North Dakota State College of Science vs University of Jamestown: which has better ROI?
University of Jamestown has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $78,268 in 9.5 years versus 10.5 years at North Dakota State College of Science, on median earnings of $56,621 vs $50,513 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | North Dakota State College of Science | University of Jamestown |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,261 | $19,567 |
| Total net cost | $22,522 | $78,268 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,513 | $56,621 |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 10.5 yrs | 9.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $20,538 | $86,952 |
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 University of Jamestown?
North Dakota State College of Science, at $11,261 a year after aid versus $19,567 — a gap of $8,306 a year, or $55,746 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 University of Jamestown graduates earn more?
University of Jamestown graduates report a median $56,621 ten years after entry, $6,108 more than the $50,513 at North Dakota State College of Science. 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 University of Jamestown?
North Dakota State College of Science: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at University of Jamestown, a difference of $15,000. 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 49% at University of Jamestown. 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.