North Dakota State University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and in-state North Dakota residents. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $55,500 within 10 years.
About This School
North Dakota State University is a public institution located in Fargo, North Dakota with approximately 9,567 undergraduate students enrolled. North Dakota State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 96%. The average net price after financial aid is $16,334 per year. The graduation rate is 64%, and the typical graduate earns $55,500 within 10 years of enrollment.
North Dakota State University is a public land-grant research university in Fargo, North Dakota, United States. It was founded as North Dakota Agricultural College in 1890 as the state's land-grant university. As of 2021, NDSU offers 94 undergraduate majors, 146 undergraduate degree programs, 5 undergraduate certificate programs, 84 undergraduate minors, 87 master's degree programs, 51 doctoral degree programs of study, and 210 graduate certificate programs. It is classified among "R1-Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".
The numbers tell a mixed story here: the $16,334 average net price and relatively low $16,750 median debt are genuinely affordable, and the land-grant research focus means solid programs in agriculture, engineering, and the sciences backed by real doctoral-level resources. That said, a 64% graduation rate and 77% freshman retention rate suggest a meaningful number of students don't finish — worth asking honestly whether the fit, support, or academic environment is right for you before enrolling. Strong value if you're committed to a STEM or technical field and want a research university without the sticker shock.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (9,567 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in North Dakota
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND · Public
Bismarck State College
Bismarck, ND · Public
University of Mary
Bismarck, ND · Private nonprofit
Minot State University
Minot, ND · Public
North Dakota State College of Science
Wahpeton, ND · Public
Dickinson State University
Dickinson, ND · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
All school names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this page is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation with CollegeHelpGuide.