University of North Dakota vs North Dakota State University-Main Campus: 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 4.9 years at University of North Dakota, on median earnings of $62,203 vs $63,552 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of North Dakota | North Dakota State University-Main Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,551 | $15,543 |
| Total net cost | $74,204 | $62,172 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,552 | $62,203 |
| Median debt | $22,057 | $23,199 |
| Payback | 4.9 yrs | 4.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $229,636 | $214,688 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of North Dakota or North Dakota State University-Main Campus?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus, at $15,543 a year after aid versus $18,551 — a gap of $3,008 a year, or $12,032 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 North Dakota or North Dakota State University-Main Campus graduates earn more?
University of North Dakota graduates report a median $63,552 ten years after entry, $1,349 more than the $62,203 at North Dakota State University-Main Campus. 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 North Dakota or North Dakota State University-Main Campus?
University of North Dakota: its completers carry a median $22,057 in federal loans versus $23,199 at North Dakota State University-Main Campus, a difference of $1,142. 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 60% at University of North Dakota. 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.