The School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Dickinson State University announced that its Spring 2026 graduating class posted strong results on the Peregrine exit examination, outperforming national averages among accredited business programs. The results mark the highest performance in recent history for both undergraduate and graduate programs in the School of Business and Entrepreneurship.
Graduating students earned an average score of 83.07 at the undergraduate level, and 82.82 at the graduate level, exceeding benchmark averages from institutions accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).
The results reflect the strength of DSU’s curriculum and faculty commitment to student learning.

Results at a glance
Dickinson State University students outperformed comparison groups.
Undergraduate:
|
Semester |
DSU |
AACSB |
ACBSP |
IACBE |
|
Spring 2026 |
83.071 |
69.33 |
62.95 |
67.31 |
Graduate MBA/ME
|
Semester |
DSU |
AACSB |
ACBSP |
IACBE |
|
Spring 2026 |
82.828 |
66.69 |
65.66 |
70.35 |

Measuring academic rigor
The Peregrine exit exam, administered by Peregrine Academic Services, assesses student knowledge and mastery of core business concepts at the conclusion of their degree program. Surpassing AACSB benchmarks places DSU graduates above institutions recognized for high academic standards in business education.
“Achieving an 83.07 and 82.82 at the undergraduate and graduate levels, respectively, affirms the strength of our curriculum and the dedication of our faculty,” said Dr. Ayodeji Arogundade, dean of the School of Business and Entrepreneurship. “These results demonstrate that our graduates not only understand business fundamentals but are prepared to lead in a global marketplace.”
Preparing future leaders
The consistent performance aligns with Dickinson State University’s mission to provide high-quality, accessible academic programs; promote excellence in teaching and learning; support scholarly activity; and serve the economic and workforce needs of North Dakota.
The School of Business and Entrepreneurship will continue to use assessment data to guide curriculum development and program improvement, ensuring graduates are equipped with critical thinking skills, applied knowledge and professional readiness.

For employers, the results signal that DSU business graduates are prepared to contribute effectively in a competitive global economy.
“Dickinson State University is committed to delivering an academic experience that produces measurable, high-impact outcomes for our students. These Peregrine exam results reflect the strength of our faculty, the rigor of our curriculum, and our intentional focus on student learning and continuous improvement. Most importantly, they affirm that DSU graduates are well-prepared to contribute immediately and meaningfully in today’s complex business environment,” said Holly Gruhlke, vice president for academic affairs and provost.
