Dakota State University

Dakota State University is a mid-size public master's university (medium program) located in Madison, South Dakota, with an undergraduate enrollment of 2,071. The institution offers master's-level programs across multiple professional and academic fields alongside its undergraduate curriculum, serving students seeking advanced credentials in applied disciplines. As a public institution primarily funded through state appropriations and federal grants, it operates within the broader South Dakota postsecondary education landscape and is regionally accredited, making its credits and degrees eligible for federal financial aid. With a 88% acceptance rate, admission is open to most applicants. The 88% acceptance rate reflects a broadly open admissions approach serving a wide range of students. Net price for families earning \$48,001–$75,000 averages $19,165 per year. The highest program-level earnings outcomes are in CIP 00 — 10-year median earnings among aid recipients in these fields reach $48,997. The 4-year graduation rate is 50%, 5 percentage points above the national average of 45%. Among students who received federal financial aid, 10-year median earnings are $50,970. FIRE rates the campus free speech climate at 58/100 — a mixed record on speech protections.