Dakota State University

Non-profit public

Public

Private

Regional

Located in Madison, Dakota State University opened in 1881 to provide teacher training. Today, the public school enrolls nearly 3,400 students. Access to DSU's online programs may not be available to students in all states. DSU offers six associate degrees, 14 bachelor's degrees, seven master's degrees, and three doctorates online to South Dakota residents, as well as a variety of undergraduate and graduate certificates. Undergraduate online programs include accounting, computer science, elementary education, and health information administration. DSU does require proctored exams for online classes. Military students may qualify for discounted tuition. Transfer students with at least 24 credits and a minimum 2.0 GPA may apply. Students with fewer than 24 credits must meet DSU's first-year application requirements.

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Admissions Breakdown

Acceptance Rate Insight

91% of students were accepted during the 2020-2021 school year. Sometimes schools with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but are still accessible to many students who apply.

Retention Rate Insight

81% of full-time students stayed to continue their studies the following academic year. These students started in Fall 2019 and returned in Fall 2020.

Graduation Rate Insight

60% of students graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their studies in Fall 2014. Keep in mind many students who enroll are not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners. Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.

Application Considerations

Test scores:	Considered (not required)	High school transcript:	Required
High school rank:	Considered (not required)	Letter of recommendation:	Considered (not required)
High school GPA:	Considered (not required)	Open admission:	No
Completion of college prep program:	Required	Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL):

Transfer Credit Policy

Dual enrollment: Yes

Advance placement (AP) credits: Yes

Credit for qualified life experience*:

ⓘ *This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials, or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a portfolio to earn credit.

Learning Environment

Students enrolledOnline student enrollmentStudent to faculty ratio

63%

Online student enrollmentStudent to faculty ratio

15:1

Student to faculty ratio

Degrees Awarded by Program

Degrees given for the 2020-2021 academic year.

#	Programs	BA	MA	Doc
1	Area, Ethnic, Cultural, And Gender Studies	✔	✕	✕
2	Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, And Group Studies	✔	✕	✕
3	Biological And Biomedical Sciences	✔	✔	✔
4	Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services	✔	✔	✕
5	Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs	✔	✔	✕
6	Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services	✔	✔	✕
7	Education	✔	✔	✔
8	Engineering	✕	✔	✔
9	English Language And Literature/Letters	✔	✔	✔
10	Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics	✔	✕	✕
11	Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences	✔	✔	✔
12	Health Professions And Related Programs	✔	✔	✔
13	History	✔	✔	✕
14	History	✔	✔	✕
15	Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting And Related Protective Services	✔	✕	✕
16	Legal Professions And Studies	✕	✕	✔
17	Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities	✔	✔	✕
18	Mathematics And Statistics	✔	✔	✔
19	Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies	✔	✔	✕
20	Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, And Kinesiology	✔	✔	✕
21	Philosophy And Religious Studies	✔	✕	✕
22	Physical Sciences	✔	✔	✔
23	Psychology	✔	✔	✔
24	Public Administration And Social Service Professions	✕	✔	✕
25	Security And Protective Services	✔	✕	✕
26	Social Sciences	✔	✔	✔
27	Visual And Performing Arts	✔	✔	✕