BSC vs. NDSU

Bismarck State College and North Dakota State University Main Campus side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Bismarck State College
North Dakota State University Main Campus

At a glance

  • Cheaper after aid: BSC. Average net price is $10,462 vs $15,596 at NDSU.
  • Earnings 10 years out: BSC $49,200 vs NDSU $53,600 (median).
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Key differences

Bismarck State College North Dakota State University Main Campus
Acceptance rate
NDSU more selective
BSC-
NDSU95%
SAT range (middle 50%)
NDSU higher
BSC-
NDSU968-1216
Average net price
BSC $5,134 less
BSC$10,462
NDSU$15,596
In-state tuition
BSC $5,863 less
BSC$5,247
NDSU$11,110
Out-of-state tuition
BSC $8,433 less
BSC$7,331
NDSU$15,764
Graduation rate
NDSU +54 pts
BSC-
NDSU54%
Median earnings (10 years)
NDSU +$4,400
BSC$49,200
NDSU$53,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • BSC -
  • NDSU 7,228
  • Admitted
  • BSC -
  • NDSU 6,864
  • Acceptance rate
  • BSC Open
  • NDSU 95%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • BSC Open
  • NDSU 32%
  • Typical SAT score
  • BSC
  • NDSU 1090
  • Typical ACT score
  • BSC
  • NDSU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • BSC -
  • NDSU 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • BSC -
  • NDSU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • BSC Unavailable
  • NDSU Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • BSC
  • NDSU
  • SAT range
  • BSC
  • NDSU 968-1216
  • ACT range
  • BSC
  • NDSU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • BSC Open admission
  • NDSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • BSC
  • NDSU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • BSC $5,247
  • NDSU $11,110
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • BSC $7,331
  • NDSU $15,764
  • Room & board
  • BSC $8,273
  • NDSU $9,928
  • Average net price
  • BSC $10,462
  • NDSU $15,596
  • Average grant aid
  • BSC $5,049
  • NDSU $6,409
  • % receiving grant aid
  • BSC 73%
  • NDSU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • BSC -
  • NDSU 54%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • BSC $49,200
  • NDSU $53,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • BSC 74%
  • NDSU 81%
  • Median student loan debt
  • BSC $11,041
  • NDSU $23,300
  • Median loan payment
  • BSC $114
  • NDSU $240
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • BSC 13:1
  • NDSU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • BSC
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (41%)
    • Engineering Technology (27%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
    • Business (6%)
    • Construction Trades (5%)
  • NDSU
    • Business (19%)
    • Engineering (14%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Agriculture (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Location
  • BSC Bismarck, ND
  • NDSU Fargo, ND
  • Setting
  • BSC Small City
  • NDSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • BSC 4,206
  • NDSU 11,952
  • Type
  • BSC Public 4 Year
  • NDSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • BSC
  • NDSU #601

Comparable Facts

Compare Bismarck State College in Bismarck, ND with North Dakota State University Main Campus in Fargo, ND on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

North Dakota State University Main Campus is larger than BSC based on total student enrollment (11,952 students vs. 4,206 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bismarck State College is located in Bismarck, ND (Small City setting); North Dakota State University Main Campus is in Fargo, ND (Midsize City setting).
  • Bismarck State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Bismarck State College 13:1; North Dakota State University Main Campus 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bismarck State College are 16.7% lower than at North Dakota State University Main Campus ($8,273 vs. $9,928).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 115% higher at NDSU than at Bismarck State College (about $8,433 more per year; $15,764 vs. $7,331).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Dakota State University Main Campus than at Bismarck State College (81% vs. 73%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Dakota State University Main Campus students is 26.9% larger than aid received by Bismarck State College students ($6,409 vs. $5,049).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are open admission at BSC, test optional at NDSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: NDSU Aug 1, 2027.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Bismarck State College graduates have a $12,259 lower median loan debt than NDSU graduates ($11,041 vs. $23,300).
  • Among borrowers, BSC graduates have an estimated $126 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NDSU graduates ($114 vs. $240).
  • More NDSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BSC students, three years after graduation (81% vs. 74%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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