ROTC at Dakota State University
Madison, SD · public
Yes, through cross-town: Dakota State University students join Air Force ROTC at South Dakota State University.
Cross-town & partner options
Dakota State University students can also join these branches. They travel to the partner school for training.
Air Force/Space Force ROTCCross-town · 26.7 miCross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at South Dakota State University.
ROTC outcomes
Students at Dakota State University in ROTC, from any branch and any unit. Averages per academic year, AY2011–AY2021.
- Fewer than 1 officer commissioned per year, all services
- About 2.1 students start ROTC here each year
Source: GAO, GAO-23-105857 (campus data, AY2011–AY2021). GAO counted cadets and commissions by the school the student attended. Numbers for recent years can differ.
Admissions
| Admission rate | 88% |
|---|---|
| SAT range (25th–75th) | 1,190–1,440 |
| ACT range (25th–75th) | 20–27 |
| Test policy | Test-optional |
These are the most recent College Scorecard figures. The school decides admission. An ROTC scholarship board judges your academics on its own, in a separate process.
Cost & financial aid (with ROTC)
| In-state tuition | $9,654 |
|---|---|
| Out-of-state tuition | $12,756 |
| Average net price | $21,057 |
| 6-year graduation rate | 51% |
Tuition and net price: College Scorecard. You can usually combine an ROTC scholarship with other aid from Dakota State University. Ask the unit and the financial aid office to confirm how the aid combines.
Academic programs
Dakota State University has 2,071 undergraduates. ROTC cadets can study almost any major. Some scholarships and commissioning options prefer certain fields.
Yellow Ribbon & veteran support
Yellow Ribbon is a GI Bill benefit for veterans and eligible dependents, not an ROTC scholarship. The school pays part of the tuition above the GI Bill cap, and VA matches it.
Yellow Ribbon: VA lists no Yellow Ribbon agreement for Dakota State University.
Source: VA GI Bill Comparison Tool, checked Oct 14, 2026. Confirm amounts with the school's veterans office before you enroll.
ROTC at Dakota State University: FAQ
Does Dakota State University have ROTC?
Yes, through cross-town: Dakota State University students join Air Force ROTC at South Dakota State University.
Which ROTC branches can Dakota State University students join?
Air Force ROTC (cross-town at South Dakota State University, 27 mi).
Is ROTC at Dakota State University on campus or cross-town?
Air Force ROTC is cross-town: cadets enroll at Dakota State University and train with the unit at South Dakota State University.
School links and location
These links belong to Dakota State University. To ask about an ROTC program, open that program above and use the unit's own contact details. ROTCScholar is not the school and not the unit.
- Official site
dsu.edu
- Admissions
dsu.edu
- Apply
dsu.edu
- Financial aid
dsu.edu
- Net price calculator
Estimate your cost before ROTC money is applied
Location: Madison, SD 57042-1799
IPEDS UNITID: 219082
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