North Dakota State College of Science vs Lake Region State College: which has better ROI?
North Dakota State College of Science has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $22,522 in 10.5 years versus 23.8 years at Lake Region State College, on median earnings of $50,513 vs $49,502 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | North Dakota State College of Science | Lake Region State College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,261 | $13,577 |
| Total net cost | $22,522 | $27,154 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,513 | $49,502 |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $10,293 |
| Payback | 10.5 yrs | 23.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $20,538 | -$4,314 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, North Dakota State College of Science or Lake Region State College?
North Dakota State College of Science, at $11,261 a year after aid versus $13,577 — a gap of $2,316 a year, or $4,632 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do North Dakota State College of Science or Lake Region State College graduates earn more?
North Dakota State College of Science graduates report a median $50,513 ten years after entry, $1,011 more than the $49,502 at Lake Region State College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, North Dakota State College of Science or Lake Region State College?
Lake Region State College: its completers carry a median $10,293 in federal loans versus $12,000 at North Dakota State College of Science, a difference of $1,707. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
55% of students finish at North Dakota State College of Science, against 52% at Lake Region State College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.