North Dakota State University-Main Campus is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Fargo, North Dakota. It enrolls 9,471 students (a large student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Strong
71/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes59
Value84
Affordability45
Selectivity27
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 95%, North Dakota State University-Main Campus is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
95%
Open
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
19 – 25
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether North Dakota State University-Main Campus is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Stable ↑
2.3 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending North Dakota State University-Main Campus isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $15,543 per year. That's below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$15,543
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
20%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
52%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$11,110
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$15,764
Room & Board (on-campus)
$9,928
Room & Board (off-campus)
$9,928
Books & Supplies
$1,100
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$3,476
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$3,476
Total Cost of Attendance
$23,716
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$9,370
$30,001 – $48,000
$11,343
$48,001 – $75,000
$11,923
$75,001 – $110,000
$16,082
Over $110,000
$18,856
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$3,50010%percentile
$6,44925%percentile
$23,199Medianpercentile
$25,74975%percentile
$31,00090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $18,707
↓ $4,492
No Pell $15,000
↓ $8,199
Dependent students $16,750
↓ $6,449
Independent students $18,148
↓ $5,051
Female students $17,500
↓ $5,699
Male students $15,871
↓ $7,328
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $6,750, less than completers ($23,199), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
58% of full-time students who enrolled at North Dakota State University-Main Campus graduate within six years, and 78% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
58%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
78%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered North Dakota State University-Main Campus earn a median of $62,203 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$62,203
Earning > $25K
88%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$46,400
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$63,300
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$51,000
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$54,800
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$57,800
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $16,900, about 27% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
6.9 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 96% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
North Dakota State University-Main Campus is home to 9,471 students, a large student community.
Total Enrolled
9,471
Part-Time
8%
First-Generation
17%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 83.6%7,920
Other 5.5%516
Hispanic 3.7%352
Black 3.4%323
Asian 1.8%168
International 0.9%85
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at North Dakota State University-Main Campus. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Midsize CityFargo, North Dakota
Housing
Mostly residential5,563 beds on campus
Adult Learners
6%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
North Dakota State University-Main Campus offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
166 distinct programs across
25 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at North Dakota State University-Main Campus is 18:1, on the higher side.
Student : Faculty
18:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$13,383
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$440M
Solid financial position
Avg Faculty Salary
$92,802
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
493 instructional faculty across 5 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
150
30%
$117,683
Associate Professors
146
30%
$90,556
Assistant Professors
143
29%
$81,520
Instructors
1
0%
$65,274
Lecturers
53
11%
$59,396
Pros & Cons of North Dakota State University-Main Campus
A quick at-a-glance summary of how North Dakota State University-Main Campus tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Solid post-graduation earnings
CONS
Class sizes are on the higher side
Modest first-year retention
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Best for:
Based on the data, North Dakota State University-Main Campus is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier.
Frequently Asked Questions about North Dakota State University-Main Campus
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about North Dakota State University-Main Campus.
Is North Dakota State University-Main Campus hard to get into?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 95%.
What is the acceptance rate at North Dakota State University-Main Campus?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 95%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What ACT score do you need for North Dakota State University-Main Campus?
The middle 50% of admitted students at North Dakota State University-Main Campus scored between 19 and 25 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does North Dakota State University-Main Campus cost?
The average net price after aid at North Dakota State University-Main Campus is $15,543 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is North Dakota State University-Main Campus worth it?
Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $62,203 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $15,543 per year. That's roughly 4.0x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is North Dakota State University-Main Campus known for?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus is best known for its programs in Nursing, Business Administration, Mechanical Engineering. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do North Dakota State University-Main Campus graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering North Dakota State University-Main Campus are $62,203, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is North Dakota State University-Main Campus accredited?
Yes. North Dakota State University-Main Campus is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend North Dakota State University-Main Campus?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus enrolls 9,471 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at North Dakota State University-Main Campus?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus graduates 58% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is North Dakota State University-Main Campus a public or private college?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus is a Public institution.
Where is North Dakota State University-Main Campus located?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus is located in Fargo, North Dakota.
What programs does North Dakota State University-Main Campus offer?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus offers 166 distinct programs. The most popular include Nursing, Business Administration, Mechanical Engineering.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at North Dakota State University-Main Campus?
The student-to-faculty ratio at North Dakota State University-Main Campus is 18:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in North Dakota
Other colleges in North Dakota share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
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