Dakota State University

Madison, SD

Public midsize campus Town: Distant 2,071 undergrads

Affordability & debt

Average net price
$21,057per year, after aid
Undergraduates with a federal loan
34%
Undergraduates receiving a Pell grant
17%need-based, not repaid
Typical debt at graduation
$23,500federal loans, students who finished
Reducing their balance within 3 years
67%of borrowers who entered repayment

What that debt costs to repay. Typical debt here is about $23,500. At 7% over 10 years — the standard federal plan — that is roughly $273 a month, about $32,743 repaid in total, of which $9,243 is interest.

Stretch the same balance over 25 years and the payment drops to $166 a month — but the total climbs to $49,828, roughly $17,085 more in interest. A smaller payment is not a smaller loan.

An estimate, not financial advice: straight amortization at a fixed rate, ignoring fees, interest accrued while enrolled, and any forgiveness or income-driven plan. Figures on this page are averages and medians — what any one family borrows and pays varies widely. Try your own numbers.

Dakota State University’s net price calculator — every college is required to publish one. It is the only way to get a cost estimate based on your family’s own finances rather than an average.

Published tuition

In-state tuition
$9,654published rate
Out-of-state tuition
$12,756published rate

The sticker price before any aid. Most students pay less than this — the net price above is what aided students actually paid on average.

Admissions

Acceptance rate
88%
Average SAT
1,215of admitted students
Average ACT
23of admitted students

Context for the class as a whole, not a prediction about any one applicant.

Outcomes

Median earnings
$50,97010 years after entry

Median earnings of former students who received federal aid, measured 10 years after they started.

Campus life

Campus setting
Town: Distant
Residential character
Primarily residential — many students live on campus

Most common fields of study

  • Computer & information sciences58%
  • Education16%
  • Business & marketing9%
  • Liberal arts & humanities6%
  • Biological & biomedical sciences3%
  • Parks, recreation & fitness2%

Share of degrees awarded, by broad field.

Athletics

NAIA Division I

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Football
  • Softball
  • Track and Field
  • Volleyball

What borrowing would really cost

Starting from the typical debt at Dakota State University. Change any figure to see your own.

Federal undergraduate loans have recently been near 7%. Private loans are often higher.

Standard plan — 10 years

$273per month

Total repaid
$32,743
Interest paid
$9,243

Longer term — 25 years

$166per month

Total repaid
$49,828
Interest paid
$26,328

Borrow $23,500 and repay it over 25 years instead of 10, and you pay $17,085 more — $49,828 in all, about 2.1× what you borrowed. The monthly payment is smaller; the loan is not.

An estimate, not financial advice. Straight amortization at a fixed rate: it assumes every payment is made on time and the rate never changes, and it leaves out fees, interest that accrues while you’re still enrolled, and any forgiveness or income-driven plan. Planning4College is not a financial advisor and sells no loans. Check real terms with your school’s financial aid office and studentaid.gov.

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Data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Equity in Athletics survey. Figures reflect the most recent reporting year available and may be out of date or incomplete — confirm anything decision-critical with the college directly. Official site: Dakota State University.