North Dakota State University-Main Campus vs University of Jamestown: 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 9.5 years at University of Jamestown, on median earnings of $62,203 vs $56,621 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | North Dakota State University-Main Campus | University of Jamestown |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,543 | $19,567 |
| Total net cost | $62,172 | $78,268 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,203 | $56,621 |
| Median debt | $23,199 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 4.5 yrs | 9.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $214,688 | $86,952 |
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 University of Jamestown?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus, at $15,543 a year after aid versus $19,567 — a gap of $4,024 a year, or $16,096 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 University of Jamestown graduates earn more?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus graduates report a median $62,203 ten years after entry, $5,582 more than the $56,621 at University of Jamestown. 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 University of Jamestown?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus: its completers carry a median $23,199 in federal loans versus $27,000 at University of Jamestown, a difference of $3,801. 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 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.