About Bemidji State University
Bemidji State University capitalizes on its location in Minnesota's northwoods to offer some of the country's strongest outdoor recreation programs. The university enrolls 3,120 students in a remote town setting where forestry, environmental studies, and natural resources management take center stage. Students here often pursue careers that connect directly to the logging and natural resources industries that define the region. The acceptance rate of 77.52% makes admission accessible for most qualified applicants.
The financial picture looks reasonable for a public university. Students pay an average net price of $17,050 after aid, with the same tuition rate of $10,164 applying to both in-state and out-of-state students. Graduates earn a median of $53,755 ten years after leaving, while carrying typical debt loads of $19,750. Monthly loan payments average $209, which represents a manageable burden given the earning potential.
The student body skews female at 59.07% and draws heavily from Minnesota, with 86.71% coming from in-state. The Beavers compete in NCAA Division II athletics across 13 varsity sports with 389 total athletes. However, the 53.40% six-year graduation rate suggests students should come prepared to stay focused on their academic goals.
The financial picture looks reasonable for a public university. Students pay an average net price of $17,050 after aid, with the same tuition rate of $10,164 applying to both in-state and out-of-state students. Graduates earn a median of $53,755 ten years after leaving, while carrying typical debt loads of $19,750. Monthly loan payments average $209, which represents a manageable burden given the earning potential.
The student body skews female at 59.07% and draws heavily from Minnesota, with 86.71% coming from in-state. The Beavers compete in NCAA Division II athletics across 13 varsity sports with 389 total athletes. However, the 53.40% six-year graduation rate suggests students should come prepared to stay focused on their academic goals.
Academics & Faculty
Bemidji State offers full undergraduate programs with particular strength in natural resources, education, and outdoor recreation fields that reflect northern Minnesota's environment. The 16:1 student-faculty ratio provides reasonable access to professors, though the 53% six-year graduation rate suggests students face challenges completing their degrees. The university is known for its forestry and environmental science programs, which connect directly to the region's timber and tourism industries. Education majors benefit from strong partnerships with regional school districts. Students interested in outdoor recreation management find specialized coursework that few other Minnesota universities offer. The 78% retention rate indicates most students stay engaged through their sophomore year before facing completion hurdles.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 61.7%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 51.6%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 53.4%
- Retention Rate
- 78.2%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $53,755
- Carnegie Classification
- Master's University (Small)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Technology, General. | Bachelor | $63,005 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $62,654 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $62,069 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $55,512 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $47,260 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $46,193 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $41,937 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $41,789 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $40,855 |
| Geography and Cartography. | Bachelor | $36,941 |
Campus Life
Bemidji sits 220 miles northwest of Minneapolis, where winter temperatures regularly drop below zero and snow covers the ground for months. You'll need serious winter gear here. The campus borders Lake Bemidji, creating a stunning backdrop for outdoor activities that define student life. With housing capacity for only 935 students and total enrollment of 3,120, about 30% of students live on campus in a tight-knit community.
Weekends revolve around outdoor recreation, reflecting the university's strong natural resources programs. Students fish, hike, and camp in the surrounding Northwoods during warmer months. Winter brings ice fishing, skiing, and snowshoeing. The 16:1 student-faculty ratio creates close relationships with professors who often share students' passion for the outdoors. With 86.71% of students from Minnesota, the campus feels like an extended family where everyone knows each other. The Beavers compete in 13 NCAA Division II sports, and games provide popular weekend entertainment. Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues downtown symbolize the area's logging heritage that still influences campus culture.
Weekends revolve around outdoor recreation, reflecting the university's strong natural resources programs. Students fish, hike, and camp in the surrounding Northwoods during warmer months. Winter brings ice fishing, skiing, and snowshoeing. The 16:1 student-faculty ratio creates close relationships with professors who often share students' passion for the outdoors. With 86.71% of students from Minnesota, the campus feels like an extended family where everyone knows each other. The Beavers compete in 13 NCAA Division II sports, and games provide popular weekend entertainment. Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues downtown symbolize the area's logging heritage that still influences campus culture.
- Setting
- Town-Remote
- Housing Capacity
- 935 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1919
Campus Safety (2023)
20 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rape | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fondling | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Domestic Violence | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Stalking | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Statutory Rape | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- -4°–16°F
- July Avg
- 57°–77°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 26.6"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.0"
Student Demographics
The student body at Bemidji State draws heavily from Minnesota, with 87% coming from in-state. This reflects the university's strong regional reputation and its role serving northern Minnesota communities. Women outnumber men by a significant margin, likely reflecting the school's emphasis on education and social work programs alongside its outdoor recreation focus. About one in four students receives Pell Grants, showing the university serves working-class families from rural Minnesota. The demographics align with Bemidji's mission as an accessible public university rooted in its logging town heritage and natural resources tradition.
- Men
- 40.9%
- Women
- 59.1%
- White
- 77.8%
- Black
- 3.1%
- Hispanic
- 4.1%
- Asian
- 1.7%
- In-State Students
- 86.7%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 26.3%
Location
Bemidji sits in northern Minnesota, roughly 220 miles northwest of Minneapolis. The town of 15,000 residents sits on the shores of Lake Bemidji, surrounded by dense forests and numerous lakes that define the region's character. With 86.71% of students coming from in-state, most are already familiar with Minnesota's outdoor culture. The area epitomizes northern Minnesota's wilderness setting, where logging and natural resources have shaped the local economy for generations. Students here experience true small-town college life in a remote setting that offers unparalleled access to fishing, hiking, and winter sports. Students considering colleges in Minnesota may also compare Bemidji State University with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Bemidji, Minnesota 56601
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $53,755
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $55,807
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $37,000
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 67.6%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $209/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $19,750
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Bemidji State University?
Bemidji State University accepts 77.52% of applicants with an average ACT score of 21. The university takes a fairly open approach to admissions, welcoming students who want to experience northern Minnesota's outdoor recreation opportunities and natural resources programs.
How much does Bemidji State University cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $17,050 annually at Bemidji State University. The school offers the same tuition rate of $10,164 for both in-state and out-of-state students, making it an affordable option for students from across the region.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Bemidji State University?
Bemidji State University maintains a 16:1 student-faculty ratio with total enrollment of 3,120 students. The university is known for its strong outdoor recreation and natural resources programs that take advantage of the surrounding northern Minnesota wilderness.
What are the graduation outcomes at Bemidji State University?
Bemidji State University graduates 53.40% of students within six years, with a median salary of $53,755 ten years after graduation. The 97.1% employment rate reflects strong connections to Minnesota's logging and natural resources industries.
Where is Bemidji State University located and what is campus life like?
Bemidji State University sits in the remote town of Bemidji, Minnesota, with housing capacity for 935 students. The campus serves as a gateway to outdoor adventures, with 59.07% women and 40.93% men making up the student body of primarily Minnesota residents.
Does Bemidji State University have strong athletics programs?
Bemidji State University competes in NCAA Division II with 13 varsity sports and 389 total athletes known as the Beavers. The university awards $2,252,726 in athletic scholarships and competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
