University of North Dakota
University of North Dakota — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of North Dakota at a Glance
The University of North Dakota (UND) is a public research university in Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States. It was established by the Dakota Territorial Assembly in 1883, six years before the establishment of the state of North Dakota.
1883
143 years old
$471M
$471.4 million (2025)
15,844
11,837 undergrad · 4,007 grad
521 acres
Identity
How to Apply to University of North Dakota
Official admissions page$35
Is University of North Dakota Worth It?
University of North Dakota offers moderate value at $18,551/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $63,552, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 62% graduation rate means roughly 38% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How University of North Dakota compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #34 of 86 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 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #3 | University of Washington-Tacoma Campus | 100 | $10,163 | $78,466 |
| #4 | Purdue University Northwest | 86 | $6,079 | $48,318 |
| #5 | University of Michigan-Flint | 81 | $7,007 | $53,230 |
| #6 | Northern Kentucky University | 77 | $8,191 | $50,220 |
| #34 | University of North Dakota | 53 | $18,551 | $63,552 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of North Dakota's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at University of North Dakota
The highest-earning program at University of North Dakota is Petroleum Engineering at $73,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health and Physical Education/Fitness at $28,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Petroleum Engineering graduate from University of North Dakota earns $73,300, while a Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduate earns $28,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Petroleum Engineering graduates carry $23,000 in median debt vs. $25,500 for Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,551/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Engineering | $73,300 | $73,300 | $23,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $71,400 | $71,400 | $27,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $63,800 | $63,800 | $27,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $60,100 | $60,100 | $25,500 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $54,200 | $54,200 | $25,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $54,000 | $54,000 | $21,730 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $50,800 | $50,800 | $24,125 |
| Air Transportation | $42,400 | $42,400 | $22,500 |
| Marketing | $40,600 | $40,600 | $26,000 |
| Social Work | $40,300 | $40,300 | $24,031 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $39,900 | $39,900 | $26,951 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,200 | $39,200 | $25,343 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $36,100 | $36,100 | $23,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $35,500 | $35,500 | $22,455 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,000 | $35,000 | $25,469 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $33,900 | $33,900 | $26,356 |
| Biology, General | $33,600 | $33,600 | $22,687 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $33,000 | $33,000 | $24,906 |
| Psychology, General | $31,400 | $31,400 | $24,200 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $28,200 | $28,200 | $25,500 |
Similar Colleges in ND
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Grand Forks, ND
- Student Body
- 9,981 students
- Admission Rate
- 77%
- Graduation Rate
- 62%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,551
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $63,552
- Median Student Debt
- $22,057