Career Training Path › North Dakota › Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College
Bismarck, North Dakota · Public college · Training programs available:
Address: 1500 Edwards Ave., Bismarck, ND 58506 · Phone: (701) 224-5400 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Bismarck State College is a public trade and career school in Bismarck, ND offering lineman, LPN, and EMT training, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Bismarck State College graduates carry a median debt of $11,533 and earn a median of $54,277 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard; the campus completion rate versus the state average of 63.5% is not reported.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Bismarck State College; the school accepts federal financial aid including FAFSA and Pell Grants, with 14.6% of students receiving Pell.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical power-line installers and repairers | $61,020 | $105,870 | $114,820 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $50,950 | $62,300 | $65,020 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $31,890 | $39,670 | $50,870 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $37,610 | $57,360 | $63,560 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $46,660 | $62,000 | $72,560 |
| Construction laborers | $38,990 | $49,070 | $60,680 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $46,610 | $74,490 | $78,920 |
| Surgical technologists | $50,440 | $61,640 | $62,730 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $60,600 | $67,790 | $80,970 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in North Dakota (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 41 | $54,093 | $48,600 | $5,500 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 38 | not reported | not reported | $10,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, under 300 hours | 18 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 17 | $39,613 | $36,848 | $5,775 |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 1–2 years | 16 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 16 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 11 | not reported | $49,937 | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Associate degree | 11 | $55,659 | $53,358 | $7,153 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 9 | $39,613 | $36,848 | $5,775 |
| Carpenters | Associate degree | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 7 | not reported | $49,937 | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Associate degree | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | $49,937 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 2–4 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Bismarck State College is a public college in Bismarck, North Dakota, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Because it participates in Title IV federal financial aid, students can use FAFSA-based aid, including Pell Grants, to help pay for programs here. Among its 19 trade and career program families, the campus awards the most credentials in lineman schools, LPN/LVN programs, and EMT & paramedic training, alongside offerings in welding, HVAC, auto mechanics, construction trades, surgical technology, and radiology technology.
Federal data shows 236 trade program completers out of an undergraduate enrollment of 2,839. The state average completion rate is 63.5%, but this campus's own completion rate and how it compares to that average are not reported for this campus in federal data. Graduates carry a median debt of $11,533, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $54,277. About 14.6% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
This mix of short, career-focused programs like lineman training and EMT certification alongside longer allied-health tracks such as LPN preparation suggests a campus set up to serve both recent high school graduates and adult career-changers seeking a faster path into skilled trades or healthcare support roles, though specific program lengths and scheduling are not detailed in this data. Prospective students should confirm accreditation status directly with the Higher Learning Commission and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, and review the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for the most current outcome figures before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Bismarck State College offers 19 trade and career program families, with the most completers in lineman schools, LPN/LVN programs, and EMT & paramedic training. It also offers welding, HVAC, auto mechanics, construction trades, surgical technology, and radiology technology programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited, per its listed status. It holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, meaning FAFSA-based aid and Pell Grants can be used here.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
This campus's completion rate is not reported in federal data. The state average completion rate is 63.5%, but a direct comparison for this campus is not reported.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates of this school carry a median debt of $11,533, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings for graduates 10 years after entry are $54,277, per federal data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school at (701) 224-5400 or visit https://bismarckstate.edu/ for current tuition details.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Bismarck State College is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition for state residents and public accountability standards. This can affect cost and financial aid eligibility compared to private institutions.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in this data. Contact the school directly at (701) 224-5400 or via https://bismarckstate.edu/ to confirm program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Federal outcome data can be checked directly at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?200022.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers both shorter career-focused programs, such as lineman and EMT training, and longer allied-health tracks like LPN preparation, which may suit adults seeking varied timelines. However, specific scheduling and format details for career-changers are not reported in this data.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing or certification requirements are not detailed in this data. Contact the school directly at (701) 224-5400 or https://bismarckstate.edu/ for program-specific licensure information.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Bismarck State College at (701) 224-5400 or through its website at https://bismarckstate.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not reported in this data. Check the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?200022 for outcome data on similar programs elsewhere.
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Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.