Dickinson State University
#1 Best Business Colleges in North Dakota- Graduation Rate
- 47% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $50,720 B-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $14,092 C+
- 18% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 37% A
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 18.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $18.8 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Business Colleges in North Dakota.
Every $1 spent returns $18.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,004,526.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 24% above the national college median.
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Social mobility rate of 4.10% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $18.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Dickinson State University Matters
Dickinson State University is a public college in Dickinson, ND and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 1,090
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Education, Health Professions, Psychology
Why students choose Dickinson State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 37% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $14,092 a year after grants and scholarships — 18% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $50,720 ten years after enrolling — 24% above the typical college, against $18,442 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 4.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 3% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.73 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 1,090 students, Dickinson State University caters well to those seeking a close-knit community and personalized attention. The acceptance rate of 37% means that while it's selective, there's still a chance for students who are focused and passionate about their education. Here, students can dive into a variety of fields, including Business & Marketing, Education, Health Professions, Humanities, and Precision Production. This diversity allows for a broad exploration of interests while building a solid foundation for future careers.
Looking at life after graduation, students can expect to earn around $50,720 within ten years of completing their degree. That’s a solid start, especially for those in fields like health professions or business. The affordability of attending Dickinson State is notable, with a net price of $14,092 after aid. This makes it accessible for many, but it's important to consider the median debt of $18,442 that graduates carry. While the figures suggest a manageable financial landscape, they also highlight the need for careful planning before taking on loans.
When it comes to the bottom line, students who thrive here often embrace the smaller campus environment and value a supportive atmosphere. With a Pell Grant rate of 21%, there are opportunities for financial assistance, but students should be mindful of their debt load when considering their options. Ultimately, those who succeed at Dickinson State University are typically proactive, engaged learners ready to take advantage of both academic and community resources.
Rankings
- #1 Best Business Colleges in North Dakota
- #5 Best Education Colleges in North Dakota
- #7 Best Master's Programs in North Dakota
- #9 Best Colleges in North Dakota
- #9 Best Online Colleges in North Dakota
- #10 Best Nursing Colleges in North Dakota
- #12 Most Affordable Colleges in North Dakota
- #34 Best Colleges in Plains
Can I Get In?
How selective Dickinson State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Dickinson State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Dickinson, North Dakota, Dickinson State University reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 37%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 19. The graduation rate is roughly 47%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 37%
- Retention Rate
- 67%
- ACT Midpoint
- 19
- Full-Time Faculty
- 50%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,146
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.40
- First-Gen Students
- 31%
- Applicants
- 729
- Admitted
- 525
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 Dickinson State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Dickinson State University is $9,118, 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 $14,092. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,479 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,442 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $9,118
- Out-of-State
- $9,118
- Avg Net Price
- $14,092
- Median Debt
- $18,442
- Pell Grant Rate
- 21%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 34%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,479
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $8,094
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $12,985
- Family Income $110K+
- $16,922
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Dickinson State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Dickinson State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Dickinson State University earn a median of $50,720, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $48,628
- 8 Years
- $50,628
- 10 Years
- $50,720
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.36x
- Earning > $25K
- 75%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (22)
- 16%
- 100% (22)
- 16%
- 100% (22)
- 16%
- 100% (22)
- 16%
How Dickinson Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Dickinson State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Dickinson State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $14,092/year ($56,368 total). Graduates earn $50,720 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,060,894 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,004,526 (18.8× your investment). The median debt is $18,442, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 47% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $56,368
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,060,894
- Net Return
- $1,004,526
- ROI Multiple
- 18.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $14,092
- Median Debt
- $18,442
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 47%
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 Dickinson State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Dickinson State University 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 4.10%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 13.9% 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 29.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $57,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 4.10%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 29.5%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 13.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $78,530
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $398,910
- Investment Income
- $155,705
Top Programs
The fields Dickinson State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 33% $51,716 early-career
- Education 13% $50,714 early-career
- Health Professions 9% $74,862 early-career
- Psychology 4%
- Biology & Biomedical 3%
- Humanities 3%
- Precision Production 3%
- Computer Science & IT 2% $54,296 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Dickinson State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Dickinson State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Dickinson, North Dakota, Dickinson State University reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 37%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 19. The graduation rate is roughly 47%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Dickinson State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Dickinson State University is $9,118, 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 $14,092. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,479 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,442 in federal student loans.
Is Dickinson State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Dickinson State University earn a median of $50,720, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Dickinson State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Dickinson State University 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 4.10%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 13.9% 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 29.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $57,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Dickinson State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Dickinson State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.73, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Dickinson State University.
- Thomas UniversityThomasville, GA · Close peer28% grad $49,716 earn 38% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity
- Mount St. Joseph UniversityCincinnati, OH · Close peer56% grad $51,509 earn 59% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- West Virginia University Institute of TechnologyBeckley, WV · Close peer34% grad $55,939 earn 37% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity
- University of Virginia's College at WiseWise, VA · Close peer48% grad $45,325 earn 29% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Ave Maria UniversityAve Maria, FL · Close peer55% grad $49,520 earn 41% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Belhaven UniversityJackson, MS · Close peer50% grad $46,440 earn 50% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Dickinson State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Dickinson State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.73, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note