Central ND News

Bismarck State College (BSC) has reported significant growth at the start of the 2025-26 academic year, with enrollment numbers and campus activity reaching new highs. The college saw a 9.26% increase in student headcount and a 10.29% rise in credit hours compared to last fall. Official enrollment figures will be submitted to the North Dakota University System on September 22, but current trends indicate that BSC will surpass its previous record of 4,445 students set last spring.

The expansion is visible across campus facilities. The opening of Health Science Hall has allowed BSC to accommodate more students than ever before, reaching a record on-campus housing figure of 530 residents.

Athletics have also seen notable developments. This semester marks BSC’s entry into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Frontier Conference, which places Mystics Athletics in competition with four-year colleges and universities. There are now 292 student-athletes participating in 17 athletic programs, including new teams for women’s wrestling and co-ed competitive dance.

Academically, BSC has responded to workforce demands by introducing 12 new programs for the current academic year. These include certificates in CPA Accounting and Education Foundations, associate degrees such as Electrician Technician and Integrated Behavioral Sciences, and several new Bachelor of Applied Science degrees in areas like Behavioral Health, Intelligent Machine Learning, and Organizational Management and Leadership. With these additions, BSC now offers 13 bachelor’s degree options focused on preparing students for careers needed in the region.

BSC Interim President Dan Leingang attributed this momentum to efforts aligning education with employment opportunities: “Our polytechnic approach, combined with new programs aligned to in-demand careers, helps students feel confident they will land good-paying jobs after graduation. Paired with affordable tuition, four-year athletics and flexible schedules, BSC is delivering the kind of education and experience students are seeking today.”

Campus infrastructure continues to evolve as well. Students are attending classes in the Advanced Technology Center for its first full year—a facility featuring high-tech labs and collaborative learning spaces designed for industry-relevant training. Construction is ongoing at the Bavendick Center athletic facility; it is expected to open by early spring and will host BSC’s 86th Commencement Ceremony in May.

Leingang described an upbeat atmosphere among students and staff: “We’ve noticed a significant increase in energy among our students, faculty and staff this fall. With record-high enrollment and housing, new career pathways, and new athletic opportunities, it’s an exciting time to be part of MysticNation.”