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Bismarck State College

Bismarck State College

Bismarck, ND · City · 2,839 students
WebsiteScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$10,270
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
48%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
35% typical
$54,277
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$40,669 typical
Open admission
Acceptance rate
82% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

Designated as North Dakota’s Polytechnic Institution, Bismarck State College is renowned for its hands-on, career-aligned education, offering specialized programs in energy production, cybersecurity, lineworker training, and healthcare alongside flexible transfer degrees. The college stands out nationally for its National Energy Center of Excellence, which utilizes state-of-the-art simulation labs and robust online pathways to prepare students directly for critical infrastructure industries. Campus life combines a practical, workforce-focused environment with traditional student traditions, featuring competitive NJCAA athletics, active student organizations, and deep internship connections throughout the state capital.

Wikipedia:Bismarck State College (BSC) is a public college in Bismarck, North Dakota, United States. It is the third largest college in the North Dakota University System with 4,206 students enrolled for the 2024-2025 academic year. Established in 1939, it is a comprehensive community college that offers the first two years of education toward a bachelor's degree in most fields as well as 14+ bachelor's degrees and several undergraduate programs in conjunction with other university system institutions. In 2020, Bismarck State College became the first polytechnic college in North Dakota. Approximately 35 technical programs are offered and more than 150 courses are offered online. Unique to the institution are degrees in energy, including power and process plant technology, nuclear power technology, electric power technology, and renewable energy.

Location
Bismarck, ND, 58506-5587 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
MSP · Minneapolis
389 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$5,247$7,331
Housing & food (on campus)$8,273$8,273
Books & supplies$1,100$1,100
Cost of attendance$15,771$17,855 est.
Average net price$10,270Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$7,331
In-state: $5,247
Housing & food (on campus)$8,273
Books & supplies$1,100
Cost of attendance$17,855 est.
In-state: $15,771
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $10,270
est. = the in-state cost of attendance with out-of-state tuition swapped in; no out-of-state figure is published.
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$6,140
$30–48k
$5,828
$48–75k
$8,524
$75–110k
$12,160
$110k+
$13,979
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
48%
Entered 2017–18
Back for yr 2
77%
Transferred
15%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
57% graduated · 15% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 27% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$50,401
10 yrs after entry$54,277
Debt
Median at graduation$11,533
Monthly payment$122
Middle 50% owe$3.9k–$12k
90th percentile$18,911
Green marks a figure above the typical Baccalaureate/Associate's: 35% graduate within 6 yrs, $40,669 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions

No admissions data available for this college.

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Essay prompts

If Bismarck State College asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body
Gender
Men 55%Women 45%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
13 : 1
Pell grant
15%
First-gen
27%
Family income
$55,668
Independent
29%
Age at entry
23.0
Part-time
28%
Race & ethnicity
White
80%
Hispanic
4%
Black
4%
Asian
1%
Two or more
5%
Non-resident
1%
AI/AN
2%
Unknown
2%
Varsity sports
NJCAA Division I · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Other Sports
    Co-ed
  • Rodeo
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
  • Wrestling
    Men's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$50,401
After 10 yrs
$54,277
Business Administration, Management and Operations40
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management21
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$36M
Full-time faculty
92%
Faculty salary
$7,184/mo
Teaching spend
$8,671
per student
Federal loans
20%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate/Associate's
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

Wondering if Bismarck State College is the right fit for you?

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