SCSU vs. BSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT with Bismarck State College in Bismarck, ND on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Connecticut State University is larger than BSC based on total student enrollment (9,377 students vs. 4,206 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Connecticut State University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Bismarck State College is in Bismarck, ND (Small City setting).
• Southern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bismarck State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Connecticut State University 11:1; Bismarck State College 13:1.

SCSU vs. BSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCSU or BSC? 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 SCSU ($10,462 vs. $19,827).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bismarck State College are 44.6% lower than at Southern Connecticut State University ($8,273 vs. $14,938).
• Southern Connecticut State University is 156.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSC (about $8,191 more per year; $13,438.00 vs. $5,247.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 273.5% higher at SCSU than at Bismarck State College (about $20,047 more per year; $27,378.00 vs. $7,331.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Connecticut State University than at Bismarck State College (78% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Connecticut State University students is 97.6% larger than aid received by Bismarck State College students ($9,977 vs. $5,049).

SCSU vs. BSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCSU or BSC? 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 BSC and SCSU.

• Bismarck State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCSU - Test-free; BSC - Open admission.

SCSU vs. BSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCSU and BSC? 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 $3,400 more per year than SCSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bismarck State College graduates have a $12,209 lower median loan debt than SCSU graduates ($11,041 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, BSC graduates have an estimated $126 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCSU graduates ($114 vs. $240).
• More BSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCSU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 62%)

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.