Information Science/Studies at Dickinson State University

Peer programs in Information Science nationally suggest starting earnings around $58,651, which falls short of North Dakota's typical outcomes for this field—the state median sits at $64,329, nearly $6,000 higher. While the estimated debt load of $25,000 produces a manageable 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio, it's worth noting that North Dakota's other Information Science programs typically see graduates carrying less debt (around $22,600) while earning more. This gap matters in a state where tech sector wages tend to run above the national average.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With too few graduates to generate actual outcome data, you're essentially betting on what comparable programs elsewhere have delivered, not what Dickinson State's specific curriculum, career services, and employer connections can produce. The 60% admission rate and relatively low Pell grant enrollment (22%) suggest a traditional student body, but without program-specific data, you can't verify whether those students are landing the higher-paying jobs that North Dakota's tech economy offers.

Given the estimates put this program below state norms while debt tracks near the national median, the value proposition remains unclear. If your student has other options in North Dakota with actual outcome data—or can access Information Science programs with demonstrated placement records—those would offer more transparency about what you're paying for.