University of North Dakota
#1 Best Colleges in North Dakota- Graduation Rate
- 62% C+
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $63,552 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $18,551 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 77% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 20.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $20.5 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Colleges in North Dakota.
Every $1 spent returns $20.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,450,488.
What The Data Says
-
A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduates earn 56% more than the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $20.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.4%
- Top 51%
- Patents
- 59
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 9
- Downstream influence
Why University of North Dakota Matters
University of North Dakota is a public research university in Grand Forks, ND and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base 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
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 9,981
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Transportation, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Engineering
Why students choose University of North Dakota
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
Competitive — admits about 77% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $18,551 a year after grants and scholarships — 8% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $63,552 ten years after enrolling — 56% above the typical college, against $22,057 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 44% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.73 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With nearly 10,000 students, the University of North Dakota is a solid choice for those interested in fields like Transportation, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Engineering, and Psychology. The 77% acceptance rate means that a diverse group of students can find a home here. This school is particularly well-suited for individuals looking for a strong academic foundation in these areas, along with a supportive campus environment that encourages growth.
When it comes to life after graduation, students here can expect to earn about $63,552 a decade after completing their degree. That’s a strong return on investment, especially when considering the affordability of attending. The net price after financial aid stands at $18,551, making it accessible for many. While the graduation rate is 62%, those who complete their degrees are likely to see a positive shift in their earning potential, which is important for anyone weighing their options for the future.
Financial considerations are crucial for students today. With a median debt of $22,057, it’s essential to think about how manageable that is in the context of their future earnings. Students who thrive here often appreciate a straightforward academic experience and are willing to engage with the community. This is a place where practical skills meet real-world applications, setting up graduates for success in their chosen fields.
Rankings
- #1 Best Colleges in North Dakota
- #1 Best Master's Programs in North Dakota
- #1 Best Online Colleges in North Dakota
- #5 Best Nursing Colleges in North Dakota
- #6 Best Education Colleges in North Dakota
- #7 Best Business Colleges in North Dakota
- #10 Best Colleges in Plains
- #16 Most Affordable Colleges in North Dakota
Can I Get In?
How selective University of North Dakota 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 University of North Dakota? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of North Dakota, located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 77%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 23. The graduation rate is roughly 62%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 77%
- Retention Rate
- 84%
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- Full-Time Faculty
- 92%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,049
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.38
- First-Gen Students
- 19%
- Applicants
- 6,597
- Admitted
- 5,494
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 University of North Dakota? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of North Dakota is $15,570, 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 $18,551. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,126 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,057 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $10,951
- Out-of-State
- $15,570
- Avg Net Price
- $18,551
- Median Debt
- $22,057
- Pell Grant Rate
- 17%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 41%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $13,126
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,251
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,206
- Family Income $110K+
- $20,730
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 University of North Dakota — 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 University of North Dakota Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of North Dakota earn a median of $63,552, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $54,588
- 8 Years
- $58,225
- 10 Years
- $63,552
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.35x
- Earning > $25K
- 79%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (668)
- 36%
- 100% (668)
- 36%
- 100% (668)
- 36%
- 100% (668)
- 36%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is University of North Dakota Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of North Dakota delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $18,551/year ($74,204 total). Graduates earn $63,552 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,524,692 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,450,488 (20.5× your investment). The median debt is $22,057, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 62% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $74,204
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,524,692
- Net Return
- $1,450,488
- ROI Multiple
- 20.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $18,551
- Median Debt
- $22,057
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 62%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does University of North Dakota Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of North Dakota is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.57%, well above the typical college. About 4.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 34.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $90,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.57%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 34.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.5%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $122,278
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
University of North Dakota produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 59 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.43%
- Top 51% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 59
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 9
- Downstream influence
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 0.24%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $2,444,877
Top Programs
The fields University of North Dakota 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.
- Transportation 17% $51,530 early-career
- Health Professions 14% $72,999 early-career
- Business & Marketing 13% $61,276 early-career
- Engineering 9% $90,849 early-career
- Psychology 6% $38,544 early-career
- Humanities 5% $36,992 early-career
- Communications 5% $42,673 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 4% $41,235 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 University of North Dakota'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+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of North Dakota? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of North Dakota, located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 77%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 23. The graduation rate is roughly 62%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of North Dakota? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of North Dakota is $15,570, 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 $18,551. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,126 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,057 in federal student loans.
Is University of North Dakota Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of North Dakota earn a median of $63,552, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does University of North Dakota Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of North Dakota is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.57%, well above the typical college. About 4.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 34.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $90,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is University of North Dakota? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of North Dakota. 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 University of North Dakota.
- University of Massachusetts-LowellLowell, MA · Close peer67% grad $64,874 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Wisconsin-La CrosseLa Crosse, WI · Close peer71% grad $60,378 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Massachusetts-BostonBoston, MA · Close peer50% grad $65,865 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar net price
- University of Minnesota-DuluthDuluth, MN · Close peer65% grad $62,616 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- North Dakota State University-Main CampusFargo, ND · Close peer64% grad $62,203 earn 95% 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 selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of North Dakota? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of North Dakota. 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