Skip to main content

Study shows BSC as college of choice in central North Dakota | Bismarck State College

to the top of the page
Home Page

Study shows BSC as college of choice in central North Dakota

Published: Feb 13 2019
Study shows BSC as college of choice in central North Dakota - Photo
In a national report regarding 2017 high school graduates in central North Dakota recently released, Bismarck State College (BSC) ranks as the graduates’ first choice for a college. This is true both for all students and for students who are the first generation in their families to pursue a college education. The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and ACT, Inc., conducted the study. ACT, Inc., is the organization that conducts standardized testing for all North Dakota high school students.

Because BSC has more first-time freshmen from North Dakota enrolled than any other institution in the state this fall, college administrators expect to see the same results from the AACC/ACT 2018 study. BSC had 806 first-time freshmen from North Dakota in the fall of 2018 -- 93.3% of the 2018 first-time freshmen class. The total freshmen class of 2018 numbered 1,995.

“To be both the top choice for high school graduates in our region and an affordable entry point to education for underrepresented students is a testament to our community college spirit,” says BSC President Larry C. Skogen. “Many students start here and transfer on. Others earn a technical degree and land a great job in healthcare, cybersecurity, energy or manufacturing. We are an outstanding choice; and the AACC/ACT report demonstrates that.”

BSC Dean of Enrollment Management Karen Erickson highlights the large campus amenities married to small school connections. “Whenever we can get potential students to campus, they really get it. They see that the campus is beautiful, find that the faculty are focused on them, and discover how affordable we are. We are really proud of our ability to offer a path to higher education to everyone who comes through our doors.”

BSC is the third largest college in the North Dakota University System with 3,778 students. In 2018 the college began pursuing a new mission as a polytechnic institution offering four-year technical degrees in addition to two-year transfer and technical degrees. Technical focus areas include energy, cybersecurity and healthcare.