male Associate professor (24), and Male Professor (14).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Dakota State University are: Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, with 53 employees, Management, with 49 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 46 employees.

Endowment

$20.8M

2024 Endowment

13.9%

growth from 2023

Dakota State University has an endowment valued at about $20.8M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of Dakota State University grew 13.9% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $25M lower than than the median endowment of Masters Colleges and Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Dakota State University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs Carnegie Classification grouping.

Salary Expenditure

$31M

2024 Salaries

15.1%

growth from 2023

In 2024, Dakota State University paid a median of $31M in salaries, which represents 46.6% of their overall expenditure ($66.4M) and a 15.1% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 6.2% growth between 2022 and 2023, and a 4.89% growth between 2021 and 2022.

Instructional Salaries

$9.95M

Instructional Salaries

111

Number of Employees

In 2024, Dakota State University paid a total of $9.95M to 111 employees working as instructors, which represents 32.2% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $965k (3.13%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Occupations by Share

In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Dakota State University were Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 53 employees, Management with 49 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 46 employees.

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