Head-to-head · 2026
North Dakota State University-Main Campus vs Williston State College
Compare average net price ($15,543 at North Dakota State University-Main Campus; $5,932 at Williston State College), ROI score (10.00 vs 18.55), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($62,203 vs $44,017), and admissions context (95% at North Dakota State University-Main Campus; Open / not reported at Williston State College) 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 | Williston State College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.00 | 18.55 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $15,543 | $5,932 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $62,172 | $23,728 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $11,110 | $6,128 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $15,764 | $6,128 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $62,203 ✓ | $44,017 |
| Acceptance rate | 95% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 63.9% ✓ | 41.9% |
| Retention rate | 78.4% ✓ | 66.3% |
| Median debt | $23,199 | $10,099 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 9,471 | 651 |
| 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 | Williston State College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,370 | $4,454 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $11,343 | $3,213 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $11,923 | $5,026 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,082 | $7,187 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $18,856 | $8,854 ✓ |
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 | Williston State College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 0.2% | 45.6% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 7% | 7.9% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 5.4% | 8.2% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 1.8% | 2.3% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 1.8% | 0.9% |
| Agriculture, General | 0.4% | 1.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Williston State College reports the lower average net price by $9,611 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $38,444 difference over four years ($23,728 vs $62,172).
North Dakota State University-Main Campus reports $18,186 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($62,203 vs $44,017). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 78.4% at North Dakota State University-Main Campus and 66.3% at Williston State College. Median federal debt among completers is $23,199 vs $10,099, respectively.
6 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
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Frequently asked
North Dakota State University-Main Campus vs Williston State College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Williston State College is cheaper — average net price $5,932 per year vs $15,543 at North Dakota State University-Main Campus. The annual difference of $9,611 adds up to about $38,444 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 $44,017 at Williston State College. The gap in the federal data is $18,186. This is not major-specific earnings.
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.