DSU vs. NDSU

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

Dickinson State University
North Dakota State University Main Campus

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: DSU (37% admitted vs 95%). Typical SAT 1000 vs 1090.
  • Cheaper after aid: DSU. Average net price is $14,698 vs $15,596 at NDSU.
  • Graduation: DSU 26% vs NDSU 54%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: DSU $46,800 vs NDSU $53,600 (median).
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Key differences

Dickinson State University North Dakota State University Main Campus
Acceptance rate
DSU more selective
DSU37%
NDSU95%
SAT range (middle 50%)
NDSU higher
DSU875-1130
NDSU968-1216
Average net price
DSU $898 less
DSU$14,698
NDSU$15,596
In-state tuition
DSU $1,992 less
DSU$9,118
NDSU$11,110
Out-of-state tuition
DSU $6,646 less
DSU$9,118
NDSU$15,764
Graduation rate
NDSU +28 pts
DSU26%
NDSU54%
Median earnings (10 years)
NDSU +$6,800
DSU$46,800
NDSU$53,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • DSU 1,356
  • NDSU 7,228
  • Admitted
  • DSU 502
  • NDSU 6,864
  • Acceptance rate
  • DSU 37%
  • NDSU 95%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • DSU 51.8%
  • NDSU 32%
  • Typical SAT score
  • DSU 1000
  • NDSU 1090
  • Typical ACT score
  • DSU 18
  • NDSU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • DSU 3.11
  • NDSU 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • DSU B
  • NDSU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • DSU Extremely Easy
  • NDSU Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • DSU High
  • NDSU
  • SAT range
  • DSU 875-1130
  • NDSU 968-1216
  • ACT range
  • DSU 16-21
  • NDSU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • DSU Test-free
  • NDSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • DSU
  • NDSU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • DSU $9,118
  • NDSU $11,110
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • DSU $9,118
  • NDSU $15,764
  • Room & board
  • DSU $8,564
  • NDSU $9,928
  • Average net price
  • DSU $14,698
  • NDSU $15,596
  • Average grant aid
  • DSU $5,667
  • NDSU $6,409
  • % receiving grant aid
  • DSU 92%
  • NDSU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • DSU 26%
  • NDSU 54%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • DSU $46,800
  • NDSU $53,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • DSU 77%
  • NDSU 81%
  • Median student loan debt
  • DSU $18,781
  • NDSU $23,300
  • Median loan payment
  • DSU $194
  • NDSU $240
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • DSU 16:1
  • NDSU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • DSU
    • Business (42%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • NDSU
    • Business (19%)
    • Engineering (14%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Agriculture (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Location
  • DSU Dickinson, ND
  • NDSU Fargo, ND
  • Setting
  • DSU Remote Town
  • NDSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • DSU 1,410
  • NDSU 11,952
  • Type
  • DSU Public 4 Year
  • NDSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • DSU #767
  • NDSU #601

Comparable Facts

Compare Dickinson State University in Dickinson, 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 DSU based on total student enrollment (11,952 students vs. 1,410 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Dickinson State University is located in Dickinson, ND (Remote Town setting); North Dakota State University Main Campus is in Fargo, ND (Midsize City setting).
  • Dickinson State University 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: Dickinson State University 16:1; North Dakota State University Main Campus 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson State University are 13.7% lower than at North Dakota State University Main Campus ($8,564 vs. $9,928).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 72.9% higher at NDSU than at Dickinson State University (about $6,646 more per year; $15,764 vs. $9,118).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson State University than at North Dakota State University Main Campus (92% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Dakota State University Main Campus students is 13.1% larger than aid received by Dickinson State University students ($6,409 vs. $5,667).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at NDSU than at DSU (22 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at DSU, test optional at NDSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: NDSU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at NDSU average a 3.53 high school GPA, 0.42 higher than at DSU (3.11).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 51.8% at DSU vs. 32% at NDSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson State University graduates have a $4,519 lower median loan debt than NDSU graduates ($18,781 vs. $23,300).
  • Among borrowers, DSU graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NDSU graduates ($194 vs. $240).
  • More NDSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DSU students, three years after graduation (81% vs. 77%).

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

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