Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Dickinson State University #799 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $11,909 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 16.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Dickinson State University #1089 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions — reflecting strong outcomes for students from diverse backgrounds. --- Dickinson State University's composite ranking reflects balanced performance across access, mobility, and affordability pillars. The institution earns about $11,909 less than similar students at comparable institutions demonstrates consistent outcomes relative to peer institutions.
Azimuth ranks Dickinson State University #799 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public master's university in Dickinson, North Dakota, Dickinson State University enrolls roughly 1,090 undergraduates. Retention stands at 67.4% and the six-year graduation rate is 50.6%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional public institution. Dickinson State University delivers meaningful returns on investment for its student body. Azimuth ranks Dickinson State University #964 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $11,909 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Dickinson State University in the 16.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's strength in Business and related fields supports career outcomes that outperform what similar students achieve at comparable institutions. Access and affordability round out the composite profile. Dickinson State University enrolls 21.5% Pell-eligible students and 30.5% first-generation undergraduates, reflecting a broad-access mission typical of regional public universities. The institution sits in the 34.9 percentile for access and the 87.4 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, positioning it as an affordable option for families seeking strong long-term financial outcomes without the cost premium of selective institutions.
Dickinson State University's published cost of attendance is $20,567. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $10,479, middle-income families pay around $12,985, and higher-income families pay approximately $16,922. Azimuth ranks Dickinson State University #181 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Dickinson State's pricing structure reflects its public-university mission: the net-price spread across income bands is moderate, meaning need-based aid provides meaningful support but does not eliminate cost differences by family income. The university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state aid programs, and need-based institutional aid supplements those sources for qualifying students. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $18,442, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $10,030; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $59,571, median federal debt of $18,442 projects to a monthly payment of about $208 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Dickinson State University is a good fit for students seeking a public university experience in ND with a focus on Business and applied fields. Its outcomes are particularly strong for students from low-income and first-generation backgrounds. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $59,571, placing Dickinson State University in the 44.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $11,909 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 16.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 21.5% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 30.5% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place Dickinson State University in the 49.9 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 37.0% admit rate makes the application process competitive, and the program mix favors applied-professional fields over research-oriented ones. Students whose interests align with business and similar areas will find the earnings trajectory and aid package competitive.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Dickinson State University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Toledo Higher acceptance rate (34.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | OH | 95% | $50,632 | Compare |
Pittsburg State University Higher acceptance rate (28.1 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | KS | 88% | $50,579 | Compare |
Minot State University Same state with nearly identical earnings and similar program focus; same institution type | ND | 72% | $51,759 | Compare |
University Of Jamestown Same state (earnings difference: 11.6%) and similar program focus | ND | 94% | $56,621 | Compare |
Texas Wesleyan University Similar admission rate (2.3 percentage points difference) and similar test scores (0 point difference) with similar program focus | TX | 62% | $54,053 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of The Virgin Islands Similar quality tier (#25960 ranked) | VI | 99% | $38,681 | #25960 | Compare |
University Of Minnesota-Morris Similar quality tier in Midwest (#25948 ranked) | MN | 75% | $50,919 | #25948 | Compare |
Eastern Oregon University Similar quality tier (#25991 ranked) | OR | 98% | $50,112 | #25991 | Compare |
Suny At Fredonia Similar quality tier (#25904 ranked) | NY | 78% | $54,247 | #25904 | Compare |
University Of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton Similar quality tier (#24852 ranked) | AR | 100% | $34,924 | #24852 | Compare |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
13 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services
11 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
35 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
17 graduates
Human Resources Management and Services
10 graduates
Dickinson State University's program mix is anchored in business and applied professional fields, reflecting the institution's regional public-university identity. Business Administration is the largest program with 35 graduates, followed by Teacher Education, Subject-Specific Teacher Education, Agriculture, General, and Accounting.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 200 students annually, the portfolio reflects Business as the dominant concentration, with meaningful enrollment in education, health sciences, and applied trades. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in business and technical fields.
Nursing leads with median earnings of $81,904 four years after enrollment across 13 graduates, followed by Finance with $76,040 and 35 graduates. Business Administration graduates earn $67,169, while Accounting and Agriculture, General round out the highest-earning programs with $66,147 and $52,529 respectively.
These programs reflect direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter regional and national labor markets immediately after completion. Dickinson State University's program signature aligns with regional workforce demand in the Northern Plains.
The concentration in Business (representing 37% of graduates), combined with Education (18%) and Social Sciences (2%), positions graduates for stable employment in sectors with consistent hiring. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these program families align with regional and national labor-market trends.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Dickinson State University's published cost of attendance is $20,567. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $10,479, middle-income families pay around $12,985, and higher-income families pay approximately $16,922.
Azimuth ranks Dickinson State University #181 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Dickinson State's pricing structure reflects its public-university mission: the net-price spread across income bands is moderate, meaning need-based aid provides meaningful support but does not eliminate cost differences by family income. The university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state aid programs, and need-based institutional aid supplements those sources for qualifying students.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $18,442, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $10,030; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $59,571, median federal debt of $18,442 projects to a monthly payment of about $208 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Dickinson State University earn median 4-year earnings of $59,571, placing Dickinson State University in the 44.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $11,909 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Dickinson State University in the 16.8 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Dickinson State University #964 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These outcomes reflect earnings that exceed the $35,041 baseline for working adults in ND with only a high school credential, demonstrating lifetime returns from a Dickinson State degree.
The earnings pattern centers on Business and applied professional fields. Business Administration is the largest program with 35 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $67,169, at 1.0x the national benchmark for the field.
Teacher Education and Subject-Specific Teacher Education round out the top enrollment drivers. Among higher-earning programs, Agriculture, General graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $52,529 — 1.0x the national benchmark — while Accounting delivers median 4-year earnings of $66,147 at 0.9x benchmark.
This concentration in Business and related professional fields aligns with regional employer demand and contributes to the institution's solid long-term financial outcomes for graduates.
