DSU vs. MSU

Dickinson State University and Minot State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Dickinson State University
Minot State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: DSU (37% admitted vs 64.6%). Typical SAT 1000 vs 1040.
  • Cheaper after aid: MSU. Average net price is $13,092 vs $14,698 at DSU.
  • Graduation: DSU 26% vs MSU 34%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: DSU $46,800 vs MSU $45,200 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Dickinson State University Minot State University
Acceptance rate
DSU more selective
DSU37%
MSU64.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
MSU higher
DSU875-1130
MSU930-1140
Average net price
MSU $1,606 less
DSU$14,698
MSU$13,092
In-state tuition
MSU $416 less
DSU$9,118
MSU$8,702
Out-of-state tuition
MSU $416 less
DSU$9,118
MSU$8,702
Graduation rate
MSU +8 pts
DSU26%
MSU34%
Median earnings (10 years)
DSU +$1,600
DSU$46,800
MSU$45,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at DSU and MSU with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at DSU Check my chances at MSU
  • Applied
  • DSU 1,356
  • MSU 701
  • Admitted
  • DSU 502
  • MSU 453
  • Acceptance rate
  • DSU 37%
  • MSU 64.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • DSU 51.8%
  • MSU 77.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • DSU 1000
  • MSU 1040
  • Typical ACT score
  • DSU 18
  • MSU 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • DSU 3.11
  • MSU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • DSU B
  • MSU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • DSU Extremely Easy
  • MSU Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • DSU High
  • MSU Low
  • SAT range
  • DSU 875-1130
  • MSU 930-1140
  • ACT range
  • DSU 16-21
  • MSU 18-24
  • Submit test scores
  • DSU Test-free
  • MSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • DSU
  • MSU Jun 30, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • DSU $9,118
  • MSU $8,702
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • DSU $9,118
  • MSU $8,702
  • Room & board
  • DSU $8,564
  • MSU $8,534
  • Average net price
  • DSU $14,698
  • MSU $13,092
  • Average grant aid
  • DSU $5,667
  • MSU $6,016
  • % receiving grant aid
  • DSU 92%
  • MSU 90%
  • Graduation rate
  • DSU 26%
  • MSU 34%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • DSU $46,800
  • MSU $45,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • DSU 77%
  • MSU 74%
  • Median student loan debt
  • DSU $18,781
  • MSU $18,725
  • Median loan payment
  • DSU $194
  • MSU $193
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • DSU 16:1
  • MSU 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • DSU
    • Business (42%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • MSU
    • Business (36%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Human Services (6%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)
  • Location
  • DSU Dickinson, ND
  • MSU Minot, ND
  • Setting
  • DSU Remote Town
  • MSU Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • DSU 1,410
  • MSU 2,751
  • Type
  • DSU Public 4 Year
  • MSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • DSU #767
  • MSU #616

Comparable Facts

Compare Dickinson State University in Dickinson, ND with Minot State University in Minot, ND on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Minot State University is larger than DSU based on total student enrollment (2,751 students vs. 1,410 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Dickinson State University is located in Dickinson, ND (Remote Town setting); Minot State University is in Minot, ND (Remote Town setting).
  • Dickinson State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Minot State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Dickinson State University 16:1; Minot State University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minot State University are 0.4% lower than at Dickinson State University ($8,534 vs. $8,564).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.8% higher at DSU than at Minot State University (about $416 more per year; $9,118 vs. $8,702).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson State University than at Minot State University (92% vs. 90%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Minot State University students is 6.2% larger than aid received by Dickinson State University students ($6,016 vs. $5,667).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at MSU than at DSU (21 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at DSU, test optional at MSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: MSU Jun 30, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at MSU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.31 higher than at DSU (3.11).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 51.8% at DSU vs. 77.9% at MSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Minot State University graduates have a $56 lower median loan debt than DSU graduates ($18,725 vs. $18,781).
  • Among borrowers, MSU graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DSU graduates ($193 vs. $194).
  • More DSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU students, three years after graduation (77% vs. 74%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Dickinson State University
Minot State University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges