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.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $20,567 |
| Tuition and Fees | $9,118 |
| Room and Board | $8,564 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$6,475 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $14,092 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $10,479 |
| $30–48k | $8,094 |
| $48–75k | $12,985 |
| $75–110k | $15,484 |
| $110k+ | $16,922 |
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 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 .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
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 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.
