Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Madison, South Dakota
97.9% Acceptance Rate
Dakota State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
97.9%Acceptance Rate
3.33Avg GPA
1129Avg SAT
23Avg ACT
$24,447Annual Cost
$50,970Grad Salary
16%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
97.9%
Avg GPA
3.33
Avg SAT
1129
Avg ACT
23
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1020–1340
ACT Middle 50%
20–26
Avg Net Price
$19,725
Need-Based Aid
16% receive Pell
Dakota State University is a public institution in South Dakota that specializes in technology, computer science, and professional programs. Admissions focus on academic performance and readiness for a curriculum that integrates technical training with a strong professional foundation. The university seeks motivated students who are eager to participate in its innovative, collaborative campus life, where faculty-student relationships and hands-on learning are key.
Prospective students should highlight their academic achievements and their interest in technology-driven fields. Demonstrating a proactive approach to learning?and articulating how one intends to leverage the university's unique technical resources for future career success?will help an applicant stand out. The admissions committee values students who are proactive, focused, and ready to take full advantage of the university's diverse, supportive, and technology-forward environment to achieve their long-term goals.
Dakota State University Acceptance Rate
Dakota State University (Dakota State) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 97.9% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 97.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.33 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.13 – 3.32
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.88
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Dakota State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Dakota State University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Dakota State reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (Priority: 2026/02/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Dakota State GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Dakota State is 3.33. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.03–3.33 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.53–3.73.Dakota State GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.33 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.13 – 3.32
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.93 – 3.12
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.92
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- DSU is one of only nine U.S. institutions holding all three NSA Center of Academic Excellence designations, and is home to the Madison Cyber Labs (MadLabs) research facility.
- General undergraduate admission requires meeting both an academic-record benchmark (2.6 GPA or top 60% class rank) and a test-score benchmark (ACT 18+ or SAT 950+ combined); the $25 application fee is waived for continuing SD Board of Regents students.
- DSU cannot enroll or provide services to applicants from countries under U.S. Treasury OFAC sanctions.
- CyberCorps and DoD Cyber Service Academy (CySP) scholarships require separate applications, U.S. citizenship, a 3.2+ GPA, and a post-graduation federal service commitment - they are not automatic extensions of general admission.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Dakota State
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Dakota State University's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Dakota State University (Dakota State) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Dakota State is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Dakota State Without SAT or ACT?
Dakota State considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Dakota State University Average SAT Score: 1129
The average SAT score of admitted students at Dakota State University is 1129 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1129 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1340 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Dakota State University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1020, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Dakota State. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 605 | 530 | 680 |
| SAT Reading | 575 | 490 | 660 |
| SAT Composite | 1129 | 1020 | 1340 |
Below 1020, you're behind most admitted students; at 1340 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into Dakota State University (Dakota State) with a 1350 SAT?
A 1350 SAT puts you ahead of most of Dakota State's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Dakota State University (Dakota State) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Dakota State is 23.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 23 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 23 | 18 | 27 |
| ACT English | 21 | 18 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 20 | 26 |
Can I get into Dakota State University with a 26 ACT?
A 26 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Dakota State's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Dakota State.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Dakota State
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into Dakota State is the easy part. What matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Track the DoD Scholarship Deadline Separately From Your DSU Application
DSU's CyberCorps and DoD Cyber Service Academy (CySP) scholarships can cover full tuition plus a stipend worth up to $45,000/year (over $200,000 across a program), but they run on the Department of Defense's own annual deadline (historically around February 1) - completely separate from DSU's rolling admissions calendar. Apply to DSU early enough that you're already enrolled and eligible when the DoD window opens, rather than assuming the scholarship follows your college application timeline.
If You're Already in the SD Board of Regents System, Skip the Redundant Paperwork
Students transferring directly from another South Dakota Board of Regents school (USD, SDSU, Northern State, SD Mines, Black Hills State) only need to submit an application and fee to DSU - your transcripts and test scores already on file elsewhere in the system carry over. Don't waste time re-requesting documents you don't need; confirm your BOR-system status with admissions before assembling a transfer packet built for outside transfers.
Meet Both the Academic-Record and Test-Score Bar, Not Just One
DSU's own published standard requires satisfying a benchmark from each of two categories: an academic-record measure (2.6 GPA or top 60% high school class rank) and a test-score measure (ACT 18+ or combined Math+EBRW SAT of 950+). If you're planning to skip testing because DSU is broadly accessible, confirm with admissions that your GPA or rank alone clears both categories for your specific situation - don't assume one strong number offsets a weak one in the other category.
Name MadLabs and DSU's Triple NSA Designation in Program-Specific Materials
DSU is one of only nine institutions nationwide holding all three NSA Center of Academic Excellence designations (Cyber Defense, Cyber Defense Research, and Cyber Operations), anchored by the Madison Cyber Labs (MadLabs) research facility. If you're applying to Cyber Operations, Computer Science, or Network & Security Administration, referencing specific MadLabs research areas or faculty in scholarship essays and interviews signals you've researched the program's actual differentiator rather than its general "tech school" reputation.
Expert Insight:
Students frequently assume that general admission to DSU (a relatively accessible 2.6 GPA / ACT 18 standard) also qualifies them for the elite cybersecurity scholarships the school is known for. CyberCorps and DoD CySP require U.S. citizenship at the time of application, a substantially higher GPA (3.2+), completed credit minimums, and a binding post-graduation federal service commitment - none of which is part of general DSU admission, and missing the citizenship requirement isn't something you can fix after applying.
Dakota State Profile
Full Name
Dakota State University (Dakota State)
City
Madison
State
South Dakota
ZIP Code
57042-1799
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Dakota State Degree Worth It?
Dakota State offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $52,100, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.34%.
How much does a degree from Dakota State Cost?
The sticker price is $24,447/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $19,725.
16% of students receive a Pell Grant and 36.3% take federal loans at Dakota State. File your FAFSA early and list Dakota State as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Dakota State Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $50,970. That's about 26% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Dakota State University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Dakota State University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 1119 | 24 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Dakota State University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Dakota State
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Dakota State Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Dakota State University run about $50,970 a year.
At about $24,447 a year, Dakota State University is on the more affordable end.
Dakota State University's Pell Grant rate of 16.0% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 97.9%, Dakota State University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Dakota State University average a 3.33 GPA.
Dakota State University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.03 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.93, Dakota State University becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Dakota State University — aim above 1129, ideally within the 1020–1340 range admitted students typically fall in.
Dakota State University follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The application fee is 20. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Priority: 2026/02/01. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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