University of North Dakota — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of North Dakota charges a net price of $18,551/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $74,204. Graduates earn a median $63,552 ten years after entry, $15,192/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.9 years — a 20-year net return of $229,636, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of North Dakota's 4.9-year payback ranks #418 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 67% of them, and #3 of 17 in North Dakota.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $18,551/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $74,204 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $63,552 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $15,192/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $22,057 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 4.9 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $229,636 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of North Dakota's own numbers. Net price $18,551 × 4 years = $74,204 total. Median earnings $63,552 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $15,192 a year of premium. $74,204 ÷ $15,192 = 4.9 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $229,636. 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 North Dakota students graduate with?
A median $22,057 in federal loans among completers, or 35% of the $63,552 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of North Dakota students graduate?
60% finish their degree — 40% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $74,204 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $123,673 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of North Dakota expensive compared with other North Dakota colleges?
Its $18,551 net price runs $7,095 above the $11,456 median across the 17 North Dakota colleges we profile, or $28,380 more across the full degree.