North Dakota State University-Main Campus vs North Dakota State College of Science: which has better ROI?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $62,172 in 4.5 years versus 10.5 years at North Dakota State College of Science, on median earnings of $62,203 vs $50,513 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | North Dakota State University-Main Campus | North Dakota State College of Science |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,543 | $11,261 |
| Total net cost | $62,172 | $22,522 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,203 | $50,513 |
| Median debt | $23,199 | $12,000 |
| Payback | 4.5 yrs | 10.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $214,688 | $20,538 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, North Dakota State University-Main Campus or North Dakota State College of Science?
North Dakota State College of Science, at $11,261 a year after aid versus $15,543 — a gap of $4,282 a year, or $39,650 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 University-Main Campus or North Dakota State College of Science graduates earn more?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus graduates report a median $62,203 ten years after entry, $11,690 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 University-Main Campus or North Dakota State College of Science?
North Dakota State College of Science: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $23,199 at North Dakota State University-Main Campus, a difference of $11,199. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
64% of students finish at North Dakota State University-Main Campus, against 55% at North Dakota State College of Science. 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.