North Dakota State University-Main Campus
Fargo, North Dakota · Public · 95.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 80/100 · Strong Value
North Dakota State University scores 80 (Strong Value) on the CampusROI scale, propelled by a standout repayment rate of 91.8% -- among the highest of any institution in this batch -- combined with a 7.4-year payback period and median 6-year earnings of $45,200. In-state tuition of $11,110 and a net price of $15,543 make NDSU one of the most affordable engineering and agriculture research universities in the Northern Plains. The program mix is anchored by Pharmacy ($125,175 four-year earnings, ROI grade A), Electrical Engineering ($75,212 year-one, $94,510 four-year), and Mechanical Engineering ($72,158 year-one, $87,702 four-year). Registered Nursing (216 graduates) earns $70,821 at year one. Agricultural Business and Management (50 graduates) earns $59,953 at year one with a B+ grade. NDSU's completion rate of 63.9% is below average for a research university but is not unusual for a regional access institution serving a broad demographic range. The repayment rate of 91.8% is the most telling figure: graduates consistently service their debt, indicating that the credential translates effectively into employment.
North Dakota State University-Main Campus scores in the top 25% of all schools we track, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
North Dakota State University-Main Campus
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $11,110/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $15,764/yr |
| Average net price | $15,543/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $62,172 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $62,203 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $45,200 |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,199 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $246 |
| Estimated payback period | 7.4 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 63.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 9,471 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at North Dakota State University-Main Campus is $11,110/year ($15,764/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $15,543/year, or roughly $62,172 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $9,370/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $18,856/year.
The median graduate leaves with $23,199 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $246 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $62,203 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.51 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,370 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,343 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,923 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,082 |
| $110,001+ | $18,856 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 income bracket pays $9,370 net per year at NDSU -- one of the lowest absolute prices for a research university with this range of engineering and health programs. Four-year costs around $37,000 against a 7.4-year payback period is a strong financial case for low-income students who complete. The 91.8% repayment rate provides confidence that graduates do service their debt. Engineering and nursing students in this bracket have access to exceptional value.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $11,923 per year, and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $16,082. The cost differentiation across income bands is limited, meaning NDSU provides broadly accessible pricing across most income tiers rather than highly targeted need-based grants. Total four-year costs of $48,000-$64,000 are competitive with any comparable public research university in the Midwest or Northern Plains. STEM and health graduates at these costs have strong ROI.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000 or more pay $18,856 net per year -- essentially at or near in-state sticker. Four-year costs near $75,000 are a strong value for engineering, pharmacy, and nursing programs. High-income families comparing NDSU against Minnesota or Wisconsin should look at in-state pricing differentials and specific program outcomes. For North Dakota residents, NDSU's value case is essentially unrivaled in the state.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at North Dakota State University-Main Campus with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $73,935 | B |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $67,405 | C+ |
| Mechanical Engineering | $87,702 | B |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $50,052 | C |
| Psychology | $54,784 | C |
| Biology | $58,662 | C |
| Finance and Financial Management | $80,522 | C+ |
| Computer Science | $87,562 | B |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $53,907 | C+ |
| Electrical Engineering | $94,510 | B+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Pharmacy
Pharmacy (53 graduates) is NDSU's top financial program: $125,175 four-year earnings and an ROI grade A with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.156. Median debt of $19,500 is remarkably low for a professional pharmacy program, likely reflecting NDSU's in-state tuition advantage. Pharmacy graduates enter a field with strong and stable demand in North Dakota's healthcare system. This is one of the strongest program-level values in the database for students with the preparation and interest to pursue it.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering (63 graduates) earns $75,212 at year one and $94,510 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.293 (ROI grade B+). NDSU EE graduates enter the Northern Plains agricultural tech, energy, and defense sectors, including a growing data center and renewable energy infrastructure economy in North Dakota and Minnesota. Year-one earnings above $75,000 on in-state tuition represent strong value.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering (122 graduates) earns $72,158 at year one and $87,702 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.374 (ROI grade B). This is NDSU's highest-volume strong engineering program. The agricultural equipment manufacturing sector -- Bobcat and CNH Industrial have significant North Dakota/Minnesota presence -- creates regionally specific demand for mechanical engineers that NDSU serves directly.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing (216 graduates) earns $70,821 at year one and $73,935 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.431 (ROI grade B). Nursing is NDSU's highest-volume program. North Dakota's rural healthcare system creates strong demand for nurses throughout the state, and NDSU's Fargo-based program places graduates in the region effectively. Median debt of $30,500 is slightly high but manageable against year-one earnings.
Agricultural Business and Management
Agricultural Business and Management (50 graduates) earns $59,953 at year one and $77,296 at year four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.325 (ROI grade B+). NDSU's land-grant identity and deep connections to North Dakota agriculture -- the state is a top producer of wheat, soybeans, corn, and cattle -- create direct career pathways for agribusiness graduates. Debt of $19,500 is low, making the B+ grade even more favorable in practical terms.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 88.9% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 91.8% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 84.0% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 88.5% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 95.0% |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 19-25 |
| Enrollment | 9,471 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 19.7% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $10,624 |
NDSU's 95.0% admission rate means virtually all applicants who meet minimum standards are admitted. The ACT range of 19-25 is broad. In practice, Pharmacy is a highly competitive program with its own selective admission process and should be investigated separately. For other programs, the meaningful barrier is retention and completion rather than admission -- students should assess their preparation for engineering and science rigor before enrolling in those tracks.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
NDSU's Scorecard peers include Dickinson State, Mayville State, CSU East Bay, CSU Stanislaus, and CSU Bakersfield. These are primarily small regional institutions, making NDSU's research university scope a significant differentiator. NDSU (ROI 80) is among the strongest public universities in the Northern Plains by this measure. The 91.8% repayment rate is exceptional -- higher than Iowa State, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, and most Big Ten universities. The completion rate of 63.9% is the primary weakness. For students committed to engineering, pharmacy, agriculture, or nursing in the Northern Plains, NDSU's value case is difficult to match.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota State University-Main Campus (this school) | 80 | $15,543 | $62,203 |
| California State University-Stanislaus | 82 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| California State University-East Bay | 81 | $9,320 | $71,401 |
| California State University-Bakersfield | 75 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| Dickinson State University | 62 | $14,092 | $50,720 |
| Mayville State University | 52 | $11,456 | $47,828 |
Who Thrives Here
NDSU admits 95.0% of applicants, with ACT mid-range of 19-25 (no SAT data available). Enrollment is 9,471. The campus serves primarily North Dakota, Minnesota, and surrounding Northern Plains students with a strong identity around agriculture, engineering, pharmacy, and applied sciences. Pell rate of 19.7% is moderate. Students who thrive at NDSU are goal-directed in applied fields -- engineering, agricultural science, pharmacy, nursing -- and comfortable with Fargo's climate and culture. NDSU's research infrastructure and industry connections in the region provide career pathways that smaller regional colleges cannot match.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
North Dakota State University-Main Campus delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $15,543 per year ($62,172 over four years), graduates earn a median of $62,203 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 7.4 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $23,199 against $62,203 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.