Dakota State University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Dakota State University charges a net price of $21,057/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $84,228. Graduates earn a median $50,970 ten years after entry, $2,610/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 32.3 years — a 20-year net return of -$32,028, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Dakota State University's 32.3-year payback ranks #1,139 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 11% of them, and #8 of 17 in South Dakota.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $21,057/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $84,228 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $50,970 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $2,610/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $23,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 32.3 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$32,028 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Dakota State University's own numbers. Net price $21,057 × 4 years = $84,228 total. Median earnings $50,970 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $2,610 a year of premium. $84,228 ÷ $2,610 = 32.3 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$32,028. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Dakota State University students graduate with?
A median $23,500 in federal loans among completers, or 46% of the $50,970 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Dakota State University students graduate?
51% finish their degree — 49% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $84,228 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $165,153 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Dakota State University expensive compared with other South Dakota colleges?
Its $21,057 net price runs $1,322 above the $19,735 median across the 17 South Dakota colleges we profile, or $5,288 more across the full degree.