University of Mary vs North Dakota State College of Science: which has better ROI?
University of Mary has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $71,080 in 5.7 years versus 10.5 years at North Dakota State College of Science, on median earnings of $60,909 vs $50,513 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Mary | North Dakota State College of Science |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,770 | $11,261 |
| Total net cost | $71,080 | $22,522 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $60,909 | $50,513 |
| Median debt | $24,000 | $12,000 |
| Payback | 5.7 yrs | 10.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $179,900 | $20,538 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Mary or North Dakota State College of Science?
North Dakota State College of Science, at $11,261 a year after aid versus $17,770 — a gap of $6,509 a year, or $48,558 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Mary or North Dakota State College of Science graduates earn more?
University of Mary graduates report a median $60,909 ten years after entry, $10,396 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, University of Mary or North Dakota State College of Science?
North Dakota State College of Science: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $24,000 at University of Mary, a difference of $12,000. 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 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.