Head-to-head · 2026
Bismarck State College vs University of North Dakota
Compare average net price ($10,270 at Bismarck State College; $18,551 at University of North Dakota), ROI score (13.21 vs 8.56), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($54,277 vs $63,552), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Bismarck State College; 76.9% at University of North Dakota) 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 North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 13.21 ✓ | 8.56 |
| Avg net price | $10,270 ✓ | $18,551 |
| 4-year avg net price | $41,080 ✓ | $74,204 |
| In-state tuition | $5,247 | $10,951 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $7,331 | $15,570 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $54,277 | $63,552 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 76.9% |
| Graduation rate | 47.2% | 60.5% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 76.8% | 84% ✓ |
| Median debt | $11,533 ✓ | $22,057 |
| Enrollment | 2,839 | 9,981 |
| 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 | University of North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,140 ✓ | $13,126 |
| Family income $30–48k | $5,828 ✓ | $12,251 |
| Family income $48–75k | $8,524 ✓ | $15,206 |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,160 ✓ | $18,981 |
| Family income $110k+ | $13,979 ✓ | $20,730 |
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 North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 30.6% | 2.9% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 4% | 6.6% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 4.4% | 3.3% |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | 5.2% | 0% |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | 0.7% | 4.3% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 2% | 1.1% |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 2% | 0.6% |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 0.7% | 1.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Bismarck State College reports the lower average net price by $8,281 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $33,124 difference over four years ($41,080 vs $74,204).
University of North Dakota reports $9,275 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($63,552 vs $54,277). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 76.8% at Bismarck State College and 84% at University of North Dakota. Median federal debt among completers is $11,533 vs $22,057, 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
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Bismarck State College vs University of North Dakota, 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 $18,551 at University of North Dakota. The annual difference of $8,281 adds up to about $33,124 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of North Dakota reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $63,552 vs $54,277 at Bismarck State College. The gap in the federal data is $9,275. 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.