BSC vs. DSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Bismarck State College in Bismarck, ND with Dickinson State University in Dickinson, ND on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bismarck State College is larger than DSU based on total student enrollment (4,206 students vs. 1,410 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bismarck State College is located in Bismarck, ND (Small City setting); Dickinson State University is in Dickinson, ND (Remote Town setting).
• Bismarck State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bismarck State College 13:1; Dickinson State University 16:1.

BSC vs. DSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSC or DSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bismarck State College than DSU ($10,462 vs. $14,698).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bismarck State College are 3.4% lower than at Dickinson State University ($8,273 vs. $8,564).
• Dickinson State University is 73.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSC (about $3,871 more per year; $9,118.00 vs. $5,247.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.4% higher at DSU than at Bismarck State College (about $1,787 more per year; $9,118.00 vs. $7,331.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson State University than at Bismarck State College (92% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson State University students is 12.2% larger than aid received by Bismarck State College students ($5,667 vs. $5,049).

BSC vs. DSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BSC or DSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between DSU and BSC.

• Bismarck State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsDickinson State University 875/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsDickinson State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSC - Open admission; DSU - Test-free.

BSC vs. DSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSC and DSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Bismarck State College earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than DSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $46,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bismarck State College graduates have a $7,740 lower median loan debt than DSU graduates ($11,041 vs. $18,781).
• Among borrowers, BSC graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DSU graduates ($114 vs. $194).
• More DSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BSC students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.