Head-to-head · 2026
Bismarck State College vs Dakota College at Bottineau
Compare average net price ($10,270 at Bismarck State College; $10,039 at Dakota College at Bottineau), ROI score (13.21 vs 10.10), ten-year median earnings ($54,277 vs $40,576), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Bismarck State College; Open / not reported at Dakota College at Bottineau) using federal College Scorecard data. Dakota College at Bottineau has a narrow 3-2 metric-level edge. Bismarck State College leads on ROI, but the cost and earnings signals are split enough that this is not a one-metric decision.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
9 metrics, side by side. A colored cell marks a metric-level advantage. Green = lower-is-better, violet = higher-is-better.
| Metric | Bismarck State College | Dakota College at Bottineau |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 13.21 ✓ | 10.10 |
| Avg net price | $10,270 | $10,039 ✓ |
| Median earnings (10y) | $54,277 ✓ | $40,576 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 47.2% | 48% ✓ |
| Median debt | $11,533 | $10,507 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,839 | 399 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 2 | 3 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Bismarck State College costs $231 more per year than Dakota College at Bottineau ($10,270 vs $10,039). Bismarck State College graduates report $13,701 higher median earnings after ten years ($54,277 vs $40,576). On EduGradify's model that puts Bismarck State College ahead on projected ROI (13.21 vs 10.10, exceptional investment).
The pricier option (Bismarck State College) still wins on return, because stronger graduate salaries outweigh its higher net price. On admissions, neither school reports a standard acceptance rate in the current federal data, so this matchup should lean on price, outcomes and fit instead.
Frequently asked
Bismarck State College vs Dakota College at Bottineau, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Bismarck State College or Dakota College at Bottineau the better value?
Bismarck State College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (13.21 vs 10.10), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Dakota College at Bottineau is cheaper — average net price $10,039 per year vs $10,270 at Bismarck State College. The annual difference of $231 adds up to about $924 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Bismarck State College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $54,277 vs $40,576 at Dakota College at Bottineau. The annual gap in the federal data is $13,701.
What should I compare beyond ROI?
Use the ROI score as a value screen, then compare aid letters, program fit, graduation rate, location, campus size, and debt. Bismarck State College reports a A value grade; Dakota College at Bottineau reports B.