Head-to-head · 2026
North Dakota State University-Main Campus vs University of North Dakota
Compare average net price ($15,543 at North Dakota State University-Main Campus; $18,551 at University of North Dakota), ROI score (10.00 vs 8.56), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($62,203 vs $63,552), and admissions selectivity (95% acceptance at North Dakota State University-Main Campus; 76.9% at University of North Dakota) 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 North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.00 ✓ | 8.56 |
| Avg net price | $15,543 ✓ | $18,551 |
| 4-year avg net price | $62,172 ✓ | $74,204 |
| In-state tuition | $11,110 | $10,951 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $15,764 | $15,570 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $62,203 | $63,552 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 95% | 76.9% |
| Graduation rate | 63.9% ✓ | 60.5% |
| Retention rate | 78.4% | 84% ✓ |
| Median debt | $23,199 | $22,057 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 9,471 | 9,981 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1150 | — |
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 North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,370 ✓ | $13,126 |
| Family income $30–48k | $11,343 ✓ | $12,251 |
| Family income $48–75k | $11,923 ✓ | $15,206 |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,082 ✓ | $18,981 |
| Family income $110k+ | $18,856 ✓ | $20,730 |
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 North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 7% | 6.6% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 5.4% | 3.3% |
| Mechanical Engineering | 5.1% | 2.5% |
| Psychology, General | 3.3% | 3.5% |
| Biology, General | 3.2% | 2.6% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 1.8% | 3.6% |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | 0.3% | 4.3% |
| Civil Engineering | 2.7% | 1.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
North Dakota State University-Main Campus reports the lower average net price by $3,008 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $12,032 difference over four years ($62,172 vs $74,204).
University of North Dakota reports $1,349 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($63,552 vs $62,203). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 78.4% at North Dakota State University-Main Campus and 84% at University of North Dakota. Median federal debt among completers is $23,199 vs $22,057, 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 North Dakota, 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 $18,551 at University of North Dakota. The annual difference of $3,008 adds up to about $12,032 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of North Dakota reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $63,552 vs $62,203 at North Dakota State University-Main Campus. The gap in the federal data is $1,349. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of North Dakota is more selective at 76.9% 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.