Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Bismarck State College at a Glance
Bismarck State College (BSC) is a public college in Bismarck, North Dakota, United States. It is the third largest college in the North Dakota University System with 4,206 students enrolled for the 2024-2025 academic year. Established in 1939, it is a comprehensive community college that offers the first two years of education toward a bachelor's degree in most fields as well as 14+ bachelor's degrees and several undergraduate programs in conjunction with other university system institutions. In…
1939
87 years old
4,500
120 acres
Identity
Is Bismarck State College Worth It?
Bismarck State College delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $10,270/year, it's priced 50% below average, while graduates go on to earn $54,277 — 1% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 48% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Bismarck State College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #20 of 191 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #2 | CUNY York College | 100 | $4,456 | $56,945 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #5 | Bates Technical College | 86 | $6,292 | $50,051 |
| #6 | University of Illinois Springfield | 83 | $9,833 | $57,103 |
| #20 | Bismarck State College | 63 | $10,270 | $54,277 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Bismarck State College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in ND.
Best Programs at Bismarck State College
The highest-earning program at Bismarck State College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $100,500/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Bismarck State College earns $100,500, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $100,500. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $20,999 in median debt vs. $20,999 for Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $10,270/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $100,500 | $100,500 | $20,999 |
Similar Colleges in ND
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Bismarck, ND
- Student Body
- 2,839 students
- Graduation Rate
- 48%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $10,270
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $54,277
- Median Student Debt
- $11,533