Madison, SD · Public

Dakota State University Cost, Tuition and Student Budget 2026

Dakota State University cost profile summarizes tuition, total annual cost, average net price, student debt, median earnings, graduation outcomes, and value signals for 2026 budget-focused university comparison.

Budget Snapshot Moderate value signal Value Score:
Total Cost$25,753
Net Price$21,057
Median Earnings$50,970
Graduation Rate51.3%
Median Debt$14,250
Admission Rate88.1%
Student Count2,071
SAT Average1,215

Dakota State University Student Budget Calculator 2026

Estimate how much money you may still need per year using this university's reported cost data plus your grants, family support, savings, work income, and student loans.

Estimated annual cost $21,057
Money available $0
Still needed per year $21,057
Monthly gap $1,755

Four-year projection: about $84,228 still needed over four years if the same gap repeats.

Loan projection: borrowing $0 per year equals about $0 over four years, compared with reported median debt of $14,250.

This calculator is an estimate. Actual aid, housing, residency status, program fees, family income, and borrowing limits can change the final budget.

University Cost and Earnings View

Money Profile

Median earnings$50,970Total cost$25,753Net price$21,057Median debt$14,250

Value Score Comparison

Dakota State University53.9Dataset avg54.3SD avg52.6
Median earnings9% weaker than dataset average
$50,970
Total annual cost40% better than dataset average
$25,753
Average net price2% better than dataset average
$21,057
Graduation rate5.5 percentage points weaker than dataset average
51.3%
Median debt12% better than dataset average
$14,250

How This University Cost Compares

Dataset Average

Value Score: 54.3

Net Price: $21,437

Earnings: $55,928

SD Average

Value Score: 52.6

Net Price: $20,997

Earnings: $52,499

Best Use of This Page

Compare this university against schools with similar location, type, net price, total cost, debt, and earnings. A high value score is useful, but graduation rate and debt should be read together with it.

Student Fit Signals

  • Affordability: Net price is $21,057, compared with reported total cost of $25,753.
  • Outcomes: Median earnings are $50,970 and the graduation rate is 51.3%.
  • Debt pressure: Median debt is $14,250, while the loan share is 34%.
  • Access profile: Admission rate is 88.1% and Pell Grant share is 16.8%.
Full University Cost Data Snapshot
School TypePublic
LocationMadison, SD
Admission Rate88.1%
In-State Tuition$9,654
Out-of-State Tuition$12,756
Total Cost$25,753
Net Price$21,057
Median Earnings$50,970
Graduation Rate51.3%
Median Debt$14,250
Pell Grant Share16.8%
Loan Share34%
Average Faculty Salary$9,954
Official WebsiteVisit website

Value Score Methodology

Value Score = earnings 20.4 + graduation 12.8 + net price 8.0 + total cost 6.8 + debt 5.9 = 53.9/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt.

Earnings20.4$50,970 · max 40 pts
Graduation12.851.3% · max 25 pts
Net Price8.0$21,057 · max 15 pts
Total Cost6.8$25,753 · max 10 pts
Debt5.9$14,250 · max 10 pts

The score is a comparison signal on a 0-100 scale. It is not a guarantee of future salary, admission outcome, financial aid, or final student cost.