Bismarck State College is a public 2-year college in Bismarck, North Dakota with 2,839 undergraduates. It has open admission, costs an average of $9,531 a year after grants and graduates 44% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
Bismarck State College acceptance rate and admissions
Bismarck State College has open admission: it admits students with a high school diploma or equivalent. Some programs, such as nursing or other health fields, can have their own entry requirements.
Bismarck State College tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees, in-state (2025-26) | $6,037 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, out-of-state (2025-26) | $8,246 |
| On-campus housing and food (2025-26) | $8,770 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $16,017 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $9,531 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $9,531 a year after grants and scholarships, $6,486 less than the full cost of attendance. This figure covers in-state students.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students paying in-state tuition, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run Bismarck State College's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
Bismarck State College graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 44% of first-time, full-time students finished within three years (students who started in 2022).
- Former students earned a median of $57,900 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $11,000 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 19% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
Bismarck State College majors and what graduates earn
Bismarck State College awarded bachelor's degrees in 3 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from business administration ($122,948).
All 3 majors at Bismarck State College
| Major | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business administration | 51 | $113,408 | $122,948 | $14,482 |
| IT and network administration | 12 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Finance | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Trade and career programs at Bismarck State College
Certificate and associate programs in the trades we track. One-year earnings are for graduates of 2020-21 and 2021-22, four-year earnings for graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, both in 2024 dollars.
| Program | Credential | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LPN and CNA | Certificate | 45 | $69,228 | $65,425 | $11,500 |
| Electrician | Certificate | 33 | $69,717 | $68,875 | $6,350 |
| Auto and diesel mechanic | Certificate | 18 | $49,503 | $62,014 | n/a |
| Welding | Certificate | 18 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| EMT, surgical tech and imaging | Certificate | 14 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| EMT, surgical tech and imaging | Associate degree | 14 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Carpentry | Certificate | 13 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| HVAC | Certificate | 13 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Phlebotomy and medical lab | Associate degree | 13 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Electrician | Associate degree | 8 | n/a | $101,828 | n/a |
| Welding | Associate degree | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| HVAC | Associate degree | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Heavy equipment mechanic | Certificate | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Heavy equipment mechanic | Associate degree | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Auto and diesel mechanic | Associate degree | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Paralegal | Associate degree | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Carpentry | Associate degree | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Medical billing and coding | Associate degree | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Students and location
- 2,839 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 45% women, 55% men
- 13 students for every faculty member
- Setting: small city
- Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
Frequently asked questions
Is it hard to get into Bismarck State College?
No. Bismarck State College has open admission for students with a high school diploma or equivalent. Some programs may have extra requirements.
How much does Bismarck State College cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $6,037 for in-state students and $8,246 for out-of-state students. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $9,531 a year in 2024-25.
What is the graduation rate at Bismarck State College?
44% of first-time, full-time students finished within three years.
How much do Bismarck State College graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $57,900 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
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More: all colleges in North Dakota · Bismarck State College on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.