Dickinson State University

What Dickinson State University does

Dickinson State University (DSU) is a small, public comprehensive university founded in 1918 in Dickinson, North Dakota, operating as part of the North Dakota University System (NDUS). It delivers undergraduate and graduate programs through academic schools including the School of Applied Sciences, School of Business and Entrepreneurship, School of Education, and a planned School of Health Sciences (following the August 2025 dissolution of the School of Professional Studies). Programs include ACEN-accredited nursing (AASPN, BSN, and a relaunched LPN track for Spring 2026), CAEP-accredited teacher education, IACBE-member business programs, Fire Science, computer science and 20+ new technology offerings, agriculture, and the Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program.

The university operates on a tuition/appropriation/donation revenue model, with annual tuition charges differentiated by residency status, recurring North Dakota state appropriations, federally and institutionally administered scholarships and financial aid, and DSU Heritage Foundation fundraising. Pricing tactics include a four-year tuition freeze, the stackable Presidential Scholarship (up to $1,600/year for qualifying students with 3.25+ HS GPA), and the Blue Hawk Promise Scholarship (full tuition waiver for Pell-eligible ND/MN/MT/SD residents enrolling full-time).

Technology and delivery are built on commodity higher-ed platforms: Blackboard LMS for online instruction, Campus Connection SIS for registration and records, Starfish for student-success alerting, Anthology for teacher-education portfolios, and Google Analytics/Snapengage for web analytics. Differentiated facilities include the Glenice and Dale Hansen Simulation Center and a Virtual Cadaver Lab for health-sciences training. The go-to-market is sales-led, recruiting from high schools, community colleges, and non-traditional adult learners across the western Dakotas region through admissions counselors, campus visits, digital marketing, and community partnerships.

Name

Dickinson State University

Legal name

Dickinson State University

Website

https://dickinsonstate.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1918

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Dickinson State University is a public comprehensive university in Dickinson, North Dakota (founded 1918, NDUS system), offering accredited undergraduate and graduate programs in nursing, education, business, and applied sciences across multiple academic schools, with a tuition-freeze pricing model and a regional workforce-development mission in the western Dakotas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Undergraduate Teacher Education Colleges (EDAHAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Schools of Nursing (EDAHAGAC), Junior Colleges (Associate-Degree Granting) (EDAHADAC), Online Teacher Education Universities (Licensure & M.Ed.) (EDAHALAG)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Undergraduate degrees
• Graduate programs
• Teacher education
• Nursing education

Headquarters

HQ city

Dickinson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: DSU generates revenue through tuition charges for undergraduate and graduate programs, with tuition rates based on residency status and credit hour enrollment
2. State Funding and Appropriations: As a public university, DSU receives state funding from North Dakota as part of the North Dakota University System
3. Scholarships and Financial Aid: University administers federal grants, state grants, institutional scholarships, and third-party scholarships to support student enrollment
4. Donations and Foundation Support: DSU Heritage Foundation raises funds for academic scholarships and institutional support through annual campaigns

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Dickinson State University is a public comprehensive university that delivers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, certificates, and workforce training through on-campus instruction and online/distance learning. Its portfolio spans four academic schools offering programs in education, business, applied sciences, nursing, fire science, agriculture, computer science, and esports, plus continuing education and the Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program.

Product overview

Dickinson State University is a public higher education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of academic programs through four academic schools: School of Applied Sciences, School of Business and Entrepreneurship, School of Education, and Graduate Studies. The university provides undergraduate and graduate degrees across disciplines including business, education, nursing, applied sciences, and professional studies. Key programs include the CAEP-accredited Teacher Education Program, IACBE-accredited Business School, ACEN-accredited Nursing Programs, and the Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program. DSU also offers workforce development through Dual Mission Career Training, online/distance learning options, and co-curricular programs including esports and the annual Red Paperclip Challenge business ethics project.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program: Honors leadership program named after Theodore Roosevelt, featuring distinctive programming for student leaders.
• Teacher Education Program
• Blue Hawk Promise Scholarship
• Dual Mission Career Training

Products and services

• School of Applied Sciences (SAS) Academic school at DSU offering undergraduate programs in computer science, biology, chemistry, environmental science, nursing, and agriculture. Includes the Fire Science program following the 2025 restructuring.
• School of Business and Entrepreneurship (SoBE) Business school offering IACBE-accredited degrees in accounting, administration, economics, esports, finance, human resources, business education, and graduate programs including MBA and entrepreneurship.
• School of Education (SoE) CAEP-accredited teacher education school offering elementary and secondary education degrees. After 2025 restructuring, also houses Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Science, criminal justice, and psychology programs.
• Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program Honors program focused on leadership development, named after President Theodore Roosevelt. Students engage in service learning, community events, and leadership activities.
• Graduate Studies Graduate-level programs including master's degrees in teaching, elementary education, educational leadership, business administration, entrepreneurship, sport administration, and nursing.
• Teacher Education Program CAEP-accredited educator preparation program offering undergraduate and graduate courses in elementary and secondary education, featuring experiential learning through field experiences, performance-based assessment, and portfolio review.
• Nursing Programs (AASPN, BSN) ACEN-accredited nursing programs approved by the North Dakota Board of Nursing, including Associate and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees. Includes a relaunched LPN program for Spring 2026.
• Fire Science Program Workforce-aligned fire science program developed in partnership with the Dickinson Fire Department for southwest North Dakota regional workforce needs.
• Virtual Cadaver Lab State-of-the-art virtual cadaver lab for health science students featuring advanced equipment and robotics for hands-on anatomical training.
• Online and Distance Learning Flexible online/distance programs delivered through Blackboard LMS, including professional development and continuing education courses for students unable to attend on-campus.
• Esports Program Competitive collegiate esports program offering scholarship opportunities and student engagement activities including the annual Level Me Up conference for high school gamers.
• Blue Hawk Promise Scholarship Tuition waiver scholarship waiving tuition costs for Pell-eligible students who are ND, MN, MT, or SD residents enrolling full-time.
• Presidential Scholarship Annual $1,600 scholarship for high-achieving students with 3.25+ HS GPA or 3.0+ college GPA, or ACT 22+/SAT 1100+. Stackable with other aid.
• Red Paperclip Challenge Annual business ethics project where students trade a red paperclip for items of increasing value, learning communication, bartering, and goal-setting skills.

Quantifiable outcome

• 0% student loan default rate (FY2022)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• North Dakota State University (NDSU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2026DSU and NDSU signed a partnership agreement to expand advanced practice nursing education and address workforce gaps in healthcare across North Dakota. This collaboration enables DSU nursing graduates to pursue advanced practice nursing degrees at NDSU.
• Smithsonian National ZoominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026DSU partnered with the Smithsonian National Zoo on historic trail research, providing students with unique research opportunities in wildlife conservation.
• Dickinson Fire Department and Stark County Emergency ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 March 2025DSU partnered with the Dickinson Fire Department and Stark County Emergency Management for a joint training exercise, enhancing emergency services training for students.
• Baker Boy, Inc.flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 April 2024Baker Boy, Inc. sponsored the inaugural Leadership Rising conference organized by DSU's School of Business and Entrepreneurship. Guy Moos, CEO of Baker Boy, participated as a speaker and supporter. Baker Boy also established the Baker Boy Professor of Leadership position at DSU.
• Theodore Roosevelt CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSU hosts the Theodore Roosevelt Center, a digital archive dedicated to preserving and sharing the legacy of President Theodore Roosevelt. The university's Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program is named in this honor.
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)coreOthersDSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. HLC conducted a peer review team visit in May 2025 and reaffirmed DSU's accreditation in February 2026.
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)coreOthersDSU's School of Education holds national accreditation through CAEP, ensuring quality preparation for future educators.
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)coreOthersDSU's nursing programs hold accreditation through ACEN, enabling graduates to sit for the NCLEX examination and pursue advanced nursing education.
• International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)coreOthersDSU's School of Business and Entrepreneurship is an educational member of IACBE, demonstrating commitment to quality business education.
• North Dakota Department of Public InstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSU received a grant from the ND Department of Public Instruction to create the Para-to-Teacher Scholarship, helping paraprofessionals in North Dakota schools obtain teaching licenses.
• North Dakota Economic Diversification Research GrantminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSU was approved for an Economic Diversification Research Grant program to support the Celebration of Scholars event and provide students with research tools in healthcare and agriculture industries.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Regional players

• Black Hills State University: Small public university in neighboring South Dakota with comparable enrollment scale, rural service mission, and similar program mix (education, business, applied sciences). Comparable peer in adjacent geography serving similar demographics.
• Montana State University Billings: Small public university in Montana with comparable size, regional service focus, and program portfolio. Comparable peer in adjacent geography competing for similar rural and place-bound students in the northern Great Plains.
• Chadron State College: Nebraska small public college with comparable enrollment scale, rural service mission, and teacher education emphasis. Comparable peer across state borders serving similar rural Great Plains demographics and workforce needs.

Direct peers

• Valley City State University: NDUS peer institution of similar small scale with comparable teacher education programs and online learning focus. Operates in the same statewide system with similar funding model and regional service orientation.
• Minot State University: Another small public university within the North Dakota University System serving a similar regional/rural student population. Most directly comparable NDUS peer in terms of size, mission, and tuition structure.
• Mayville State University: Small NDUS public university with comparable enrollment scale, online programs, and rural North Dakota service region. Direct NDUS peer with overlapping program offerings and student demographics.
• Dakota College at Bottineau: NDUS two-year college offering associate degrees and certificates in rural North Dakota. Comparable in scale, mission, and rural service focus; both institutions compete for similar non-traditional and place-bound learners.
• Lake Region State College: NDUS two-year institution offering associate degrees, including nursing, in rural North Dakota. Comparable to DSU's associate-degree programs and serves overlapping regional workforce development needs.

Broad incumbents

• University of North Dakota: Larger NDUS flagship institution with broader program portfolio and stronger research brand. Competes for the same North Dakota students seeking nursing, education, and business degrees but offers greater program breadth and selectivity.
• North Dakota State University: Larger NDUS peer and strategic partner. Competes for traditional and graduate students statewide, but also collaborates with DSU via the advanced practice nursing pathway — both a competitor and partner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dickinsonstate
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/dickinsonstateu
• Facebookfacebook.com/dickinsonstate
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/dickinson-state-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/dickinsonstate
• TikToktiktok.com/@dickinsonstate

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dickinson State University