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Bemidji State University

Bemidji, Minnesota 56601

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

College townGreek life

Known for business — excellent value

Bemidji State University is a public institution in Bemidji with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1090, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 3.1K undergraduates with a 16:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

53% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $53,755 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $17,050.

Established
1919
Mascot
Bucky the Beaver
Type
Public university
Division
Division II

Campus Visits

76 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Visit

Plan Your Visit

71%Acceptance
1090SAT Avg
3,120Students
16:1Student:Faculty
53%Grad Rate
$53,755Earnings 10yr
$17,050Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate70.7%

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 22
1823

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$10,164
Tuition (out-of-state)$10,164
Room & Board$10,041
Books & Supplies$890
Total Cost of Attendance$23,066
Average Net Price$17,050
Median Debt at Graduation$19,750
Monthly Payment (10yr)$209

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$10,918
$30–48K$11,000
$48–75K$13,262
$75–110K$18,000
$110K+$21,518

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

55.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

2.8%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$13,809

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

20

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

4

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

2

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

6

Drug Arrests

5

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (65)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

78%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
3,120
Gender Split
59% / 41%
Women / Men
First Generation
27%
Pell Grant Recipients
26%

Race & Ethnicity

White 78%
Black 3%
Hispanic 4%
Asian 2%
Two+ 6%
Int'l 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate53.4%
Freshman Retention78.2%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$47,469
10 Years$53,755

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#92
vs 2024
Forbes
#60
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#455
vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • History Deputy Hall in 1919, Bemidji State University BSU was founded in 1919 and opened under the name "Bemidji State Normal School".
  • The first president, Manfred Deputy, was appointed to run the new institution, and the first class consisted of 38 students.
  • The name was changed to "Bemidji State Teachers College" in 1921, then shortened to "Bemidji State College" in 1957.
  • In 1975, it took its current name, Bemidji State University.
  • Presidents Faith Hensrud was named Bemidji State University's eleventh president on April 20, 2016, and took office on July 1, 2016.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

97Average

Estimated from MN state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Minneapolispop. 430K
189 mi(328 min)
Milwaukeepop. 570K
457 mi(792 min)
Chicagopop. 2.7M
525 mi(910 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MSP Minneapolis-St Paul196 mi
MKE Milwaukee462 mi
ORD Chicago O'Hare511 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1212 mi · ~35h 1m drive
New York, NY1132 mi · ~32h 42m drive
Hartford, CT1156 mi · ~33h 24m drive
Providence, RI1212 mi · ~35h 1m drive
Albany, NY1079 mi · ~31h 10m drive
Syracuse, NY958 mi · ~27h 41m drive
Rochester, NY888 mi · ~25h 39m drive
Buffalo, NY839 mi · ~24h 14m drive
Philadelphia, PA1109 mi · ~32h 2m drive
Pittsburgh, PA883 mi · ~25h 31m drive
Harrisburg, PA1022 mi · ~29h 31m drive
Newark, NJ1123 mi · ~32h 27m drive
Washington, DC1072 mi · ~30h 58m drive
Baltimore, MD1074 mi · ~31h 2m drive
Atlanta, GA1094 mi · ~31h 36m drive
Charlotte, NC1113 mi · ~32h 9m drive
Raleigh, NC1160 mi · ~33h 31m drive
Miami, FL1701 mi · ~49h 8m drive
Orlando, FL1496 mi · ~43h 13m drive
Tampa, FL1506 mi · ~43h 30m drive
Nashville, TN885 mi · ~25h 34m drive
New Orleans, LA1238 mi · ~35h 46m drive
Richmond, VA1118 mi · ~32h 18m drive
Chicago, IL525 mi · ~15h 10m drive
Detroit, MI678 mi · ~19h 35m drive
Minneapolis, MN189 mi · ~5h 28m drive
St. Louis, MO655 mi · ~18h 55m drive
Kansas City, MO579 mi · ~16h 44m drive
Indianapolis, IN688 mi · ~19h 53m drive
Columbus, OH787 mi · ~22h 44m drive
Cleveland, OH768 mi · ~22h 11m drive
Milwaukee, WI457 mi · ~13h 12m drive
Dallas, TX1021 mi · ~29h 30m drive
Houston, TX1225 mi · ~35h 23m drive
Austin, TX1199 mi · ~34h 38m drive
San Antonio, TX1263 mi · ~36h 29m drive
Los Angeles, CA1525 mi · ~44h 3m drive
San Francisco, CA1542 mi · ~44h 33m drive
San Diego, CA1548 mi · ~44h 43m drive
Seattle, WA1274 mi · ~36h 48m drive
Portland, OR1322 mi · ~38h 11m drive
Denver, CO735 mi · ~21h 14m drive
Phoenix, AZ1320 mi · ~38h 8m drive
Salt Lake City, UT960 mi · ~27h 44m drive
Honolulu, HI3895 mi · ~112h 31m drive
Northern (cold winters, cool summers)

Visit Planning

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Bemidji State University Application Checklist

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