University of North Dakota vs University of Jamestown: which has better ROI?
University of North Dakota has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $74,204 in 4.9 years versus 9.5 years at University of Jamestown, on median earnings of $63,552 vs $56,621 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of North Dakota | University of Jamestown |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,551 | $19,567 |
| Total net cost | $74,204 | $78,268 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,552 | $56,621 |
| Median debt | $22,057 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 4.9 yrs | 9.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $229,636 | $86,952 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of North Dakota or University of Jamestown?
University of North Dakota, at $18,551 a year after aid versus $19,567 — a gap of $1,016 a year, or $4,064 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 University of Jamestown graduates earn more?
University of North Dakota graduates report a median $63,552 ten years after entry, $6,931 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, University of North Dakota or University of Jamestown?
University of North Dakota: its completers carry a median $22,057 in federal loans versus $27,000 at University of Jamestown, a difference of $4,943. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
60% of students finish at University of North Dakota, 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.