North Dakota State University-Main Campus vs University of Mary: 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 5.7 years at University of Mary, on median earnings of $62,203 vs $60,909 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | North Dakota State University-Main Campus | University of Mary |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,543 | $17,770 |
| Total net cost | $62,172 | $71,080 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,203 | $60,909 |
| Median debt | $23,199 | $24,000 |
| Payback | 4.5 yrs | 5.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $214,688 | $179,900 |
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 Mary?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus, at $15,543 a year after aid versus $17,770 — a gap of $2,227 a year, or $8,908 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 Mary graduates earn more?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus graduates report a median $62,203 ten years after entry, $1,294 more than the $60,909 at University of Mary. 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 Mary?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus: its completers carry a median $23,199 in federal loans versus $24,000 at University of Mary, a difference of $801. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
67% of students finish at University of Mary, against 64% at North Dakota State University-Main Campus. 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.