Head-to-head · 2026
Bismarck State College vs Dakota College at Bottineau
Compare average net price ($10,270 at Bismarck State College; $10,039 at Dakota College at Bottineau), ROI score (13.21 vs 10.10), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($54,277 vs $40,576), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Bismarck State College; Open / not reported at Dakota College at Bottineau) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Bismarck State College | Dakota College at Bottineau |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 13.21 ✓ | 10.10 |
| Avg net price | $10,270 | $10,039 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $41,080 | $40,156 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $5,247 | $5,388 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $7,331 | $6,294 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $54,277 ✓ | $40,576 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 47.2% | 48% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 76.8% ✓ | 63.3% |
| Median debt | $11,533 | $10,507 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,839 | 399 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Bismarck State College | Dakota College at Bottineau |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,140 ✓ | $7,225 |
| Family income $30–48k | $5,828 ✓ | $6,229 |
| Family income $48–75k | $8,524 | $8,476 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,160 | $11,796 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $13,979 ✓ | $16,037 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Bismarck State College | Dakota College at Bottineau |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 30.6% | 39.3% |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | 4.6% | 16% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 4% | 16.4% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 2% | 4.6% |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | 5.2% | 0.5% |
| Agricultural Business and Management | 4.2% | 1.4% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 0.3% | 3.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Dakota College at Bottineau reports the lower average net price by $231 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $924 difference over four years ($40,156 vs $41,080).
Bismarck State College reports $13,701 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($54,277 vs $40,576). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 76.8% at Bismarck State College and 63.3% at Dakota College at Bottineau. Median federal debt among completers is $11,533 vs $10,507, respectively.
7 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Bismarck State College vs Dakota College at Bottineau, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Dakota College at Bottineau is cheaper — average net price $10,039 per year vs $10,270 at Bismarck State College. The annual difference of $231 adds up to about $924 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Bismarck State College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $54,277 vs $40,576 at Dakota College at Bottineau. The gap in the federal data is $13,701. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.