Cost & ROI · 2026
Is North Dakota State University-Main Campus worth it?
Pay $15,543/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $62,203 ten years out — about 4.0× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: B.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
North Dakota State University-Main Campus vs North Dakota avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical North Dakota college and the typical US college.
| Metric | North Dakota State University-Main Campus | North Dakota avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $15,543 | $12,158 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▲ $62,203 | $46,564 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▼ $23,199 | $17,873 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 63.9% | 46.5% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▲ 95% | 70.2% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $94,864 over four years. Most students get $8,173/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $23,199 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 37% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median North Dakota State University-Main Campus grad earns about $688,120 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about North Dakota State University-Main Campus
The average student at North Dakota State University-Main Campus pays $15,543 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $23,716 published sticker price. That is above the ND average net price of $12,158.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $62,203 — above the ND median of $46,564. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $23,199, roughly $252 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 37% of one year's median earnings.
Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at North Dakota State University-Main Campus?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $15,543 per year. That's $8,173/yr in financial aid against the $23,716 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $62,172.
How much do North Dakota State University-Main Campus graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, North Dakota State University-Main Campus graduates earn a median of $62,203 per year — above the national average of $50,834. That's about 4.0× the annual net cost.
How much debt do North Dakota State University-Main Campus graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $23,199 — about $252/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 52% of students take federal loans.
Is North Dakota State University-Main Campus worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns North Dakota State University-Main Campus a value grade of B — top 29% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $15,543/yr, earn $62,203/yr ten years out, ROI score of 10.00. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at North Dakota State University-Main Campus?
19.7% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 52% take federal student loans. On average, students get $8,173 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at North Dakota State University-Main Campus?
In-state tuition is $11,110 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $15,764 per year — a difference of $4,654/yr or $18,616 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at North Dakota State University-Main Campus?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $9,370. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $18,856. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →