Dickinson State University
Dickinson State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Dickinson State University at a Glance
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.
1918
108 years old
$9M
$8.9 million
1,392
63
110 acres
Identity
Is Dickinson State University Worth It?
Dickinson State University offers moderate value at $14,092/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $50,720, which is 6% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 47% 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 Dickinson State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #17 of 48 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 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #2 | Grays Harbor College | 75 | $4,783 | $40,865 |
| #3 | North Central State College | 71 | $4,687 | $38,158 |
| #4 | University of Virginia's College at Wise | 59 | $9,210 | $45,325 |
| #5 | Edison State Community College | 55 | $7,142 | $41,360 |
| #6 | South Seattle College | 54 | $6,004 | $44,486 |
| #17 | Dickinson State University | 42 | $14,092 | $50,720 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Dickinson State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in ND.
Best Programs at Dickinson State University
The highest-earning program at Dickinson State University is Accounting and Related Services at $40,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health and Physical Education/Fitness at $36,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Accounting and Related Services graduate from Dickinson State University earns $40,500, while a Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduate earns $36,000. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Accounting and Related Services graduates carry $19,058 in median debt vs. $24,759 for Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $14,092/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $40,500 | $40,500 | $19,058 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $39,600 | $39,600 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $37,500 | $37,500 | $16,061 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $36,000 | $36,000 | $24,759 |
Similar Colleges in ND
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Dickinson, ND
- Student Body
- 1,090 students
- Admission Rate
- 37%
- Graduation Rate
- 47%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $14,092
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $50,720
- Median Student Debt
- $18,442