North Dakota State University-Main Campus
#9 Best Master's Programs in North Dakota- Graduation Rate
- 64% C+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $62,203 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $15,543 C+
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 95% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 23.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $23.5 over 20 years. Ranked #9 in Best Master's Programs in North Dakota.
Every $1 spent returns $23.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,397,293.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduates earn 53% more than the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $23.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why North Dakota State University Matters
North Dakota State University-Main Campus is a public research university in Fargo, ND and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 9,471
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Engineering, Psychology
Why students choose North Dakota State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 95% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $15,543 a year after grants and scholarships — 9% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $62,203 ten years after enrolling — 53% above the typical college, against $23,199 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.73 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 95%, North Dakota State University in Fargo is an accessible option for many students looking to pursue degrees in fields like Business and Marketing, Health Professions, Engineering, and Psychology. This university is a great fit for those who value a diverse set of program offerings and a supportive campus environment. The focus on practical skills and hands-on learning prepares students for real-world challenges, making it an appealing choice for individuals ready to dive into their careers.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $62,203 within ten years, reflecting the university's commitment to equipping graduates with valuable skills. While the graduation rate sits at 64%, this indicates that many students are successfully navigating their academic journeys, even if not everyone completes their degree on time. The financial aspect is also worth noting; with a net price of $15,543, students can manage their education costs while keeping their futures bright.
On the financial side, students graduate with a median debt of $23,199, which is relatively manageable given the earning potential. Those who thrive here tend to be proactive and engaged, making the most of the resources available. The 20% of students receiving Pell Grants shows that there is support for those who need it, helping to create a more inclusive campus community. Overall, North Dakota State University stands out as a solid choice for students looking to balance affordability with a pathway to stable careers.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective North Dakota State University-Main Campus is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into North Dakota State University-Main Campus? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
North Dakota State University-Main Campus, located in Fargo, North Dakota, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 95%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,150. The graduation rate is roughly 64%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 95%
- Retention Rate
- 78%
- SAT Average
- 1150
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- ACT Range
- 19–25
- Full-Time Faculty
- 98%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,624
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.30
- First-Gen Students
- 17%
- Applicants
- 8,535
- Admitted
- 8,166
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend North Dakota State University-Main Campus? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at North Dakota State University-Main Campus is $15,764, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,543. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,370 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,199 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $11,110
- Out-of-State
- $15,764
- Avg Net Price
- $15,543
- Median Debt
- $23,199
- Pell Grant Rate
- 20%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 52%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,370
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,343
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $11,923
- Family Income $110K+
- $18,856
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at North Dakota State University-Main Campus — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is North Dakota State University-Main Campus Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of North Dakota State University-Main Campus earn a median of $62,203, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $54,312
- 8 Years
- $57,779
- 10 Years
- $62,203
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.37x
- Earning > $25K
- 79%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (926)
- 38%
- 100% (926)
- 38%
- 100% (926)
- 38%
- 100% (926)
- 38%
How North Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is North Dakota State University-Main Campus Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, North Dakota State University-Main Campus delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $15,543/year ($62,172 total). Graduates earn $62,203 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,459,465 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,397,293 (23.5× your investment). The median debt is $23,199, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 64% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $62,172
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,459,465
- Net Return
- $1,397,293
- ROI Multiple
- 23.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $15,543
- Median Debt
- $23,199
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 64%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $521,867
- Investment Income
- $5,740,979
Top Programs
The fields North Dakota State University-Main Campus awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 23% $67,461 early-career
- Health Professions 13% $74,140 early-career
- Engineering 12% $86,534 early-career
- Psychology 5% $35,741 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 5% $52,389 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4% $69,944 early-career
- Education 3% $48,415 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 2% $46,350 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for North Dakota State University-Main Campus's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into North Dakota State University-Main Campus? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
North Dakota State University-Main Campus, located in Fargo, North Dakota, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 95%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,150. The graduation rate is roughly 64%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend North Dakota State University-Main Campus? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at North Dakota State University-Main Campus is $15,764, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,543. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,370 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,199 in federal student loans.
Is North Dakota State University-Main Campus Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of North Dakota State University-Main Campus earn a median of $62,203, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is North Dakota State University-Main Campus? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at North Dakota State University-Main Campus. Its economic connectedness score is 1.73, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to North Dakota State University-Main Campus.
- California State University-ChicoChico, CA · Close peer63% grad $64,172 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleEdwardsville, IL · Close peer56% grad $56,346 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Minnesota-DuluthDuluth, MN · Close peer65% grad $62,616 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of North DakotaGrand Forks, ND · Close peer62% grad $63,552 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireEau Claire, WI · Close peer66% grad $58,561 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of California-MercedMerced, CA · Close peer69% grad $64,368 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is North Dakota State University-Main Campus? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at North Dakota State University-Main Campus. Its economic connectedness score is 1.73, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note