About

About Dickinson State University

small public universitynorth dakota prairie campusbusiness education nursing focusaccessible admissionssmall class sizes

Dickinson State University is a public liberal arts college in Dickinson, ND, known for its north dakota prairie campus, business education nursing focus, and accessible admissions. With an acceptance rate of 72%, Dickinson State is accessible for most qualified applicants, typically enrolling around 242 students each year. Dickinson State is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 875–1130, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. Dickinson State offers merit scholarships regardless of financial need, with awards averaging $4,986 per year; the sticker price of $22,142 may look very different from what your family actually pays.

Admissions

Dickinson State University acceptance rate and admitted student profile

accessible for most qualified applicants

72%
Overall Accept Rate
1003
Median Admitted SAT
SATSubmitted score range: 875 – 1130 (test optional)

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Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to Dickinson State University

Demonstrated Interest
Dickinson State actively tracks campus visits and personal outreach, so reach out directly to the admissions office or schedule a visit to the Dickinson, ND campus to show you are genuinely interested in joining the Blue Hawks community.
Application Strategy
Dickinson State has strong agriculture and teacher education programs that align closely with the regional North Dakota economy, so if either of those areas matches your goals, name the specific program in your application materials to show a clear fit.

Financial Aid & Cost

What Dickinson State University actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Family IncomeSticker PriceAvg. Net Cost / yr
0-30k~$22k/yr$10.5k
30k-48k~$22k/yr$8.1k
48k-75k~$22k/yr$13.0k
75k-110k~$22k/yr$15.5k
110k+~$22k/yr$16.9k

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

43%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$49k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
13:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
1,117
Undergrad Enrollment

Student Body

Student body composition

Race & Ethnicity

77%White
7%Two or More Races
7%Hispanic
3%Black / African American
2%International
2%American Indian / AK Native
2%Unknown / Unreported
1%Asian
1%Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
Gender45% Men · 55% Women
Citizenship / Immigration Status98% Citizens and Immigrants · 2% International
Dickinson State, Dickinson Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch