Bismarck State College Photo #4

Bismarck State College

1500 Edwards Ave.
Bismarck, ND 58506
Top Ranked (2025): View Rankings
  • Bismarck State College (BSC), the third largest college in the North Dakota University System, is a comprehensive community college providing student-centered learning in these areas: transfer courses, technical programs, online classes and programs, corporate and continuing education, and workforce training. BSC is North Dakota's Polytechnic Institution offering 100+ career pathways leading to certificate, associate and bachelor of applied science degrees. The BSC National Energy Center of Excellence (NECE) is home to 12 nationally recognized energy industry degree and training programs and The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security has designated BSC as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE).

School Highlights

Bismarck State College serves 4,065 students (46% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 11:1 is lower than the state community college average of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the state average of 34%.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • Enrollment: 4,065 students
  • In-state tuition: $4,167
  • Out-state tuition: $6,251
  • Acceptance Rate: 92%
  • Student:teacher ratio: 11:1
  • Minority enrollment: 24%
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Bismarck State College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Dakota for:

Category
Attribute
Community Size

School Overview

The teacher population of 373 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Bismarck State College
(ND) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Baccalaureate/Associate's Colleges: Mixed Baccalaureate/Associate's
Institution Level
Less than 2 yrs
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
373 staff
99 staff
Number of Programs Offered
137
137
School Calendar

Student Body

The student population of Bismarck State College has grown by 8% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 11:1 has increased from 10:1 over five years.
The Bismarck State College diversity score of 0.41 is less than the state average of 0.54. The school's diversity has grown by 60% over five years.
Total Enrollment
4,065 students
1,081 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
11:1
14:1
# Full-Time Students
1,875 students
330 students
# Part-Time Students
2,190 students
751 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
265 students
248 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
4,065 students
330 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
12 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
1,761 students
751 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
10 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
438 students
259 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
1%
% Asian
1%
1%
% Hispanic
4%
4%
% Black
2%
4%
% White
76%
66%
% Hawaiian
n/a
4%
% Two or more races
4%
4%
% Non Resident races
1%
2%
% Unknown races
11%
14%
Diversity Score
0.41
0.54
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
32%
32%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
5.38%
55%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$45,500
$38,300

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $4,167 is less than the state average of $4,431. The in-state tuition has grown by 8% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $6,251 is less than the state average of $7,084. The out-state tuition has declined by 29% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$4,167
$4,431
Out-State Tuition Fees
$6,251
$7,084
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
69%
94%
Median Debt for Graduates
$11,141
$10,754
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,500
$5,500
Acceptance Rate
92%
92%
SAT Total Avg.
1,535
1,535
SAT Reading
520
520
SAT Math
545
545
SAT Writing
470
470
ACT Total Avg.
64
64
ACT Composite
19
19
ACT English
18
18
ACT Math
20
20
ACT Writing
7
7

Sports

Total Sports Offered
7 sports
Sports
Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Softball, Track and Field, Volleyball, Wrestling
Source: 2024 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators

School Notes

  • Bismarck State College (BSC), the third largest college in the North Dakota University System, is a comprehensive community college providing student-centered learning in these areas: transfer courses, technical programs, online classes and programs, corporate and continuing education, and workforce training.BSC is North Dakota's Polytechnic Institution offering 100+ career pathwaysleading tocertificate, associate and bachelor of applied science degrees. The BSC National Energy Center of Excellence (NECE) is home to 12 nationally recognized energy industry degree and training programs andThe National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security has designated BSC as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE).
Profile last updated: 08/13/2024

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Bismarck State College cost?
Bismarck State College's tuition is approximately $4,167 for In-State students and $6,251 for Out-State students.
What schools are Bismarck State College often compared to?
Bismarck State Collegeis often viewed alongside schools like Dakota College at Bottineau by visitors of our site.
What is the acceptance rate of Bismarck State College?
The acceptance rate of Bismarck State College is 92%, which is equal to the state average of 92%.
What sports does Bismarck State College offer?
Bismarck State College offers 7 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Softball, Track and Field, Volleyball and Wrestling.
What is Bismarck State College's ranking?
Bismarck State College ranks among the top 20% of community college in North Dakota for: Largest student body.

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Quick Stats (2025)

  • Enrollment: 4,065 students
  • In-state tuition: $4,167
  • Out-state tuition: $6,251
  • Acceptance Rate: 92%
  • Student:teacher ratio: 11:1
  • Minority enrollment: 24%
  • Source: Verified school update

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