Head-to-head · 2026
Dakota College at Bottineau vs Lake Region State College
Compare average net price ($10,039 at Dakota College at Bottineau; $13,577 at Lake Region State College), ROI score (10.10 vs 9.12), ten-year median earnings ($40,576 vs $49,502), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Dakota College at Bottineau; Open / not reported at Lake Region State College) using federal College Scorecard data. Lake Region State College has a narrow 3-2 metric-level edge. Dakota College at Bottineau 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 | Dakota College at Bottineau | Lake Region State College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 10.10 ✓ | 9.12 |
| Avg net price | $10,039 ✓ | $13,577 |
| Median earnings (10y) | $40,576 | $49,502 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 48% | 52.4% ✓ |
| Median debt | $10,507 | $10,293 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 399 | 611 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 2 | 3 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Lake Region State College costs $3,538 more per year than Dakota College at Bottineau ($13,577 vs $10,039). Lake Region State College graduates report $8,926 higher median earnings after ten years ($49,502 vs $40,576). On EduGradify's model that puts Dakota College at Bottineau ahead on projected ROI (10.10 vs 9.12, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Dakota College at Bottineau) also posts the better return, making it the lower-risk pick on cost alone. 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
Dakota College at Bottineau vs Lake Region State College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Dakota College at Bottineau or Lake Region State College the better value?
Dakota College at Bottineau has the higher EduGradify ROI score (10.10 vs 9.12), 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 $13,577 at Lake Region State College. The annual difference of $3,538 adds up to about $14,152 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Lake Region State College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $49,502 vs $40,576 at Dakota College at Bottineau. The annual gap in the federal data is $8,926.
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. Dakota College at Bottineau reports a B value grade; Lake Region State College reports B.