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ISU Minnesota University of Minnesota-Duluth MSU Moorhead University of North Dakota South Dakota State University Concordia College at Moorhead South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Iowa St. Cloud State University Umary University of Minnesota-Rochester| Bismarck State College | North Dakota State University Main Campus | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
BSC | NDSU | ||
| Location | Bismarck, ND | Fargo, ND | ||
| Setting | Small City | Midsize City | ||
| Enrollment | 3,771 | 12,242 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #568 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | bismarckstate.edu | ndsu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
BSC | NDSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $4,167 | $9,309 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $6,251 | $13,963 | ||
| Room & Board | $7,830 | $9,300 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $11,309 | $15,962 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $4,239 | $5,732 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 70% | 77% |
Admission |
BSC | NDSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | - | 8,535 | ||
| Admitted | - | 8,166 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | Open | 95.7% | ||
| Enrolled % | Open | 30.8% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | - | 3.53 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | - | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Unavailable | Moderate | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 19/25 | |||
| SAT Range | 968/1216 | |||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | |||
| Application Deadline | Aug 1, 2025 |
Academics |
BSC | NDSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 14:1 | 17:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
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Outcomes |
BSC | NDSU | ||
| Graduation Rate | - | 54% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $49,200 | $53,600 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 74% | 81% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $11,041 | $23,300 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $114 | $240 |
Diversity |
BSC | NDSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 52% | 49% | ||
| % Women | 48% | 51% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 86% | 86% | ||
| % Black | 4% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 2% | ||
| % Native American | 2% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 2% | ||
| % International | 0% | 3% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 2% |
Students |
BSC | NDSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 89% | 35% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 10% | 65% | ||
Campus |
BSC | NDSU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- North Dakota State University Main Campus is larger than than BSC based on total student enrollment (12,242 students vs. 3,771 students)
BSC vs. NDSU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, BSC or NDSU?
- North Dakota State University Main Campus is 123.4% more expensive to attend than BSC for in-state tuition ($9,309.00 vs. $4,167.00)
- Out of state tuition is 123.4% higher at NDSU than Bismarck State College ($13,963.00 vs. $6,251.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bismarck State College than NDSU ($11,309 vs. $15,962)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bismarck State College are 18.8% lower than costs at North Dakota State University Main Campus ($7,830 vs. $9,300)
- More students receive financial grant aid at North Dakota State University Main Campus than Bismarck State College (77% vs. 70%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by North Dakota State University Main Campus students is 35.2% larger than aid received Bismarck State College ($5,732 vs. $4,239)
Which college is harder to get into, BSC or NDSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NDSU or BSC .
BSC vs. NDSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, BSC or NDSU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between NDSU and BSC.
- Graduates from North Dakota State University Main Campus earn on average $4,400 more per year than BSC graduates after ten years. ($53,600 vs. $49,200)
- Bismarck State College students graduate with a $12,259 lower median federal student loan debt than NDSU graduates. ($11,041 vs. $23,300)
- BSC graduates are paying $126 less per month on federal student loans than NDSU graduates. ($114 vs. $240)
- More NDSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BSC students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 74%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/