Applicants, Acceptance Rate, Yield Trends at DSU

290.78%

Applicants - since 2015

-56.06%

Acceptance Rate

The average acceptance rate at DSU over the past 10 years is 81.65%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 37.02%. Compared to the previous year, it became much more competitive to gain admission to DSU in 2025.

The acceptance rate has decreased each year for the past 3 years, indicating increasing selectivity.

The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 52.80%, and the 2025 yield is 51.79%. Overall, the yield has decreased by 20.72% from 2015 to 2025.

The number of DSU applicants increased by 63.18% (525 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 290.78% overall.

Key Takeaways: DSU Admission Metrics

Acceptance Rate Overview

The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 37.02%, representing an increasingly selective admissions process. This indicates that DSU has become more competitive over the past decade, as the institution receives a growing number of applications while maintaining or reducing the number of admitted students.

Yield Rate & Enrollment Patterns

The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 51.79%. The declining yield trend suggests that a lower percentage of admitted students are choosing to enroll at DSU. This pattern may reflect increased competition from peer institutions, changing student demographics, or shifts in institutional enrollment strategy.

Application Volume & Admission Trends

For the 2025 admission cycle, DSU received approximately 1,356 applications, admitted 502 students, and enrolled 260 students. The rising application volume trend indicates that DSU is attracting an increasing number of prospective students over time. This growth in applications typically reflects enhanced institutional visibility, improved marketing initiatives, or increasing perceived value in the higher education market.

Acceptance Rate Changes

DSU 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at DSU over the past decade show a consistent pattern of increasing selectivity, with the acceptance rate declining year-over-year for 3 consecutive years. The average acceptance rate over this period is 81.65%, while the most recent rate stands at 37.02%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.

For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 37.02%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 80.25% and for women is 83.34%.

The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at DSU have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).

YearTotalMenWomen
2015-16 93.08% 91.14% 94.71%
2016-17 91.71%
-1.37%
92.86%
1.72%
90.56%
-4.15%
2017-18 98.97%
7.26%
98.56%
5.70%
99.44%
8.89%
2018-19 66.42%
-32.55%
64.98%
-33.58%
67.58%
-31.87%
2019-20 99.73%
33.32%
99.37%
34.39%
100.00%
32.42%
2020-21 98.62%
-1.12%
98.38%
-0.99%
98.84%
-1.16%
2021-22 98.91%
0.29%
99.14%
0.76%
100.00%
1.16%
2022-23 72.02%
-26.89%
71.99%
-27.15%
72.04%
-27.96%
2023-24 60.05%
-11.97%
56.40%
-15.59%
63.17%
-8.87%
2024-25 37.02%
-23.03%
29.67%
-26.73%
47.04%
-16.13%
Average 81.65% 80.25% 83.34%
Dickinson State University Acceptance Rate Trends Over Time - Historical Admission Rate Data Visualization Chart

Admission Yield (Enrollment Rate) Changes

DSU has demonstrated a decline in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has decreased from 65.33% in 2015 to 51.79% in 2025, representing a 20.72% decrease. The 10-year average yield stands at 52.80%, reflecting weakening enrollment performance.

The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at DSU from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has decreased by 20.72% over this period.

YearTotalMenWomen
2015-16 65.33% 61.81% 68.16%
2016-17 55.72%
-9.60%
56.80%
-5.00%
54.60%
-13.56%
2017-18 50.52%
-5.20%
47.80%
-9.00%
53.63%
-0.97%
2018-19 51.42%
0.90%
54.55%
6.74%
48.99%
-4.64%
2019-20 53.87%
2.45%
52.53%
-2.01%
54.84%
5.85%
2020-21 48.90%
-4.97%
47.74%
-4.80%
50.00%
-4.84%
2021-22 59.03%
10.13%
59.74%
12.00%
57.96%
7.96%
2022-23 46.10%
-12.94%
50.97%
-8.77%
41.42%
-16.55%
2023-24 45.29%
-0.80%
46.30%
-4.68%
44.52%
3.11%
2024-25 51.79%
6.50%
60.78%
14.48%
44.07%
-0.45%
Average 52.80% 53.90% 51.82%
Dickinson State University enrollment rate trends chart showing historical yield changes from 2015 to 2025

Applicants, Admitted, and Enrolled Headcount Changes

Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 588, the average number of admitted is 425, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 221.

The number of DSU applicants increased by 63.18% (525 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 290.78% overall.

The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at Dickinson State University from 2015 to 2025.

YearApplicantsAdmittedEnrolled
2015-16 347 323 211
2016-17 362
4.32%
332
2.79%
185
-12.32%
2017-18 388
7.18%
384
15.66%
194
4.86%
2018-19 530
36.60%
352
-8.33%
181
-6.70%
2019-20 376
-29.06%
375
6.53%
202
11.60%
2020-21 506
34.57%
499
33.07%
244
20.79%
2021-22 459
-9.29%
454
-9.02%
268
9.84%
2022-23 729
58.82%
525
15.64%
242
-9.70%
2023-24 831
13.99%
499
-4.95%
226
-6.61%
2024-25 1,356
63.18%
502
0.60%
260
15.04%
Average 588 425 221
Dickinson State University - 10 Year Applicants, Admissions, and Enrollment Trends Chart

Compare Acceptance Rate Change to Similar Colleges

The following table compares Dickinson State University' acceptance rate to similar schools.

20242025Change %
Dickinson State University60.05%37.02%-38.35%
University of North Dakota76.90%77.09%-0.25%
North Dakota State University-Main Campus94.96%95.81%-0.89%
Bismarck State College---
Minot State University64.62%72.21%-10.51%
Valley City State University99.07%69.31%42.94%

Ratings & Review

Share your experiences and thoughts about Dickinson State University. It will be a great help to applicants and prospective students!