Head-to-head · 2026
Bismarck State College vs University of Mary
Compare average net price ($10,270 at Bismarck State College; $17,770 at University of Mary), ROI score (13.21 vs 8.57), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($54,277 vs $60,909), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Bismarck State College; 75.3% at University of Mary) 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 | University of Mary |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 13.21 ✓ | 8.57 |
| Avg net price | $10,270 ✓ | $17,770 |
| 4-year avg net price | $41,080 ✓ | $71,080 |
| In-state tuition | $5,247 | $22,356 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $7,331 | $22,356 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $54,277 | $60,909 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 75.3% |
| Graduation rate | 47.2% | 66.6% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 76.8% | 83.5% ✓ |
| Median debt | $11,533 ✓ | $24,000 |
| Enrollment | 2,839 | 2,416 |
| Ownership | Public | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | — | 1159 |
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 | University of Mary |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,140 ✓ | $11,593 |
| Family income $30–48k | $5,828 ✓ | $12,282 |
| Family income $48–75k | $8,524 ✓ | $13,087 |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,160 ✓ | $16,001 |
| Family income $110k+ | $13,979 ✓ | $20,063 |
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 | University of Mary |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 30.6% | 2.3% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 4.4% | 19.7% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 4% | 12.8% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 2% | 2.4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 0.2% | 2.9% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 0.1% | 2.5% |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 2% | 0.1% |
| Human Services, General | 0.8% | 0.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Bismarck State College reports the lower average net price by $7,500 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $30,000 difference over four years ($41,080 vs $71,080).
University of Mary reports $6,632 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($60,909 vs $54,277). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 76.8% at Bismarck State College and 83.5% at University of Mary. Median federal debt among completers is $11,533 vs $24,000, 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.
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Frequently asked
Bismarck State College vs University of Mary, 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 $17,770 at University of Mary. The annual difference of $7,500 adds up to about $30,000 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Mary reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $60,909 vs $54,277 at Bismarck State College. The gap in the federal data is $6,632. 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.