Dickinson State University campus
Dickinson State University logo

Dickinson State University

Type 4 year, Public
Campus locale Town: Remote
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate
Calendar system Semester
Student body size Small
Dormitory capacity 397
Student to faculty ratio 13 to 1
Acceptance rate 99%
Students retention rate 65%
On-time graduation rate 36%

Located in Dickinson, North Dakota, Dickinson State is a public, institution that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. The college operates on a semester-based calendar system, providing students with structured academic terms.

The acceptance rate of 99% indicates that Dickinson State is open to a wide range of applicants, providing opportunities for a diverse student body.

Dickinson State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ensuring that the institution meets certain standards of quality and effectiveness. This accreditation also allows students to transfer credits to other accredited institutions if they choose to continue their education elsewhere.

With a students-to-faculty ratio of 13-to-1, Dickinson State emphasizes small class sizes, fostering a supportive and interactive learning environment.

While the on-time graduation rate at Dickinson State is reported to be 36%, it is essential to consider the context of this statistic. For comparison, North Dakota state's graduation rate for the 2021-2022 was 41% whereas the national average was 49%.

The retention rate of students at Dickinson State is 65% , which is lower than both the state and national averages. The state average retention rate in North Dakota is 69%, while the national average is 72%. This indicates that a significant proportion of students who enroll at Dickinson State do not continue their studies after the first year.


  • Accredited by: Higher Learning Commission
  • The institution provides on-campus housing

Acceptance Rate

Fall 2021 admitted students

99.3%

In-State Tuition & Fees

$8,122

Cost of attendance at Dickinson State University in 2022 for students from North Dakota.

See how the college's in-state sticker price compares to 4 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

North Dakota's average $7,345
National average $8,573

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$9,942

Cost of attendance at Dickinson State University in 2022 for the out-of-state and international students

See how the college's out-of-state sticker price compares to 4 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

North Dakota's average $9,639
National average $18,862

Average Grant & Scholarships

In 2022, 96 of freshman students at Dickinson State University received on average $5,352 in grant and scholarships from the college, the state and/or the federal government. Below is detail stats of the aid provided to full-time, freshman students.

$5,352
Students Receiving Aid Average Amount Total Amount
Pell Grant 69 30% $3,955 $272,929
Other Federal Grant 92 40% $4,351 $400,329
State Grant/Scholarships 82 36% $2,115 $173,424
Institutional Grant/Scholarships 187 82% $3,171 $592,919
Total Grant & Scholarships 218 96% $5,352 $1,166,672

Graduation Rate

The following chart shows the graduation rate of Dickinson State University students who enrolled in 2015 and after. The stat covers all undergraduates registered as full-time students to study a 4-year bachelor's degree program for the first time.

The breakdown shows the graduation rate by race/ethnicity of US students. All international students are represented under one group.

As of August 31, 2021, the average graduation rate of Dickinson State University students is 36.4%. Female students graduated at a rate of 40.6%, whereas male students graduated at a rate of 30.9%.

36.4%

  • white 40.0% 56 students
  • hispanic 42.1% 8 students
  • International Students 15.4% 2 students

Sport Conferences

  • Football North Star Athletic Association
  • Baseball North Star Athletic Association
  • Basketball North Star Athletic Association
  • Track and Cross Country North Star Athletic Association

Athletic Associations

  • NAIA
    National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)

Service Offerings

Dickinson State University provides the following additional services to its students
  • Remedial services
  • Placement services for graduates
  • Academic/career counseling services
  • Employment services for students

Educational Offerings

Dickinson State University offers educational programs in the following categories. Check the programs section to learn more about specific programs that you are interested in.
  • Academic
  • Occupational

Special Learning Opportunities

  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification

Veteran Services

  • Member of Service-members Opportunity Colleges
  • Credit for military training

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