Dakota State Admission Requirements
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- 4 Year
- Madison, SD
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Dakota State Admission Overview
Dakota State admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year Dakota State admitted 88% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.33 GPA (B+) and SAT 1190-1440 / ACT 20-27. Dakota State is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Dakota State is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Dakota State Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for Dakota State University
Acceptance Rate
The Dakota State acceptance rate is 88%. Last year, 2,129 of 2,418 applicants were admitted. That is the 7th lowest acceptance rate in South Dakota.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Dakota State and can you get accepted?
Dakota State is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.
Dakota State University typically 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. 18% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Dakota State GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.33Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
B+Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.33
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Dakota State typically have around a 3.33 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. Dakota State is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
The school ranks #9 in South Dakota for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.3 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Dakota State SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1190-1440Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
16%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 570
- Math 620
- Composite 1190
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 680
- Math 760
- Composite 1440
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Dakota State typically score around a 1320 SAT (middle 50% 1190–1440) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 90th percentile nationally. Dakota State ranks #1 in the state of South Dakota and #182 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1190 to 1440
SAT policy
Dakota State is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1320 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Dakota State ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
20-27Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
67%25th Percentile Scores
- English 18
- Math 19
- Composite 20
75th Percentile Scores
- English 25
- Math 27
- Composite 27
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Dakota State typically have around a 23 ACT (mid-50 20–27) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 68th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Dakota State places #3 among colleges in South Dakota for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 20 to 27
ACT policy
You may apply to Dakota State without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 23.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
60% of Dakota State University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 30% are in the top quarter.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the Dakota State chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Dakota State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Dakota State University is $20.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Dakota State is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 88% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.33 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1190-1440); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Dakota State University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=219082.
GPA calculator: Dakota State University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026