Public
Accredited · Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Glendive, Montana
Dawson Community College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
2.99Avg GPA
$15,311Annual Cost
$41,951Grad Salary
26.8%Pell Grant
Avg GPA
2.99
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$10,094
Need-Based Aid
26.8% receive Pell
Dawson Community College is a public institution in Montana that offers a broad range of associate degrees, transfer pathways, and vocational programs. The college is known for its small-campus environment, where faculty prioritize personalized mentorship and student success. It provides an affordable and accessible path to higher education, helping students build the academic and professional foundations necessary for success in their local economy or at four-year universities. Its focus on community engagement and student-centered support makes it a reliable choice for residents across the region.
Dawson Community College Acceptance Rate
Admission at Dawson Community College is inclusive by design: 100% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier — a solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.99 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.79 – 2.98
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.54
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Dawson Community College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Dawson Community College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
DCC reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
DCC GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at DCC is 2.99. That makes admissions here moderately selective. Most admitted students carry a blend of A's, B's, and the occasional C.
A stronger SAT or ACT score can comfortably offset a GPA on the lower end of this range.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.19–3.39.DCC GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context — leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
This range is a rough map — where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.99 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.79 – 2.98
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.59 – 2.78
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.58
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Open admissions policy; founded 1940; approximately 400 students enrolled; 350-acre rural campus; NWCCU accredited, part of the Montana University System
- Adopt-A-Buc program matches incoming students with local Glendive families for acclimation support; Buccaneer Excellence Program offers eight distinct named scholarship opportunities
- Athletics span NJCAA/Mon-Dak Conference (baseball, basketball, softball, volleyball) plus separate NIRA rodeo competition - rodeo eligibility runs on a distinct athletic association calendar
- Specific dated immunization requirement (MMR proof required for anyone born after Dec. 31, 1956); student housing is 36 two-bedroom apartments housing up to six students each, with rent/utilities/meal plan bundled into room and board
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself — a 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average — the trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at DCC
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Dawson Community College's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Dawson Community College (DCC) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at DCC — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into DCC Without SAT or ACT?
DCC's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for DCC
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into DCC is the easy part — what matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Use the Adopt-A-Buc Program If You're Coming From Out of State or a Different Cultural Background
DCC runs a specific matching program called Adopt-A-Buc that pairs incoming students with local Glendive families to help them acclimate to the town, adjust to college life, and build local connections - a structural onboarding feature not common at peer-sized rural community colleges. If you're relocating to Glendive from farther away, or if you're an international or out-of-state student without local ties, ask specifically about Adopt-A-Buc enrollment during your admissions process, since this is described as a distinct, named program rather than generic "student support services."
Rodeo Athletes: Confirm NIRA Eligibility Separately From Academic Admission Requirements
DCC competes in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) in addition to NJCAA and the Mon-Dak Conference - meaning rodeo-specific eligibility rules and roster deadlines run on NIRA's calendar, distinct from DCC's general open-admissions academic timeline. If rodeo is part of your decision to attend DCC, contact the rodeo program directly about NIRA eligibility documentation and roster deadlines in parallel with (not after) your academic application, since these are governed by a different athletic association than DCC's other sports.
Access the Buccaneer Excellence Program's Eight Scholarships as a Deliberate Layered Strategy
DCC's Buccaneer Excellence Program offers eight distinct scholarship opportunities available specifically to enrolled students - a structured, named scholarship stack rather than a single general merit award. Request the full list of these eight specific scholarships and their individual eligibility criteria from the financial aid office during your application process, rather than assuming a single "DCC scholarship" application covers all of them, since named multi-scholarship programs at small colleges often require separate applications per award.
Confirm Your Specific Immunization Compliance Date Against DCC's Named Cutoff
DCC's stated admission requirements include a specific, dated immunization rule: proof of two MMR immunizations is required for anyone born after December 31, 1956, while those born before January 1, 1957 need only provide proof of age instead. Pull your actual immunization records with dates (not a general "up to date" note) before submitting your application, since this is a precise date-based compliance check, not a general vaccination status confirmation.
Expert Insight:
DCC's genuinely rural location (Glendive, population ~5,100) means the closest full-service transportation options are limited - the nearest train service is in Williston, ND, roughly 100 miles away, with local access primarily by air and bus. Students without a personal vehicle should plan transportation to and from Glendive carefully before committing, and confirm with DCC's student services what on-campus or local transportation support exists beyond the Adopt-A-Buc family-matching program, since the town's remoteness is a genuine logistical factor easy to underestimate from a college's marketing materials alone.
DCC Profile
Full Name
Dawson Community College (DCC)
City
Glendive
State
Montana
ZIP Code
59330
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Is a DCC Degree Worth It?
Whether DCC is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $44,300, and graduates see a 3.52% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from DCC Cost?
Listed tuition runs $15,311/year at DCC; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land closer to $10,094.
At DCC, 26.8% receive a Pell Grant and 20.6% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming DCC on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a DCC Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, DCC graduates report a median income of $41,951, about 3% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Degree Programs at DCC
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About DCC Admissions
Dawson Community College graduates earn a lower median salary of $41,951/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Dawson Community College is relatively affordable, around $15,311/year.
26.8% of Dawson Community College students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
The average GPA of admitted Dawson Community College students is 2.99, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.69 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Dawson Community College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.59 or below makes admission tougher at Dawson Community College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Dawson Community College follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.