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Dakota College at Bottineau logo
Public Bottineau, ND · Rural · Plains · 87% data
B Affordability B Value C+ Social Mobility
Graduation Rate
51% C-
About half of students who start complete their degree
Earnings (10yr)
$40,576 C
Roughly in line with national averages
Net Price
$10,039 B
41% less than the typical college
Enrollment
399
Earnings -1% vs avg
Graduation -11% vs avg
Net Price +-41% vs avg
Mobility Top 38%

Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 26.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $26.5 over 20 years. Ranked #6 in Most Affordable Colleges in North Dakota.

26.5× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $26.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,024,828.

What The Data Says

  1. A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.

  2. Every $1 invested returns $26.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

About Dakota College at Bottineau

Dakota College at Bottineau is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Public Community College
Carnegie Class
Associate's College
Enrollment
399
Setting
Rural
Primary Strengths
Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts

Why students choose Dakota College at Bottineau

Outstanding value
Low net price against strong graduate earnings
Strength in Humanities
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

C+
Top 39% overall
C
Earnings
$40,576 median
B
Value
4.0× net price
B
Affordability
$10,039/yr net
C-
Graduation
51% graduate
C+
Social Mobility
1.7% climb Q1→Q5
C+
Diversity
0.61 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →

Overview

Dakota College at Bottineau serves around 400 students, making it an inviting option for those who prefer a close-knit campus environment. The college excels in several fields, with notable programs in Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, and Computer Science & IT. This diversity allows students to hone in on their specific interests while enjoying a supportive community.

After graduation, students can expect to earn about $40,576 within ten years of completing their degree. This figure suggests that graduates find jobs that can lead to stable careers. With a net price of $10,039 after aid and a median debt of $10,507, many students are able to manage their financial commitments effectively, making it a reasonable choice for those mindful of affordability.

The bottom line is that Dakota College at Bottineau is a practical option for students looking for a supportive environment. We see a demographic that thrives here, often those who appreciate a smaller campus and personalized attention. The low debt load and manageable costs help ensure that graduates can focus on their careers rather than being weighed down by financial stress.

Rankings

Can I Get In?

How selective Dakota College at Bottineau is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Dakota College at Bottineau? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Dakota College at Bottineau, located in Bottineau, North Dakota, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.

Retention Rate
63%
Full-Time Faculty
29%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$5,774
Student–Faculty Ratio
10:1
Diversity Index
0.61
First-Gen Students
40%

Can I Afford It?

What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.

Cost & Financial Aid

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Dakota College at Bottineau? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Dakota College at Bottineau is $6,294, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $10,039. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,225 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,507 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$5,388
Out-of-State
$6,294
Avg Net Price
$10,039
Median Debt
$10,507
Pell Grant Rate
13%
Federal Loan Rate
15%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$7,225
Family Income $30K–$48K
$6,229
Family Income $48K–$75K
$8,476
Family Income $110K+
$16,037

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Graduate Outcomes

Is Dakota College at Bottineau Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Dakota College at Bottineau report median earnings of $40,576, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.

6 Years After Entry
$32,758
8 Years
$37,988
10 Years
$40,576
Debt-to-Earnings
0.26x
Earning > $25K
66%

Earnings Trajectory

$32,758 6yr $37,988 8yr $40,576 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (31)
19%
100% (31)
19%
100% (31)
19%
100% (31)
19%

How Dakota Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation51%Earnings 10yr$41KNet Price$10KRetention63%Median Debt$11KPell Grant Rate13%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$7K$0-30K$6K$30-48K$8K$48-75K$16K$110K+

The Mobility Equation

Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?

ACCESS% from bottom 20%14.6%SUCCESS% who reach top 20%11.9%MOBILITY1.74%

College ROI Calculator

Is Dakota College at Bottineau Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, Dakota College at Bottineau delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $10,039/year ($40,156 total). Graduates earn $40,576 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,064,984 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,024,828 (26.5× your investment). The median debt is $10,507, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 51% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$40,156
Projected 20yr Earnings
$1,064,984
Net Return
$1,024,828
ROI Multiple
26.5×
Cost Per Year
$10,039
Median Debt
$10,507
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr
Graduation Rate
51%

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Social Mobility

Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records

Does Dakota College at Bottineau Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes

Dakota College at Bottineau is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.74%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $54,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.

Mobility Rate
1.74%
Bottom 20% → Top 20%
Success Rate
11.9%
If bottom 20% get in
From Bottom 20%
14.6%
Share of students
Parent Median Income
$54,900

Institutional Finances

Data: NCES IPEDS

Endowment
$4,004,953
Federal Grants
$525,495
Investment Income
$144,405

Top Programs

The fields Dakota College at Bottineau awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Dakota College at Bottineau? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Dakota College at Bottineau, located in Bottineau, North Dakota, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Dakota College at Bottineau? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Dakota College at Bottineau is $6,294, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $10,039. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,225 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,507 in federal student loans.

Is Dakota College at Bottineau Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Dakota College at Bottineau report median earnings of $40,576, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.

Does Dakota College at Bottineau Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes

Dakota College at Bottineau is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.74%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $54,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.

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The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

The 2026 Annual Report

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

Every state graded on what graduates earn, how far they climb, and what college really costs — the hidden geography of economic mobility, in one report.

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