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#6 Best Public Universities in North Dakota

DSU Admission Requirements

Dickinson, North Dakota

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Your chances of getting into Dickinson State University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

72%
Admission Difficulty for Dickinson State University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Extremely Easy 
Applicant Competition Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at DSU is 72%.  Its admission rate is the 3rd lowest in North Dakota.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into DSU and can you get accepted?

DSU is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 525 out of the 729 who applied were admitted.

Dickinson State University typically accepts and attracts "B" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.11. 46% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into DSU?

72% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

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Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Dickinson State University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.11 or better
  • Earn B grades in high school
  • Score 1000 on the SAT
  • Score 18 on the ACT

DSU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.11

Typical High School Grades 

B

What GPA do you need to get into Dickinson State University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into DSU are to have around a 3.11 high school GPA. You need about average high school grades.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as DSU accepts 72% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at DSU is 3.11 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B letter grades and regularly score around 83-86 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #9 in North Dakota for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since DSU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.1 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Dickinson State University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 6.05% Good
3.75 to 3.99 13.21% Good
3.50 to 3.74 16.98% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 15.09% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 13.96% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 20.75% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 8.3% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 1.89% Reach
less than 1.00 1.89% Reach

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

DSU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Dickinson State University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 4% of students submitted SAT scores and 57% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

875-1130

Applicants Submitting SAT 

4%
SAT Scores for Dickinson State University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 450
Math 25th Percentile 425
Composite 25th Percentile 875
SAT Scores for Dickinson State University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 550
Math 75th Percentile 580
Composite 75th Percentile 1130
Average SAT Score 1000

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Dickinson State University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at DSU is 1000 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 875-1130. Students who get into Dickinson State University score in the top 100 percent of all SAT test takers..  DSU ranks #9 in the state of North Dakota for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1000 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. DSU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 875 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 875, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 750, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Dickinson State University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1000 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1002, you have around a 72% chance of being admitted. A 1130 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 83% chance of getting in.

Dickinson State University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1130 and Above Good >83%
1002 to 1130 Avg + 72%-83%
875 to 1002 Avg - 58%-72%
748 to 875 Reach 42%-58%
Less than 748 Low <42%
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DSU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

16-21 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

57%
ACT Scores for Dickinson State University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 14
Math 25th Percentile 16
Composite 25th Percentile 16
ACT Scores for Dickinson State University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 20
Math 75th Percentile 21
Composite 75th Percentile 21
Average ACT Score 18

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into DSU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to DSU is 18, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 16 and 21.  The school ranks #9 in North Dakota for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 18. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 16 and score in the score in the top 75 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 14.

57 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Dickinson State University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Dickinson State University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into DSU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 18 score has around 72% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 85% with a 21 ACT score.

Dickinson State University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
21 and Above Good >85%
18 to 21 Avg + 72%-85%
16 to 18 Avg - 61%-72%
14 to 16 Reach 48%-61%
Less than 14 Low <48%
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Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Dickinson State University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 372 357 729
Accepted 268 257 525
Acceptance Rate 72% 72% 72%
Enrolled 111 131 242
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 41% 51% 46%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Dickinson State University is $35.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Dickinson State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Dickinson State University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Dickinson State University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because DSU is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.11 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 1000 on the SAT and 18 on the ACT will further lock in your application.

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=200059 IPEDS survey data for Dickinson State University.

Last updated February 24, 2024