Dakota State University
Dakota State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Dakota State University at a Glance
Dakota State University (DSU) is a public university in Madison, South Dakota, United States. The school was founded in 1881 as a normal school, or teacher training school. Education is still the university's heritage mission, but a signature mission of technology was added by the state legislature in 1984 to specialize in "programs in computer management, computer information systems, and other related undergraduate and graduate programs".
1881
145 years old
$16M
$16.2 million (2020)
3,842
3,085 undergrad · 757 grad
78 acres
Identity
Is Dakota State University Worth It?
At a value score of 30/100, Dakota State University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $50,970 — 5% below average — while paying $21,057/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 50% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Dakota State University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Dakota State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #62 of 88 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #4 | Northwest Florida State College | 88 | $4,571 | $39,664 |
| #5 | Bates Technical College | 86 | $6,292 | $50,051 |
| #6 | Renton Technical College | 76 | $8,296 | $49,782 |
| #62 | Dakota State University | 30 | $21,057 | $50,970 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Dakota State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Dakota State University
The highest-earning program at Dakota State University is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $53,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Computer Software and Media Applications at $26,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from Dakota State University earns $53,100, while a Computer Software and Media Applications graduate earns $26,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates carry $24,076 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Computer Software and Media Applications.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $21,057/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $53,100 | $53,100 | $24,076 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $49,100 | $49,100 | $26,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $38,500 | $38,500 | $24,624 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,200 | $38,200 | $22,750 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $36,100 | $36,100 | $22,250 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | $26,000 | $26,000 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in SD
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Madison, SD
- Student Body
- 2,071 students
- Admission Rate
- 88%
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $21,057
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $50,970
- Median Student Debt
- $23,500