Dickinson State vs MSU-Northern
Dickinson State University (DSU) and Montana State University-Northern (MSU-N) are two public universities located in the northern plains of the United States. Both institutions offer a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs, but there are some key differences between the two schools. DSU has a higher acceptance rate and a larger student body, while MSU-N has a higher graduation rate and a more diverse student population. Additionally, the two schools offer different popular majors, with DSU specializing in business and education and MSU-N specializing in agriculture and nursing. To help you make an informed decision about which school is the best fit for you, we have compiled a comprehensive comparison table that highlights the key differences between DSU and MSU-N.
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![]() Dickinson State University |
![]() Montana State University-Northern |
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Overview |
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Location | Dickinson, North Dakota | Havre, Montana |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | Town: Remote |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 65.0% | 70.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 99.3% | 100.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$35
Graduate:
$35
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Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$30
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SAT range | 923 - 1063 | N/A |
ACT range | 16 - 22 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 4.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 63.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 459 | 604 |
Total number of admissions given out | 456 | 604 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 269 | 189 |
Yield rate | 59.0% | 31.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | |
High school GPA | Required | N/A |
Recommendation letters | Not required | N/A |
High school transcript | Not required | N/A |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | N/A |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$20,322
Out of state:
$22,142
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In state:
$18,255
Out of state:
$30,965
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Average net price | $15,607 | $10,954 |
Tuition |
In state:
$6,474
Out of state:
$8,294
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In state:
$4,496
Out of state:
$17,096
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$3,000
Meal plan:
$4,500
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Room/dormitory:
$2,470
Meal plan:
$4,050
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
96.0%
Average amount $5,352 |
92.0%
Average amount $6,857 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
53.0%
Average amount $4,882 |
45.0%
Average amount $4,649 |
Students taking out private loans |
13.0%
Average amount $8,989 |
1.0%
Average amount $11,383 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,337
Men 43.2% Women 56.8% |
1,008
Men 57.8% Women 42.2% |
Graduate students |
78
Men 52.6% Women 47.4% |
42
Men 23.8% Women 76.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 50.2% | N/A |
International students | 3.4% | N/A |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | Town: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 397 | 300 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | North Dakota Montana Wyoming South Dakota California | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 36.4% | 31.3% |
Dropout rate | 29.4% | 67.3% |
Transferred out | 32.1% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Agriculture, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Data Processing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies (Associate's Degrees)
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