After Dakota State University: graduation, pay and debt
Madison, South Dakota · Public · 2,071 undergrads
49% of Dakota State University students finish within six years, the typical student earns $53,378 ten years after starting and graduates leave with $21,730 in federal loans at the median.
The short answers
$53.4k
median pay 10 years after starting college.
49%
finish within six years.
35%
finish in four years.
76%
of first-years come back for year two.
$21.7k
median federal debt at graduation.
67%
of borrowers were paying down their loans three years after leaving.
All the federal numbers
Finishing
Finished in four yearsIPEDS, fall 2023
35%
Finished within six yearsIPEDS, fall 2023
49%
First-years who came back for year twoCollege Scorecard, fall 2024
76%
Men who finished within six yearsIPEDS, students who started in 2017
51%
Women who finished within six yearsIPEDS, students who started in 2017
46%
Students in that six-year groupIPEDS, students who started in 2017
359
Earned a degree or certificate here within eight yearsIPEDS, full-time students who started in 2015
47%
Still enrolled here after eight yearsIPEDS, full-time students who started in 2015
28%
Students in that eight-year groupIPEDS, full-time students who started in 2015
338
Pay after college
Median pay 6 years after starting collegeCollege Scorecard
$49,326
Median pay 10 years after starting collegeCollege Scorecard, 2022-23
$53,378
Earning more than $25,000 six years after startingCollege Scorecard, earlier release
71%
Debt and paying it back
Median federal debt, students who graduatedCollege Scorecard, 2024-25
$21,730
Median federal debt, everyone who borrowed (finished or not)College Scorecard, earlier release
$14,250
Median federal debt, students with a Pell GrantCollege Scorecard, earlier release
$17,250
Median federal debt, students without a Pell GrantCollege Scorecard, earlier release
$11,142
Paying down their loans 3 years after leavingCollege Scorecard, 2024-25
67%
Paying down their loans 5 years after leavingCollege Scorecard, earlier release
73%
Paying down their loans 7 years after leavingCollege Scorecard, earlier release
79%
Where these numbers come from
- Admit rate and applicants: IPEDS, fall 2024 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
- Cost, pay and debt: College Scorecard, 2024-25 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
Updated Oct 31, 2026Spot a mistake?How we get our numbers