Fact Sheet
About DSU
History
- Founded as a teacher’s college in 1881
- Technology focus added in 1984
Enrollment numbers (2025)
- Total headcount – 3,842
- Total graduate student headcount – 757
- South Dakota resident students – 2,332
- Internet-only students – 2,462
- Dual credit (high school students only) – 458
Student body (2025)
- From 63 of 66 SD counties, 49 U.S. states, and 66 countries
- 448 student-athletes
- Average ACT score (all first-time undergrads) – 23.9
- Placement in a job or graduate school after graduation from DSU 99% (class of 2024)
- Residence hall occupancy – 95%
Enrollment by college (degree-seeking) (FY24)
- 51.3% enrolled in programs of study at The Beacom College of Computer & Cyber Sciences
- 18.7% in the College of Business & Information Systems
- 18.4% in the College of Education & Human Performance
- 11.5% in the College of Arts & Sciences
Financial Aid
- 71% of students receive financial aid with the average financial aid award at $10,549/year (FY24 data)
Majors
- 48 degrees in four colleges and grad programs, including 9 associate, 25
undergrad, 10 master’s, 4 doctoral - 39 certificates, from associate to doctoral levels
- Over half of undergraduate degrees and all graduate degrees are offered online
Employees
- 188 faculty, adjuncts, graduate assistants
- 258 professional staff
- 214 student employees
Budget
- $65.5 million operating budget for FY25
Research
- Over a dozen MadLabs® plus the Applied Research Lab, along with two institutes
- Educational Partnership Agreements with the NSA, National Cryptologic
University, and Army Cyber; MOU with Army Cyber Center of Excellence - Growing international research collaboration with AI Sweden and new agreement
with an Australian university - Continuing medical research through CyberHealth Strategic Alliance with Sanford
Health - Research expenses from sponsored grants & contracts $5.3M; total grants &
contract expenses $9.9 million (FY24)
Additional facts
- Student life includes 40+ special interest student clubs, professional organizations, and honor societies
- Athletics includes 13 official sports teams, including esports, as well as developmental
teams and intramural sports options. Member of the NAIA and NSAA - Summer education camps host hundreds of students of all ages at annual
summer outreach GenCyber camps for co-ed high school students and middle
school girls, camps in cyber espionage, career exploration, athletics, and camps for
teachers, high school students who are members of recognized tribes, and adult professionals - The DSU campus has 24 buildings on 78 acres
Data valid thru Summer 2025
Economic Impact
40.7%
First-generation college students
65.4%
Undergraduate students from South Dakota
$1.5 M
Given back to the community in donations and volunteer hours
$6.6 M
Research Expenditures
DSU Data - FY21
$137.4 M Statewide Economic Impact
Jobs
908
Local & Tax Impact
$5.7 M
$82.4 M Lake County Economic Impact
Jobs
545
Local & Tax Impact
$3.4 M
60% DSU alumni stay in South Dakota
These 7,800+ alumni:
- Create $19.2 billion in impact throughout the course of a 40-year career in South Dakota
- Support and sustain 127,844 jobs
- Generate $826.9 million in fiscal impact at the local and state levels