Head-to-head comparison
Dickinson State University vs Lake Region State College: which has better ROI?
Option A Dickinson, ND
Dickinson State University
- Net price / year
- $14,092
- Earnings, 10 years
- $50,720
- Payback
- 23.9 yrs
Option B Devils Lake, ND
Lake Region State College
- Net price / year
- $13,577
- Earnings, 10 years
- $49,502
- Payback
- 23.8 yrs
Lake Region State College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $27,154 in 23.8 years versus 23.9 years at Dickinson State University, on median earnings of $49,502 vs $50,720 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Dickinson State University | Lake Region State College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,092 | $13,577 |
| Total net cost | $56,368 | $27,154 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,720 | $49,502 |
| Median debt | $18,442 | $10,293 |
| Payback | 23.9 yrs | 23.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$9,168 | -$4,314 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Dickinson State University or Lake Region State College?
Lake Region State College, at $13,577 a year after aid versus $14,092 — a gap of $515 a year, or $29,214 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Dickinson State University or Lake Region State College graduates earn more?
Dickinson State University graduates report a median $50,720 ten years after entry, $1,218 more than the $49,502 at Lake Region State College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Dickinson State University or Lake Region State College?
Lake Region State College: its completers carry a median $10,293 in federal loans versus $18,442 at Dickinson State University, a difference of $8,149. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
52% of students finish at Lake Region State College, against 51% at Dickinson State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.