Head-to-head · 2026
North Dakota State University-Main Campus vs University of Mary
Compare average net price ($15,543 at North Dakota State University-Main Campus; $17,770 at University of Mary), ROI score (10.00 vs 8.57), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($62,203 vs $60,909), and admissions selectivity (95% acceptance at North Dakota State University-Main Campus; 75.3% at University of Mary) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | North Dakota State University-Main Campus | University of Mary |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.00 ✓ | 8.57 |
| Avg net price | $15,543 ✓ | $17,770 |
| 4-year avg net price | $62,172 ✓ | $71,080 |
| In-state tuition | $11,110 | $22,356 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $15,764 | $22,356 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $62,203 ✓ | $60,909 |
| Acceptance rate | 95% | 75.3% |
| Graduation rate | 63.9% | 66.6% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 78.4% | 83.5% ✓ |
| Median debt | $23,199 ✓ | $24,000 |
| Enrollment | 9,471 | 2,416 |
| Ownership | Public | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1150 | 1159 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | North Dakota State University-Main Campus | University of Mary |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,370 ✓ | $11,593 |
| Family income $30–48k | $11,343 ✓ | $12,282 |
| Family income $48–75k | $11,923 ✓ | $13,087 |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,082 | $16,001 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $18,856 ✓ | $20,063 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | North Dakota State University-Main Campus | University of Mary |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 5.4% | 19.7% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 7% | 12.8% |
| Psychology, General | 3.3% | 4.4% |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 1.7% | 5.4% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 1.8% | 4.1% |
| Mechanical Engineering | 5.1% | 0.6% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 2.7% | 2.9% |
| Biology, General | 3.2% | 1.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
North Dakota State University-Main Campus reports the lower average net price by $2,227 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $8,908 difference over four years ($62,172 vs $71,080).
North Dakota State University-Main Campus reports $1,294 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($62,203 vs $60,909). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 78.4% at North Dakota State University-Main Campus and 83.5% at University of Mary. Median federal debt among completers is $23,199 vs $24,000, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
North Dakota State University-Main Campus vs University of Mary, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus is cheaper — average net price $15,543 per year vs $17,770 at University of Mary. The annual difference of $2,227 adds up to about $8,908 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $62,203 vs $60,909 at University of Mary. The gap in the federal data is $1,294. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Mary is more selective at 75.3% acceptance vs 95% at North Dakota State University-Main Campus.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.