Fargo, ND · Private University
Is North Dakota State University-Main Campus Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$62,203
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$10,857
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$15,511
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$62,044
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
4.01x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
2.3 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
63.7%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$23,199
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$16,334
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
North Dakota State University-Main Campus graduates earn $17,203 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at North Dakota State University-Main Campus ranked by graduate earnings
39 graduates
67 graduates
184 graduates
36 graduates
32 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at North Dakota State University-Main Campus
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At North Dakota State University-Main Campus, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Engineering: $107,333) and the lowest (Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians: $37,074) is $70,259/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer EngineeringBest ROI | $107,333 | 6.9x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $80,276 | 5.2x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $79,027 | 5.1x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $77,978 | 5.0x |
| Industrial Engineering | $74,773 | 4.8x |
| Construction Engineering Technologies(1yr data) | $74,199 | 4.8x |
| Computer Science | $73,998 | 4.8x |
| Civil Engineering | $71,381 | 4.6x |
| Agricultural Mechanization | $68,735 | 4.4x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $68,601 | 4.4x |
| Agricultural Production Operations | $67,867 | 4.4x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $64,237 | 4.1x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $62,889 | 4.0x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $62,648 | 4.0x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $62,441 | 4.0x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $62,322 | 4.0x |
| Political Science and Government | $62,098 | 4.0x |
| Marketing | $58,602 | 3.8x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $56,473 | 3.6x |
| Agriculture, General(1yr data) | $55,828 | 3.6x |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $52,965 | 3.4x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $51,293 | 3.3x |
| Biology, General | $49,894 | 3.2x |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $49,863 | 3.2x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $49,456 | 3.2x |
| Plant Sciences(1yr data) | $49,048 | 3.2x |
| Sociology | $48,327 | 3.1x |
| Natural Resources Management and Policy | $48,273 | 3.1x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $48,240 | 3.1x |
| Apparel and Textiles | $48,095 | 3.1x |
| Business/Corporate Communications | $47,638 | 3.1x |
| Animal Sciences | $47,576 | 3.1x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $46,653 | 3.0x |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $45,621 | 2.9x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $44,475 | 2.9x |
| Psychology, General | $43,659 | 2.8x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $43,424 | 2.8x |
| Homeland Security(1yr data) | $42,802 | 2.8x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $41,098 | 2.6x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $39,825 | 2.6x |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/TechniciansLowest | $37,074 | 2.4x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
North Dakota State University-Main Campus stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $62,203 10 years after starting, $17,203 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 2.3 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.