At $19,725/yr net price, Dakota State University graduates earn $50,970/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $16,970/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $19,725 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $78,900 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $50,970/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$16,970/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 49.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,948/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,778/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,432/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,975/yr |
| $110,001+ | $21,121/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Master | $84,653 | |
| Information Science/Studies. | Master | $76,460 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $55,964 | $20,059 |
| Information Science/Studies. | Bachelor | $55,964 | $19,343 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Bachelor | $51,035 | $24,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor | $46,087 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $42,682 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Bachelor | $41,205 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $39,369 | $20,508 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $39,153 | $23,500 |
The Risk Factor
49.3% of students at Dakota State University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Dakota State University's financial picture is solid if you pick the right major, shaky if you don't. This is a computing school, and the earnings data proves it. Its two top programs both land graduates around $56,000 a year, well above the school-wide median of $50,970. If you enroll here for anything outside tech, you are choosing the weaker side of the ledger.
Computer and Information Sciences pays the best and carries the lowest debt of the top programs, around $20,000. Information Science graduates earn the same and borrow even less. That combination of high pay and low debt is the clearest financial win on this campus. Teacher education, by contrast, pays about $42,700, roughly $13,000 a year less than computing while costing you the same tuition. Allied health sits in the middle. The gap between DSU's best and worst-paying tracks is large enough that your choice of major matters more than your choice of school.
The main risk here is completion. Fewer than half of students finish, and one in four freshmen don't return for year two. You pay net price whether you graduate or not, so leaving with debt and no degree is a real outcome to weigh. Median debt of $23,500 is manageable on a $56,000 computing salary but heavier on a teacher's income.
Net price barely moves across income brackets. Families under $30,000 pay about $15,900, while families earning over $110,000 pay roughly $21,100. That flat structure means lower-income families get only modest relief, and everyone shoulders a similar cost regardless of income.
DSU is a good financial fit if you are set on computing or IT and confident you'll finish. If you want to teach or you're unsure of your major, the return gets thin, and you should compare it against cheaper in-state options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dakota State University worth the cost?
Dakota State University offers strong ROI for computer and information technology programs, with graduates earning $51,000-$84,000 annually. However, the 49% graduation rate means many students don't finish, and the $23,500 median debt load is reasonable but only worthwhile if you complete your degree.
What programs at Dakota State University have the best job prospects?
Computer and Information Technology Administration graduates earn the highest salaries at $84,653, while Information Science majors average $76,460. General computer science programs pay less at around $56,000, so picking your specific tech focus matters for earnings potential.
How much debt do Dakota State University students typically graduate with?
Dakota State graduates carry $23,500 in median debt, which is manageable for tech majors earning $50,000+ but could be problematic for lower-paying fields. With nearly half of students not graduating, debt without a degree is a real risk.
Are Dakota State University graduates earning enough to justify the tuition?
Tech program graduates typically earn enough to justify the $19,725 annual cost, but the 49% graduation rate is concerning. Students who don't finish often struggle with debt and limited career prospects compared to those who complete their degrees.