Dakota State University

Last Updated By • March 28, 2023

dakota-state-university

DSU’s Data Science, Data Analytics, and Business Analytics Degrees Available

Dakota State University appears in our ranking of the 15 Most Affordable Master’s in Data Science Online.

Dakota State University offers an undergraduate certificate program in Technology Database Management System, a Master of Science degree in analytics, and a graduate certificate program in business analytics.

The Technology Database Management System certificate program requires the completion of 12 credit hours. The courses include computer science, structured systems analysis and design, and database management.

The Master of Science in Analytics prepares students to solve essential data-driven business issues and help with analytics-driven decision making that is needed in today’s marketplace. The program requires the completion of 30 credit hours, including core courses, track/elective courses, and knowledge courses. Students have the ability to choose from three tracks: general, healthcare analytics, and information systems. The core courses include modern applied statistics, statistical programming, big data analytics, programming for data analytics, data warehousing, and data mining, advanced data mining applications, and predictive analytics for decision making.

The business analytics graduate certificate involves students using raw data to make smart decisions. Students use business methods and current technologies to solve real-world issues. The program requires the completion of 12 credit hours. The cores include data warehousing and data mining, advanced data mining applications, predictive analytics for decision making, and advanced database or information retrieval.

Students who complete the data and business analytics programs at Dakota State University are prepared to meet the needs of both the private and government sectors of the field.

About Dakota State University

Dakota State University, commonly called DSU, is a public non-profit institution of higher learning located in Madison, South Dakota. Its mission is to provide high-quality education that incorporates technology and innovation to prepare students for success in a dynamic world. Its values include student success, excellence throughout the university, academic integrity and freedom, distinction in instruction and service, constant improvement, diversity, respect, and inclusion, community, communication and collaboration, and technology and innovation.

DSU specializes in computer information systems, computer management, and various related undergraduate and graduate programs. It offers more than 35 degree programs through its College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business and Information Systems, College of Education, and Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences. Dakota State University strives to keep class sizes small and its student to faculty ratio is 17 to one.

Dakota State University was established in 1881 as Madison Normal School, a school for educating teachers in the Dakota Territory. When South Dakota officially became a state in 1889, the school changed its name to Eastern State Normal School. Throughout its history, the school changed its name to Dakota Normal School, Dakota State Normal School, and General Beadle State College. It became Dakota State College in 1969, as it was renamed by the South Dakota Legislature. It officially became Dakota State University in 1989 to reflect its growth, purpose, and addition of graduate degree programs.

Today, DSU prides itself as one of the Midwest’s most technologically-advanced universities. It also stays true to its historical roots by placing special focus on preparing teachers for the incorporation of computer technology in the courses. It is home to about 3,145 students.

Dakota State University strives to become an institution of choice for those seeking a student-centered university with dynamic programs that are established in teaching, technology, research, and service. The U.S. News and World Report ranks Dakota State University number 34 in its Top Public Schools publication and number 118 in its Regional Universities Midwest publication.

Dakota State University Accreditation Details

The Higher Learning Commission regionally accredits Dakota State University to grant certificate, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and doctoral degree programs. The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs accredits both the undergraduate and graduate business programs at DSU.

Dakota State University Application Requirements

Undergraduate

  • Complete and submit Undergraduate Application
  • Pay the $20 nonrefundable application fee
  • Submit official high school transcript or GED with a combined score of at least 2250 with a minimum of 410 on each test
  • Submit official transcripts from previously enrolled institutions of higher learning
  • Submit official standardized tests scores, such as the ACT (with at least a composite score of 18) or SAT (with a minimum score of 870)
  • Submit AP scores or CLEP scores

Graduate

  • Complete and submit the Graduate Application
  • Pay the $35 nonrefundable application fee
  • Submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities
  • Submit official documentation of a completed bachelor’s degree from a fully accredited institution of higher learning
  • Submit satisfactory scores from the GRE, GMAT, or related standardized test
  • Submit additional requirements specified by certain programs

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition

Undergraduate

  • South Dakota and Iowa residents: $278.70 per credit hour or about $4,180.50 per semester
  • Minnesota residents: $285.80 per credit hour or about $4,287 per semester
  • Non-residents: $376.35 per credit hour or about $5,645.25 per semester
  • Online undergraduate: $335 per credit hour
  • Online non-resident computer science: $460.60 per credit hour

Graduate

  • South Dakota residents: $353.70 per credit hour
  • Minnesota residents: $475.30 per credit hour
  • Non-residents: $626.50 per credit hour
  • Online courses: $444.25 per credit hour

Financial Aid

Dakota State University is committed to providing a private school education at a public school cost. It strives to make higher education affordable for all students and about 74 percent of students receive some type of financial aid. Scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs are available.

Scholarships

  • DSU Presidential Champion Scholarship
  • DSU Merit Champion Scholarship
  • DSU Achievement Champion Scholarship
  • Center of Excellence Annual Scholarship
  • Transfer Champion Scholarship
  • Cyber Corps Scholarships
  • South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship
  • Dakota Corps Scholarship
  • South Dakota Board of Regents Administered Scholarships

Grants

  • Federal Pell Grant
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
  • Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant

Loans

  • Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
  • Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
  • Federal Direct PLUS Loan
  • Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
  • Federal Perkins Loan
  • Private Loans

Federal Work-Study Program

The Federal Work-Study program is a federally funded employment program available to students who demonstrate significant financial need. Students are able to work on a part-time basis at a specified hourly rate to earn money to pay for college-related costs. The pay rate is determined by the position and skills of the student. Positions are available in all departments at DSU and emphasis is given to community service jobs. Students are required to interview to secure their positions. Pay is typically every two weeks.

For more information about Data Analytics at Dakota State University, click here.

Related Resources:
Scroll to Top