Head-to-head · 2026
Dickinson State University vs University of North Dakota
Compare average net price ($14,092 at Dickinson State University; $18,551 at University of North Dakota), ROI score (9.00 vs 8.56), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($50,720 vs $63,552), and admissions selectivity (37% acceptance at Dickinson State University; 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 | Dickinson State University | University of North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.00 ✓ | 8.56 |
| Avg net price | $14,092 ✓ | $18,551 |
| 4-year avg net price | $56,368 ✓ | $74,204 |
| In-state tuition | $9,118 | $10,951 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $9,118 | $15,570 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $50,720 | $63,552 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 37% | 76.9% |
| Graduation rate | 50.6% | 60.5% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 67.4% | 84% ✓ |
| Median debt | $18,442 ✓ | $22,057 |
| Enrollment | 1,090 | 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 | Dickinson State University | University of North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $10,479 ✓ | $13,126 |
| Family income $30–48k | $8,094 ✓ | $12,251 |
| Family income $48–75k | $12,985 ✓ | $15,206 |
| Family income $75–110k | $15,484 ✓ | $18,981 |
| Family income $110k+ | $16,922 ✓ | $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 | Dickinson State University | University of North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 14.4% | 3.7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 12.7% | 3.3% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 7.4% | 3.6% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 3.8% | 6.6% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 5.6% | 0.9% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 2.9% | 2.9% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 4.4% | 1% |
| Biology, General | 2.7% | 2.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Dickinson State University reports the lower average net price by $4,459 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $17,836 difference over four years ($56,368 vs $74,204).
University of North Dakota reports $12,832 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($63,552 vs $50,720). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 67.4% at Dickinson State University and 84% at University of North Dakota. Median federal debt among completers is $18,442 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.
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Frequently asked
Dickinson State University vs University of North Dakota, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Dickinson State University is cheaper — average net price $14,092 per year vs $18,551 at University of North Dakota. The annual difference of $4,459 adds up to about $17,836 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 $50,720 at Dickinson State University. The gap in the federal data is $12,832. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Dickinson State University is more selective at 37% acceptance vs 76.9% at University of North Dakota.
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.