Dickinson State University (DSU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Dickinson State University
Set on the doorstep of the Badlands, Dickinson State University blends a practical, teaching-first mindset with the wide-open feel of western North Dakota. It's known for a strong grounding in the liberal arts alongside business, education, health-related fields, agriculture, and the sciences. Students find attentive faculty, practical coursework, and accessible support like advising, tutoring, a writing center, counseling, and career services, plus classrooms, labs, performance spaces, and a library built for real study.
Campus life feels friendly and unpretentious, with clubs, student leadership, music and theater, intramurals, and a recreation center that naturally spills into trail time and park trips. The on-campus Theodore Roosevelt Center anchors lectures and public history experiences you can actually touch. Career prep leans hands-on too, with internships in local schools, healthcare, agriculture, small business, and regional energy, supported by faculty connections. Dickinson offers an easygoing downtown, volunteer options, and tight community ties, so students don't just study here, they get folded in.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Dickinson State University (DSU) offers 48 degree programs across 18 major academic fields, graduating approximately 391 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (13 programs, 159 graduates), Education (8 programs, 53 graduates), Kinesiology (4 programs, 37 graduates), Health (3 programs, 32 graduates) and Liberal Arts (1 programs, 20 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Business (13 programs, 159 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 61 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| Accounting | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0301 |
| Finance, General | 18 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0801 |
| Human Resources Management | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
52.1001 |
| Entrepreneurship Studies | 12 |
|
Master's
|
52.0701 |
| Business Administration | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0101 |
| Accounting and Bookkeeping Technology | 8 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0302 |
| Business Administration and Management | 5 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0299 |
| Administrative Assistant Science | 5 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0401 |
| Office Occupations and Clerical Services | 3 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0408 |
| Receptionist | 2 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0406 |
| Banking and Financial Services | 2 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0803 |
| Marketing | 2 |
|
Other Award
|
52.1499 |
Education (8 programs, 53 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary Education | 32 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1202 |
| Secondary Education and Teaching | 8 |
|
Master's
|
13.1205 |
| English Language Arts Teacher Education | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1305 |
| Social Science Teacher Education | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1317 |
| History Teacher Education | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1328 |
| Business and Innovation Entrepreneurship Teacher Education | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1303 |
| Music Teacher Education | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1312 |
| Physical Education Teaching and Coaching | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1314 |
Kinesiology (4 programs, 37 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0505 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education Fitness | 10 |
|
Residency
|
31.0599 |
| Sport and Fitness Management | 5 |
|
Master's
|
31.0504 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Fitness | 5 |
|
Residency
|
31.9999 |
Health (3 programs, 32 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.3801 |
| Licensed Practical Nursing | 14 |
|
Associate's
|
51.3901 |
| Health and Wellness | 2 |
|
Residency
|
51.0001 |
Liberal Arts (1 programs, 20 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | 20 |
|
Associate's
|
24.0101 |
Interdisciplinary (1 programs, 19 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi- and Interdisciplinary Studies | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.9999 |
Production (1 programs, 16 graduates)
Manufacturing Technology, Quality Control and Industrial Arts
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welding Technology | 16 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
48.0508 |
Psychology (1 programs, 10 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.0101 |
Agriculture (3 programs, 9 graduates)
Agricultural Sciences, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Supplies Retailing and Wholesaling | 7 |
|
Associate's
|
01.0105 |
| Farm and Ranch Management | 1 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
01.0104 |
| Equine Science and Management | 1 |
|
Other Award
|
01.0307 |
Biological Sciences (1 programs, 9 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0101 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Dickinson State University (DSU).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Dickinson State University (DSU)
How much does it cost to attend Dickinson State University (DSU)?
The annual tuition at Dickinson State University (DSU) is $9,118 for in-state students and $11,218 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $21,558 for in-state students and $23,658 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $7,740 and books and supplies $1,200.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Dickinson State University offer?
Dickinson State University (DSU) offers 48 academic programs across 18 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Associate's, Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Residency, Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (13 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (8 programs)
- Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation (4 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (3 programs)
- Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities (1 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Dickinson State University?
Dickinson State University (DSU) has an 60% acceptance rate and a 45.3% yield rate, making it selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 831
- Students admitted: 499
- Students enrolled: 226
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Dickinson State University?
Dickinson State University (DSU) provides financial aid to 16% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $4,875 and average loans of $6,684.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $4,542
- State/Local grants: $2,049
- Institutional grants: $3,248
- Federal loans: $4,871
The university supports 206 students with grants and 139 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Dickinson State University graduates?
Dickinson State University (DSU) graduates earn a median salary of $48,628 after 6 years and $50,720 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $31,837 (25th percentile) to $70,067 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $78,900 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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