North Dakota State University-Main Campus
North Dakota State University-Main Campus — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
North Dakota State University-Main Campus at a Glance
North Dakota State University is a public land-grant research university in Fargo, North Dakota, United States. It was founded as North Dakota Agricultural College in 1890 as the state's land-grant university. It is classified among "R1-Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".
1890
136 years old
$528M
$528 million (2025)
11,952
258 acres
Identity
How to Apply to North Dakota State University-Main Campus
Official admissions page$35
Testing policy
Is North Dakota State University-Main Campus Worth It?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $15,543/year, it's priced 24% below average, while graduates go on to earn $62,203 — 16% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 64% graduation rate means roughly 36% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 95% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How North Dakota State University-Main Campus compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #18 of 90 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #4 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #5 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #6 | University of California-Merced | 93 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
| #18 | North Dakota State University-Main Campus | 64 | $15,543 | $62,203 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of North Dakota State University-Main Campus's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at North Dakota State University-Main Campus
The highest-earning program at North Dakota State University-Main Campus is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $64,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $20,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from North Dakota State University-Main Campus earns $64,000, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $20,400. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,543/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $64,000 | $64,000 | $26,810 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $63,100 | $63,100 | $22,599 |
| Civil Engineering | $61,400 | $61,400 | $26,980 |
| Construction Management | $61,100 | $61,100 | $27,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $61,000 | $61,000 | $21,535 |
| Computer Science | $57,700 | $57,700 | $20,500 |
| Industrial Engineering | $57,500 | $57,500 | $25,802 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $55,600 | $55,600 | $20,000 |
| Agricultural Production Operations | $52,500 | $52,500 | $20,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $51,600 | $51,600 | $31,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $48,600 | $48,600 | $23,029 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $47,000 | $47,000 | $21,250 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $44,600 | $44,600 | $20,457 |
| Marketing | $40,900 | $40,900 | $25,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,300 | $39,300 | $21,500 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $39,100 | $39,100 | $23,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $38,700 | $38,700 | $24,239 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $38,400 | $38,400 | $25,875 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $36,200 | $36,200 | $21,500 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $35,900 | $35,900 | $21,500 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $35,900 | $35,900 | N/A |
| Animal Sciences | $35,300 | $35,300 | $19,500 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $34,200 | $34,200 | $25,000 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $33,700 | $33,700 | $20,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $33,400 | $33,400 | $23,829 |
| Music | $32,700 | $32,700 | $26,875 |
| History | $32,500 | $32,500 | N/A |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $31,300 | $31,300 | $18,750 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | $31,100 | $31,100 | $23,250 |
| Natural Resources Management and Policy | $30,900 | $30,900 | $24,250 |
| Psychology, General | $30,600 | $30,600 | $23,000 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $29,100 | $29,100 | $22,250 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $20,400 | $20,400 | N/A |
Similar Colleges in ND
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Fargo, ND
- Student Body
- 9,471 students
- Admission Rate
- 95%
- Graduation Rate
- 64%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,543
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $62,203
- Median Student Debt
- $23,199