RMC vs. DSU

Deciding between Rocky Mountain College and Dickinson State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Rocky Mountain College
Dickinson State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • RMC Billings, MT
  • DSU Dickinson, ND
  • Setting
  • RMC Midsize City
  • DSU Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • RMC 1,032
  • DSU 1,410
  • Type
  • RMC Private 4 Year
  • DSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • RMC #709
  • DSU #767
  • Religious Affiliation
  • RMC United Church of Christ
  • DSU -
  • Status
  • RMC Non-profit
  • DSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • RMC
  • DSU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • RMC $35,582
  • DSU $9,118
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • RMC $35,582
  • DSU $9,118
  • Room & Board
  • RMC $10,152
  • DSU $8,564
  • Average Net Price
  • RMC $20,791
  • DSU $14,698
  • Average Grant Aid
  • RMC $25,508
  • DSU $5,667
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • RMC 100%
  • DSU 92%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • RMC 1,405
  • DSU 1,356
  • Admitted
  • RMC 978
  • DSU 502
  • Acceptance Rate
  • RMC 69.6%
  • DSU 37%
  • Enrolled
  • RMC 28.6%
  • DSU 51.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • RMC 1010
  • DSU 1000
  • Typical ACT score
  • RMC 21
  • DSU 18
  • Average High School GPA
  • RMC 3.42
  • DSU 3.11
  • Typical High School Grades
  • RMC B+
  • DSU B
  • Admissions Standards
  • RMC Very Easy
  • DSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • RMC Low
  • DSU High
  • ACT Range
  • RMC 18/24
  • DSU 16/21
  • SAT Range
  • RMC 893/1133
  • DSU 875/1130
  • Submit Test Scores
  • RMC Test optional
  • DSU Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • RMC
  • DSU

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • RMC 14:1
  • DSU 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • RMC
    • Business (17%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Transportation and Materials Moving (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • DSU
    • Business (42%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • General Studies (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • RMC 50%
  • DSU 26%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • RMC $46,800
  • DSU $46,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • RMC 66%
  • DSU 77%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • RMC $26,000
  • DSU $18,781
  • Median Loan Payment
  • RMC $268
  • DSU $194

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • RMC 50%
  • DSU 43%
  • % Women
  • RMC 50%
  • DSU 57%
  • Racial Diversity
  • RMC Low
  • DSU Low
  • HBCU
  • RMC No
  • DSU No
  • % White
  • RMC 78%
  • DSU 76%
  • % Asian
  • RMC 1%
  • DSU 1%
  • % Black
  • RMC 3%
  • DSU 5%
  • % Hispanic
  • RMC 6%
  • DSU 6%
  • % Native American
  • RMC 2%
  • DSU 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • RMC 1%
  • DSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • RMC 4%
  • DSU 3%
  • % International
  • RMC 4%
  • DSU 6%
  • % Unknown Race
  • RMC 2%
  • DSU 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • RMC 50%
  • DSU 45%
  • % Out-of-State
  • RMC 43%
  • DSU 51%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • RMC Yes
  • DSU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • RMC No
  • DSU No
  • Meal Plan
  • RMC Yes
  • DSU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • RMC No
  • DSU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • RMC Yes
  • DSU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Rocky Mountain College in Billings, MT with Dickinson State University in Dickinson, ND on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dickinson State University is larger than RMC based on total student enrollment (1,410 students vs. 1,032 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Rocky Mountain College is located in Billings, MT (Midsize City setting); Dickinson State University is in Dickinson, ND (Remote Town setting).
  • Rocky Mountain College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Rocky Mountain College 14:1; Dickinson State University 16:1.

RMC vs. DSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RMC or DSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dickinson State University than RMC ($14,698 vs. $20,791).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson State University are 15.6% lower than at Rocky Mountain College ($8,564 vs. $10,152).
  • Rocky Mountain College is 290.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than DSU (about $26,464 more per year; $35,582.00 vs. $9,118.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 290.2% higher at RMC than at Dickinson State University (about $26,464 more per year; $35,582.00 vs. $9,118.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rocky Mountain College than at Dickinson State University (100% vs. 92%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rocky Mountain College students is 350.1% larger than aid received by Dickinson State University students ($25,508 vs. $5,667).

RMC vs. DSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RMC or DSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between DSU and RMC.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rocky Mountain College (1010) is 10 points higher than at DSU (1000).
  • Incoming RMC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at DSU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rocky Mountain College 893/1133; Dickinson State University 875/1130.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rocky Mountain College 18/24; Dickinson State University 16/21.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RMC - Test optional; DSU - Test-free.
  • Accepted freshman RMC students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at DSU (3.11).
  • RMC has a higher acceptance rate (69.6%) than DSU (37%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.6% at RMC vs. 51.8% at DSU.

RMC vs. DSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RMC and DSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Rocky Mountain College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Dickinson State University's (26%).
  • Graduates of Rocky Mountain College and DSU have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($46,800 vs. $46,800), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson State University graduates have a $7,219 lower median loan debt than RMC graduates ($18,781 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, DSU graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RMC graduates ($194 vs. $268).
  • More DSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RMC students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 66%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.