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Dickinson State University
Dickinson State University admits a bit under 40% of applicants; strong grades put you in the conversation at Dickinson State University, and the data below says what "strong" means.
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Dickinson State University anchors the college town of Dickinson, ND, where the public campus and town largely share a footprint.
Its highest-earning path is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, where graduates median $81,904 four years out. 21.5% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. Most of its 1,090 undergraduates commute — campus empties by evening — yet 67.4% of first-years return, which says something about what daytime here is worth.
Dickinson State University won't look at test scores — here the GPA calculator is the tool that matters. Bring your saved semester numbers and see what they average.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Dickinson State University received 831 applications and admitted 499 (60%), with 226 enrolling.
Leave the SAT prep out of this one — test scores are disregarded entirely. Dickinson State University's 37% admission rate turned on grades and application strength.
How Dickinson State University compares
| Dickinson State University | North Dakota median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 37% | 76.1% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $9,118 | $10,951 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $50,720 | $52,725 | $53,781 |
At $50,720, ten-year earnings trail the state median ($52,725). Look at Dickinson State University's major-level rows below before reading too much into the campus-wide number.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $9,118 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $9,118. For non-residents, Dickinson State University's $9,118 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
Enrollment sits at 1,090 — Dickinson State University is one of the smaller campuses on this site.
50.6% graduate within six years. Roughly 49% don't — ask a Dickinson State University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Dickinson State University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $81,904 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $76,040 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $67,169 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $66,147 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $64,488 |
| Agriculture, General | $52,529 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $42,639 |
Median earnings for these 7 Dickinson State University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $50,720 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 23 additional Dickinson State University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Dickinson State University?
Dickinson State University doesn't look at test scores; its 37% admission rate turned on transcripts, coursework rigor and the application itself.
What is Dickinson State University's acceptance rate?
60% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 499 admitted from 831 applicants.
How much does Dickinson State University cost?
In-state tuition is $9,118; out-of-state students pay $9,118. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Dickinson State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $50,720 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in North Dakota
- University of Jamestown — 88.1% admitted
- University of Mary — 75.3% admitted
- Minot State University — 64.6% admitted
- University of North Dakota — 76.9% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.