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Is Bismarck State College worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for Bismarck State, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Stretch
Bismarck State sits in the stretch band for a typical family. The long-run earnings picture at $54,277 helps, but median debt of $11,533 plus yearly net price of $10,270 creates a tighter path. For context, Bismarck State's net price is about 18% below the typical 4-year, public school. It can work, but the financing plan has to be deliberate.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 774 similar 4-year, public schools
This school
$10,792
/yrAverage school like this
$13,155
/yrThis helps your Worth-It Score
You'd pay about $2,363 less per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $9,000 in savings.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$10,270
Median earnings 10 years out
$54,277
Median debt at graduation
$11,533
Graduation rate
48%
At Bismarck State, a typical graduate carries about $11,533 in student debt and earns roughly $54,277 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $131 per month, or 3% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
Bismarck State is a two year school in Bismarck, ND. For many families, the real question is not just sticker price but what this path unlocks next, whether that is direct employment, transfer, or a lower cost route into a four year degree.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
2-year
Dakota College at Bottineau
Bottineau, ND
Worth-It Score: 65/100
Median net price: $10,039
2-year
North Dakota State College of Science
Wahpeton, ND
Worth-It Score: 66/100
Median net price: $11,261
2-year
Lake Region State
Devils Lake, ND
Worth-It Score: 66/100
Median net price: $13,577
2-year
Josef's School of Hair Skin & Body-Grand Forks
Grand Forks, ND
Worth-It Score: 77/100
Median net price: $13,657
2-year
The Hair Academy
Bismarck, ND
Worth-It Score: 78/100
Median net price: $14,950
Common questions about Bismarck State
The median net price at Bismarck State is $10,270 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at public universities options in North Dakota? See the most affordable public universities in North Dakota →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →