True College Verdict
D

Dickinson State University

Dickinson, ND · 1,090 undergraduates · 25% receive Pell Grants · admits 37%
PublicMainly bachelor's degrees

Below average. Ask hard questions before enrolling. It ranks 1,162 of 1,755 four-year colleges on student outcomes, with an overall score of 39.6 out of 100.

Is it affordable?
Yes
Average net price $14,076 a year after grants. Typical for similar colleges: $19,899.
Will most students finish?
About half
52% graduate within 8 years. Typical for similar colleges: 59%.
Is it worth the price?
Likely
Graduates owe a typical $15,125 against earnings of $55,221, a ratio of 0.27. Under 0.4 is comfortable; over 0.7 is heavy.

These three answers are rules of thumb from the numbers below, not advice for any one student or major.

What do students really think?

You have seen the federal numbers for Dickinson State University. Now hear from people who went there, or add your own experience. Anonymous, no account.

Would you choose it again? That is the first question the rating form asks.

Why it is good

  • Debt is manageable: graduates owe a typical $15,125 in federal loans against earnings of $55,221.
  • Affordable: the average student pays about $14,076 a year after grants, cheaper than 74% of four-year colleges.

Why it is bad

  • Only 52% of students graduate. 68% of four-year colleges do better.
  • Many students leave early: only 67% of first-year students return for a second year.

The numbers

What these figures measure

Graduation rate: share of all students, full-time or part-time, who finish within 8 years. Return for year 2: share of first-time, full-time students who come back for a second year. Earnings: median pay about 10 years after starting, for students who received federal aid. Debt: median federal loan debt among those who finish. Net price: average yearly cost after grants and scholarships. All from the U.S. Education Department College Scorecard, institution file dated November 2, 2026.

Graduation rate
52%
Better than 32% of similar colleges. Typical: 59%
Return for year 2
67%
Better than 25% of similar colleges. Typical: 77%
Earnings after 10 years
$55,221
Better than 40% of similar colleges. Typical: $58,912
Debt at graduation
$15,125
Better than 79% of similar colleges. Typical: $21,609
Net price per year
$14,076
Better than 74% of similar colleges. Typical: $19,899
Published tuition
$9,418
Out of state: $11,608

Programs and early earnings

Bachelor's degrees: largest programs

Associate degrees: largest programs

Certificates and diplomas: largest programs

Earnings are the median pay two years after completing, for graduates who were working and not enrolled again. The federal government hides figures for small programs, shown as n/a. Fields are broad groups, so a college may offer several majors inside one.

Students and reviews

Numbers cannot tell you about teaching, dorms or campus life. Read and write anonymous student reviews for Dickinson State University, or ask and answer questions about it. Other sources:

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The grade reflects outcomes for the average student compared with other four-year colleges. Individual majors can be much better or worse.