by our College Data Analytics TeamIs Dakota State worth the money? College Factual’s value analysis weighs the quality of education against the cost. Here is the verdict.
Dakota State is ranked #1,791 out of 3,211 schools for value nationwide, earning a value grade of A (top 15% for value). Within South Dakota, it ranks #13 of 18 for value.
Among the majors Dakota State offers, these rank best for value nationally.
| Major | National Value Rank |
|---|---|
| Other Computer Software & Media Applications | #5 of 21 |
| Computer Science / Programming | #5 of 21 |
| System, Networking LAN/WAN Management/Manager | #10 of 13 |
| Bachelor's Degree | #10 of 13 |
| Computer Graphics | #12 of 25 |
| Other Special Education & Teaching | #26 of 36 |
| Special Education | #26 of 36 |
| Computer Software & Applications | #30 of 69 |
| Artificial Intelligence | #37 of 64 |
| General Information Science | #88 of 124 |
Below is the detailed Dakota State value breakdown: state and national value rankings, the real cost of a degree, and how the price stacks up against the aid most students receive.
Dakota State University is ranked #8 out of #19 in South Dakota for quality and #13 out of #18 for South Dakota value.
Do you qualify for in-state tuition? Check the Dakota State financial aid page to be sure.
Dakota State University is ranked #1,791 out of 3,211 for value nationwide.
Compared to its peers, Dakota State University is underpriced for the quality of education it provides, earning it a great value recognition.
Averaged across all students — those who receive aid and those who pay full price — a year at Dakota State costs about $22,649. Over a standard four-year bachelor's program, that adds up to an estimated $90,597 for the degree.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Sticker Price (before aid) | $25,740 / year |
| Net Price (students receiving aid) | $21,057 / year |
| Average Cost (all students) | $22,649 / year |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $90,597 |
*The average cost weights the net price paid by aid recipients against the sticker price paid by everyone else. The 4-year figure assumes the standard bachelor's length; your actual time to graduate and price may differ.
Your price depends heavily on your family income and the aid you qualify for. See the Dakota State net price page for a fuller breakdown of what you might actually pay.
What Dakota State costs you depends on how much aid you receive, so few students fit perfectly into averages.
Here is how the estimated 4-year cost of a Dakota State degree breaks down by aid group, against its national value ranking.
| Nationwide Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $102,960 | — | — |
| All Students | $90,597 | #1,791 | A |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $84,228 | — | — |
| In-State Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $102,960 | — | — |
| All Students | $90,597 | #13 | A- |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $84,228 | — | — |
*College Factual publishes a single overall value ranking (the All Students row). The cost rows show what each aid group pays toward the same degree.
You can also see how the average net price at Dakota State shifts with family income:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price / Year |
|---|---|
| $0–$30K | $15,948 |
| $30K–$48K | $16,778 |
| $48K–$75K | $20,432 |
| $75K–$110K | $21,975 |
| Over $110K | $21,121 |
About 66% of Dakota State undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, averaging $6,250 per year. Get more details on the Dakota State financial aid you may qualify for.
College Factual determines value by weighing a school’s average total cost against its educational quality, then comparing it to other schools in the same quality tier. See the Dakota State net price page for the cost detail.
Read the full Best for the Money Ranking Methodology.