Dakota State University students walking around campus

Preparation + opportunity = success

That's the DSU equation. We're a four-year university with nationally recognized programs, cutting-edge facilities, and the brightest thinkers. But we're also a tight-knit, inclusive community. Small class sizes mean hands-on training and individualized attention. All this with an affordable, public school price that's among the best values in the region.

Majors & Degrees

About DSU

statue on campus
Faculty working in the research lab

Uniting on an upward pace

In 1881, Dakota State University was founded as a school for teacher education, in the Dakota Territory. Though we have since shifted our primary focus of education to the cyber world, Dakota State remains one of the few universities in the nation, who provides students with the technology needed to excel in any career.

Dakota State University is located in the ancestral territory of the Oceti Sakowin, an alliance made up of the Isanti, Ihanktunwan, and Titunwan. Today, these peoples are represented by the nine federally recognized tribes of South Dakota: The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, Oglala Sioux Tribe, Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and the Yankton Sioux Tribe.

As a united front, our Trojans remain on an upward trajectory into the future. We’re growing at a fast pace, expanding our campus, and immersing ourselves in the most advanced and innovative technologies. We want you to rise with us.

Students displaying research projects.

Research and economic development

Research at Dakota State is rising. Over the last several years, DSU researchers have expanded their initiatives from peer-reviewed publications and high-profile conference presentations, to include new infrastructure, internationally relevant accolades for their work, and an ever-growing community of partners. Dakota State University researchers garner funding from federal, state, and local agencies, as well as some international sources.

Research @ DSU

Picture of DSU campus with students walking on paths.

Rankings

Ranked among The Best Online Colleges in South Dakota for 2020 by TheBestSchools.org - Dakota State University offers a variety of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs through four colleges.

Our online programs are named one of the best values based on OnlineSchoolscenter.com, and the most affordable by CollegeValuesOnline.com. There are plenty of programs at DSU Online such as Accounting, Business Management, Computer Science, Cyber Operations, Elementary Education, Health Informatics, Information Systems, Marketing, Network and Security Administration, and more.

Dakota State has also earned the 2020-2021 Military Friendly® School designation by means of affordable tuition, quality degrees, and unique partnerships that help military members succeed.

Professor in class teaching students.

Accreditations

Our accreditations demonstrate the quality of programs across our campus. Accreditations impact Dakota State in a variety of ways, including student eligibility for federal assistance or loans, enabling graduates to sit for certification exams, and assuring all our constituencies that DSU meets or exceeds quality standards.

  • Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
  • South Dakota Department of Education
  • Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
  • Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)

DSU Accreditations

93%

Residence hall occupancy

$59.7

Million dollar operating budget

99.7%

Placement rate for our graduating class

3,241

Total student headcount

1,772

Total headcount of internet-only students

24

Buildings on almost 62 acres

Where everyone’s welcome


News

Digital Personality Winners

Competition results will benefit DSU, corporate partner

Competition results will benefit DSU, corporate partner. Multi-disciplinary teams partner with Sterling Computers. Richard Sanchez is great about answering questions about Dakota State University.

National Science Foundation grant program

NSF funds South Dakota STEM education pathways

Dakota State University has joined 10 other state agencies in an effort to create pathways for young learners to become interested in STEM fields. This work will be funded through a National Science Foundation grant program aimed at enhancing the state's research and development competitiveness and promote scientific progress nationwide.

DSU and Concordia

DSU and Concordia blend strengths through a new partnership

Dakota State University and Concordia College (Minn.) are unique institutions of higher learning, but by blending their strengths, they will be able to provide new opportunities for their students’ successful careers.

More news

“The United States' status as a global power comes from serving as a magnet for the world's brightest minds.”

President José-Marie Griffiths, PhD