Head-to-head · 2026
Bismarck State College vs North Dakota State University-Main Campus
Compare average net price ($10,270 at Bismarck State College; $15,543 at North Dakota State University-Main Campus), ROI score (13.21 vs 10.00), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($54,277 vs $62,203), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Bismarck State College; 95% at North Dakota State University-Main Campus) 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 | North Dakota State University-Main Campus |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 13.21 ✓ | 10.00 |
| Avg net price | $10,270 ✓ | $15,543 |
| 4-year avg net price | $41,080 ✓ | $62,172 |
| In-state tuition | $5,247 | $11,110 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $7,331 | $15,764 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $54,277 | $62,203 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 95% |
| Graduation rate | 47.2% | 63.9% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 76.8% | 78.4% ✓ |
| Median debt | $11,533 ✓ | $23,199 |
| Enrollment | 2,839 | 9,471 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1150 |
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 | North Dakota State University-Main Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,140 ✓ | $9,370 |
| Family income $30–48k | $5,828 ✓ | $11,343 |
| Family income $48–75k | $8,524 ✓ | $11,923 |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,160 ✓ | $16,082 |
| Family income $110k+ | $13,979 ✓ | $18,856 |
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 | North Dakota State University-Main Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 30.6% | 0.2% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 4% | 7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 4.4% | 5.4% |
| Agricultural Business and Management | 4.2% | 1.7% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 2% | 2.1% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 0.2% | 2.7% |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 0.1% | 2.2% |
| Design and Applied Arts | 1% | 0.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Bismarck State College reports the lower average net price by $5,273 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $21,092 difference over four years ($41,080 vs $62,172).
North Dakota State University-Main Campus reports $7,926 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($62,203 vs $54,277). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 76.8% at Bismarck State College and 78.4% at North Dakota State University-Main Campus. Median federal debt among completers is $11,533 vs $23,199, respectively.
8 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 North Dakota State University-Main Campus, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Bismarck State College is cheaper — average net price $10,270 per year vs $15,543 at North Dakota State University-Main Campus. The annual difference of $5,273 adds up to about $21,092 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $62,203 vs $54,277 at Bismarck State College. The gap in the federal data is $7,926. 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.