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University of Jamestown — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Jamestown, ND · 1,041 students

The verdict

University of Jamestown charges a net price of $19,567/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $78,268. Graduates earn a median $56,621 ten years after entry, $8,261/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 9.5 years — a 20-year net return of $86,952, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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University of Jamestown's 9.5-year payback ranks #772 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 40% of them, and #5 of 17 in North Dakota.

Better ROI than 40% of US colleges#772 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$19,567
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$56,621
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
9.5 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
88%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
University of Jamestown: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$19,567/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$78,268our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$56,621Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$8,261/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$27,000Scorecard, 2026
Payback9.5 yrsour math
20-year net return$86,952our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

The arithmetic, on University of Jamestown's own numbers. Net price $19,567 × 4 years = $78,268 total. Median earnings $56,621 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $8,261 a year of premium. $78,268 ÷ $8,261 = 9.5 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $86,952. 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 University of Jamestown students graduate with?

A median $27,000 in federal loans among completers, or 48% of the $56,621 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.

What share of University of Jamestown students graduate?

49% finish their degree — 51% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $78,268 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $159,731 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.

Is University of Jamestown expensive compared with other North Dakota colleges?

Its $19,567 net price runs $8,111 above the $11,456 median across the 17 North Dakota colleges we profile, or $32,444 more across the full degree.

University of Jamestown: frequently asked questions

Is University of Jamestown worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. University of Jamestown charges $19,567/yr after aid ($78,268 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $56,621 ten years out — $8,261/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 9.5 years and returns $86,952 net over 20 years, a solid payback.
How long does a University of Jamestown degree take to pay off?
About 9.5 years. We divide the $78,268 four-year net cost by the $8,261/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does University of Jamestown cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $19,567/yr — about $78,268 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does University of Jamestown compare to other North Dakota colleges?
It ranks #5 of 17 North Dakota colleges we track by payback. Its $56,621 median earnings beat the national median of $43,549, and its $19,567 net price is above the national median of $16,902.