At $15,270/yr net price, Dickinson State University graduates earn $50,720/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $16,720/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $15,270 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $61,080 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $50,720/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$16,720/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 43.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,442 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,547/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,472/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,949/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,160/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,040/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $63,005 | $25,250 |
| Data Processing. | Bachelor | $45,696 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $42,682 | |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $42,682 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $42,123 | $20,856 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Bachelor | $41,789 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $40,621 | $15,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $38,597 | $19,000 |
| Agriculture, General. | Bachelor | $37,748 |
The Risk Factor
43.4% of students at Dickinson State University 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
Dickinson State University gives you a modest but real financial return. You pay about $15,270 a year and carry a median debt of $18,442 at graduation, which is low and sits well under what a single year of median earnings covers. The problem is finishing: only 43% of students graduate and 60% come back after year one, so the risk here is paying for credits without walking away with a degree.
Nursing is the clear payoff. It pays roughly $63,000 ten years out, about $20,000 more than teacher education or health and fitness, though it also carries the highest debt of any program listed at $25,250. Accounting lands you around $42,000 with lighter debt, making it a safer bet than teaching if earnings matter to you. Teacher education and health/physical education both sit near $42,700, which reflects North Dakota's education pay scale more than any weakness in the program. If you enroll here for anything outside nursing, expect earnings in the low $40,000s.
The net price tiers are unusual: families earning under $48,000 pay less (around $11,500) than families earning over $75,000, who pay roughly $17,000. So this school is a genuine value for lower-income families, and the gap between the top two income tiers is small. If your family earns above $75,000, you are paying close to full sticker with little discount.
This school fits you if you want nursing or accounting, live in the region, and can commit to finishing. Look elsewhere if you are drawn only to the education tracks and could earn a degree cheaper closer to home, or if the sub-50% graduation rate worries you about your own odds of completing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dickinson State University worth the cost?
Dickinson State University offers decent value with relatively low debt ($18,442 median) and affordable net costs ($15,270 annually). However, the 43% graduation rate is concerning, and 10-year earnings of $50,720 are modest compared to other four-year degrees.
What are the best paying majors at Dickinson State University?
Nursing programs at Dickinson State University provide the strongest ROI, with graduates earning around $63,000 annually. Data processing ($45,696) and education programs ($42,682) offer moderate returns but significantly less than nursing.
How much student debt do Dickinson State University graduates have?
Dickinson State University graduates have a median debt of $18,442, which is lower than the national average. The manageable debt load helps offset the relatively modest post-graduation earnings of $50,720.
What is the graduation rate at Dickinson State University?
Only 43% of students graduate from Dickinson State University, which is well below the national average for four-year institutions. This low completion rate represents a significant risk factor when considering the school's overall value.