Dickinson State University
A good fit for families looking for lower cost and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 1,090 students.
About This School
Dickinson State University is a public institution located in Dickinson, North Dakota with approximately 1,090 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 37% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $14,092 per year. The graduation rate is 51%, and the typical graduate earns $49,300 within 10 years of enrollment.
Dickinson State University (DSU) is a public university in Dickinson, North Dakota, United States. It is part of the North Dakota University System. It was founded in 1918 as Dickinson State Normal School and granted full university status in 1987.
The numbers tell a mixed story here — at just $15,270/year net price and only $11,960 in median debt at graduation, DSU is genuinely affordable, and graduates earning a median $49,300 after 10 years suggests a decent return on that modest investment. The real concern is the 43% graduation rate and 60% freshman retention rate, meaning fewer than half of students who start here actually finish — worth asking hard questions about support resources and whether the campus environment is a good fit before committing. Worth considering if you're cost-conscious and drawn to a small, rural setting, but go in with a clear plan to be one of the students who makes it through.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 29% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,090 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in North Dakota
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Grand Forks, ND · Public
North Dakota State University
Fargo, ND · Public
Bismarck State College
Bismarck, ND · Public
University of Mary
Bismarck, ND · Private nonprofit
Minot State University
Minot, ND · Public
North Dakota State College of Science
Wahpeton, ND · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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