DSU vs. NDSU

Should I go to Dickinson State University or North Dakota State University Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if DSU or NDSU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Dickinson State University vs. North Dakota State University Main Campus comparison
Dickinson State University North Dakota State University Main Campus College 3 College 4
Dickinson State University North Dakota State University Main Campus
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Overview

 DSU NDSU
Location Dickinson, ND Fargo, ND
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 1,473 12,242
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #736 #568
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website dickinsonstate.com ndsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 DSU NDSU
Tuition (In State) $7,470 $9,309
Tuition (Out of State) $9,570 $13,963
Room & Board $7,740 $9,300
Avg Net Price $14,971 $15,962
Avg Grant Aid $5,391 $5,732
% Receiving Grant Aid 92% 77%

Admission

 DSU NDSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 729 8,535
Admitted 525 8,166
Acceptance Rate 72% 95.7%
Enrolled % 46.1% 30.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.11 3.53
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/21 19/25
SAT Range 875/1130 968/1216
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 DSU NDSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (42%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • General Studies (7%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Engineering (14%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Agriculture (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

 DSU NDSU
Graduation Rate 26% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,800 $53,600
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,781 $23,300
Median Loan Payment $194 $240

Diversity

 DSU NDSU
% Men 45% 49%
% Women 55% 51%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 86%
% Black 5% 3%
% Hispanic 6% 2%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 6% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

 DSU NDSU
% In-State 51% 35%
% Out-of-State 46% 65%

Campus

 DSU 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 DSU based on total student enrollment (12,242 students vs. 1,473 students)

DSU vs. NDSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DSU or NDSU?

  • North Dakota State University Main Campus is 24.6% more expensive to attend than DSU for in-state tuition ($9,309.00 vs. $7,470.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 45.9% higher at NDSU than Dickinson State University ($13,963.00 vs. $9,570.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dickinson State University than NDSU ($14,971 vs. $15,962)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson State University are 20.2% lower than costs at North Dakota State University Main Campus ($7,740 vs. $9,300)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Dickinson State University than North Dakota State University Main Campus (92% vs. 77%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Dakota State University Main Campus students is 6.3% larger than aid received Dickinson State University ($5,732 vs. $5,391)

DSU vs. NDSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DSU or NDSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NDSU or DSU .

  • The average SAT score at North Dakota State University Main Campus (1091) is 140 points higher than at DSU (951)
  • Incoming NDSU students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at DSU (20)
  • Accepted freshman NDSU students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at DSU (3.11)
  • NDSU has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than DSU (72%)

DSU vs. NDSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, DSU 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 DSU.

  • The graduation rate at NDSU is higher than Dickinson State University (54% vs. 26%)
  • Graduates from North Dakota State University Main Campus earn on average $6,800 more per year than DSU graduates after ten years. ($53,600 vs. $46,800)
  • Dickinson State University students graduate with a $4,519 lower median federal student loan debt than NDSU graduates. ($18,781 vs. $23,300)
  • DSU graduates are paying $46 less per month on federal student loans than NDSU graduates. ($194 vs. $240)
  • More NDSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DSU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 77%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/