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

PowerCyber℠ Lab

DSU’s PowerCyber Lab (PCL) reimagines the concept of a cyber range, delivering advanced, expansive capabilities that surpass traditional boundaries. Purposefully designed and built by faculty to meet the challenges of hands-on technical cybersecurity education, the PCL provides unmatched flexibility and functionality for both on-campus and online students. Since its inception in 2009, the PCL has continuously evolved, integrating innovative courses and cutting-edge technologies to address the dynamic needs of modern education and industry.

The PCL hosts thousands of custom-built labs and student-driven projects, designed by faculty to deliver tailored, experiential learning opportunities. These labs accommodate a broad sepctrum of operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and ARM computing environments, providing students with a comprehensive and adaptable platform. Additionally, the PCL offers extensive networking capabilities, allowing users to deploy network appliances and design real-world technical scenarios for coursework, experimentation, and research.

What truly distinguishes the PCL is its integration of advanced tools and technologies. High-end software-defined radios enable the creation of cellular base stations, while self-serve GPU resources support high-performance computing for artificial intelligence and machine learning workloads. These features prepare students to work with the most relevant, cutting-edge technologies, ensuring they are ready to address the challenges of tomorrow.

The PCL’s holistic learning environment provides students with end-to-end educational experiences. From user workstations to complex networks and mobile device applications, students gain a complete understanding of interconnected systems. This point-to-point visibility equips them with the skills and confidence needed to excel across the full spectrum of technologies they will encounter in the workforce. By offering such comprehensive training, the PCL positions DSU graduates as leaders in their fields, empowering them with a decisive advantage in today’s fast-evolving technological landscape.