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#4 Best Public Universities in South Dakota

Dakota State Admission Requirements

Madison, South Dakota

 7 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Dakota State University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

78.9%
Admission Difficulty for Dakota State University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Average 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Dakota State is 78.9%.  Its admission rate is the 7th lowest in South Dakota.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Dakota State and can you get accepted?

Dakota State University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 696 out of the 882 who applied were admitted.

Dakota State University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.33. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. Of those applicants who were admitted, 53% enrolled. This indicates that the school is a top choice for many students who apply.

Can you get into Dakota State?

79% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Dakota State University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.33 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1090 on the SAT
  • Score 23 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

Dakota State GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.33

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Dakota State University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Dakota State are to have around a 3.33 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.33 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Dakota State accepts 79% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Dakota State is 3.33 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #9 in South Dakota for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Dakota State is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.3 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Dakota State University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 9.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 21.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 17.0% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 15.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 12.0% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 15.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 10.0% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 1.0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Dakota State SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Dakota State University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 12% of students submitted SAT scores and 80% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

940-1240

Applicants Submitting SAT 

12%
SAT Scores for Dakota State University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 480
Math 25th Percentile 460
Composite 25th Percentile 940
SAT Scores for Dakota State University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 640
Math 75th Percentile 600
Composite 75th Percentile 1240
Average SAT Score 1090

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Dakota State University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Dakota State is 1090 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 940-1240. Students who get into Dakota State University score in the top 71 percent of all SAT test takers..  Dakota State ranks #6 in the state of South Dakota for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1090 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Dakota State regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 940 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 940, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 790, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Dakota State University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1090 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1090, you have around a 79% chance of being admitted. A 1240 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 88% chance of getting in.

Dakota State University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1240 and Above Good >88%
1090 to 1240 Avg + 79%-88%
940 to 1090 Avg - 66%-79%
790 to 940 Reach 51%-66%
Less than 790 Low <51%
Calculate My Chances 

Dakota State ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

19-27 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

80%
ACT Scores for Dakota State University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 17
Math 25th Percentile 18
Composite 25th Percentile 19
ACT Scores for Dakota State University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 26
Math 75th Percentile 27
Composite 75th Percentile 27
Average ACT Score 23

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Dakota State?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Dakota State is 23, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 19 and 27.  The school ranks #3 in South Dakota for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 23. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 19 and score in the score in the top 56 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 15.

Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 80 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Dakota State University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Dakota State University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Dakota State for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 23 score has around 79% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 88% with a 27 ACT score.

Dakota State University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
27 and Above Good >88%
23 to 27 Avg + 79%-88%
19 to 23 Avg - 66%-79%
15 to 19 Reach 51%-66%
Less than 15 Low <51%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

60% of Dakota State University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 30% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Dakota State University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 10.06%
Top 25% of class 29.57%
Top 50% of class 60%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Dakota State University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 263 603 882
Accepted 200 490 696
Acceptance Rate 76% 81% 79%
Enrolled 98 274 372
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 49% 56% 53%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Dakota State University is $20.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Dakota State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Dakota State University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Required to be considered for admission
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Dakota State University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Dakota State University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.33 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1090 and ACT of 23 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Dakota State University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=219082 IPEDS survey data for Dakota State University.

Last updated February 24, 2024