North Dakota State College of Science vs. MSU-Bottineau

Comparable Facts

Compare North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND with Dakota College at Bottineau in Bottineau, ND on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Dakota State College of Science is larger than MSU-Bottineau based on total student enrollment (3,367 students vs. 1,204 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Dakota State College of Science is located in Wahpeton, ND (Remote Town setting); Dakota College at Bottineau is in Bottineau, ND (Remote Rural setting).
• North Dakota State College of Science is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Dakota College at Bottineau is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Dakota State College of Science 12:1; Dakota College at Bottineau 9:1.

North Dakota State College of Science vs. MSU-Bottineau Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Dakota State College of Science or MSU-Bottineau? 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 Dakota College at Bottineau than North Dakota State College of Science ($9,387 vs. $10,794).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Dakota State College of Science are 10.6% lower than at Dakota College at Bottineau ($8,096 vs. $9,060).
• North Dakota State College of Science is 10.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU-Bottineau (about $586 more per year; $5,974.00 vs. $5,388.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.8% higher at North Dakota State College of Science than at Dakota College at Bottineau (about $679 more per year; $6,973.00 vs. $6,294.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at North Dakota State College of Science as at Dakota College at Bottineau (74% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dakota College at Bottineau students is 15.4% larger than aid received by North Dakota State College of Science students ($6,652 vs. $5,762).

North Dakota State College of Science vs. MSU-Bottineau Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, North Dakota State College of Science or MSU-Bottineau? 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 MSU-Bottineau and North Dakota State College of Science.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: North Dakota State College of Science - Open admission; MSU-Bottineau - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: MSU-Bottineau Sep 8, 2026.

North Dakota State College of Science vs. MSU-Bottineau Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for North Dakota State College of Science and MSU-Bottineau? 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 North Dakota State College of Science earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than MSU-Bottineau graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,300 vs. $40,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dakota College at Bottineau graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than North Dakota State College of Science graduates ($10,500 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, MSU-Bottineau graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than North Dakota State College of Science graduates ($108 vs. $124).
• More North Dakota State College of Science graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU-Bottineau students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 60%)

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.