North Dakota State College of Science — ROI, Cost & Payback
North Dakota State College of Science charges a net price of $11,261/yr after aid — a 2-year total of $22,522. Graduates earn a median $50,513 ten years after entry, $2,153/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 10.5 years — a 20-year net return of $20,538, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
North Dakota State College of Science's 10.5-year payback ranks #812 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 37% of them, and #6 of 17 in North Dakota.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $11,261/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (2 yrs) | $22,522 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $50,513 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $2,153/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $12,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 10.5 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $20,538 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on North Dakota State College of Science's own numbers. Net price $11,261 × 2 years = $22,522 total. Median earnings $50,513 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $2,153 a year of premium. $22,522 ÷ $2,153 = 10.5 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $20,538. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do North Dakota State College of Science students graduate with?
A median $12,000 in federal loans among completers, or 24% of the $50,513 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of North Dakota State College of Science students graduate?
55% finish their degree — 45% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $22,522 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $40,949 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is North Dakota State College of Science expensive compared with other North Dakota colleges?
Its $11,261 net price runs $195 below the $11,456 median across the 17 North Dakota colleges we profile, and $390 less across the full degree.