At $10,725/yr net price, Bismarck State College graduates earn $54,277/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $20,277/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,725 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $42,900 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $54,277/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$20,277/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 48.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $11,533 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,499/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,726/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,658/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,736/yr |
| $110,001+ | $13,615/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nuclear Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $119,805 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $104,749 | $15,250 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $83,669 | $12,000 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $76,773 | $11,892 |
| Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $74,576 | $12,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $55,964 | $20,479 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers. | Associate | $53,358 | $7,153 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $49,937 | |
| Agricultural Business and Management. | Associate | $48,823 | $12,000 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers. | Certificate | $48,600 | $5,500 |
The Risk Factor
48.0% of students at Bismarck State College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Bismarck State College gives you a low-cost, low-debt path with a solid but not spectacular payoff. At about $10,725 a year net, your median debt at graduation stays near $11,500, which is well below what a single year of tuition runs at many schools. Ten years out, median earnings land at $54,277. That's a real return on a small investment, and the low debt load is the main reason the math works here.
The Business Administration, Management and Operations bachelor's is the clear winner, with graduates earning over $104,000 and carrying only about $15,250 in debt. If you come here for that program, the payoff is strong. No other bachelor-level program earnings are listed, so treat that $104,000 as one specific outcome, not a school-wide expectation. The gap between that figure and the $54,277 median tells you program choice matters a lot at this school.
The real risks are completion, not cost. The 48% graduation rate and 71% retention mean roughly one in three of you won't come back after the first year, and fewer than half finish. Debt is cheap here, but you only get the earnings payoff if you graduate. Dropping out with even modest loans and no credential is the worst outcome, and it happens often enough to take seriously.
On price by income, the tiers stay tight. If your family earns under $30k, you pay about $6,499. above $110k, about $13,615. Even at the top tier, the cost stays reasonable, so there's no steep penalty for higher-income families.
This school fits you if you want low debt, plan to finish, and lean toward business. Look elsewhere if you need a wide range of proven high-earning bachelor's programs or worry about staying enrolled without more support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bismarck State College worth the cost?
Bismarck State College offers strong value with a low net price of $10,725 annually and graduates earning $54,277 after 10 years. The nuclear engineering and business programs provide excellent returns, though the 48% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't finish.
What are the best paying programs at Bismarck State College?
Nuclear engineering technology leads with $119,805 median earnings, followed by business administration at $104,749. Industrial production and electrical engineering technologies also pay well above the school average.
How much debt do Bismarck State College graduates have?
Graduates leave with a median debt of $11,533, which is manageable given the relatively low cost of attendance. This debt level is reasonable for most of the school's higher-paying technical programs.
What is the graduation rate at Bismarck State College?
Only 48% of students graduate from Bismarck State College. This low completion rate is a significant risk factor that prospective students should consider when evaluating the school's value.