More than 580 students graduated from Bismarck State College after completing the Spring 2020 semester. The graduates were recognized at the college's 80th commencement ceremony on May 15, 2020.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the BSC 2020 Commencement ceremony was held virtually to confer 970+ degrees. Students who completed the coursework to earn degrees from BSC in Fall 2019 and Summer 2020 were also honored in the virtual ceremony that is available to view online. The BSC 2020 Commencement speaker was Miss America 2018 Cara Mund, a native of Bismarck, N.D.

BSC students finished their Spring 2020 semester online after BSC and other college campuses across the state and country closed in March because of COVID-19. During the Summer 2020 semester, students in various technical programs returned to campus under heightened health and safety protocols to complete hands-on labs and coursework to meet the requirements for graduation.