Grand Forks, ND · Private University
Is University of North Dakota Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$63,552
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$10,951
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$15,570
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$62,280
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
4.08x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
2.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
63.3%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$22,057
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$18,998
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of North Dakota graduates earn $18,552 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 University of North Dakota ranked by graduate earnings
47 graduates
37 graduates
32 graduates
115 graduates
45 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of North Dakota
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of North Dakota, the gap between the highest-earning major (Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering: $91,053) and the lowest (Zoology/Animal Biology: $24,721) is $66,332/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications EngineeringBest ROI | $91,053 | 5.8x |
| Chemical Engineering | $88,123 | 5.7x |
| Petroleum Engineering | $86,097 | 5.5x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $82,886 | 5.3x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $78,739 | 5.1x |
| Civil Engineering | $74,705 | 4.8x |
| Air Transportation | $74,569 | 4.8x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $64,294 | 4.1x |
| Marketing | $64,234 | 4.1x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $62,317 | 4.0x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $60,349 | 3.9x |
| Biology, General | $60,146 | 3.9x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $56,660 | 3.6x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $56,582 | 3.6x |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $54,055 | 3.5x |
| Computer Systems Analysis(1yr data) | $53,865 | 3.5x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $53,606 | 3.4x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $50,475 | 3.2x |
| Social Work | $49,870 | 3.2x |
| Psychology, General | $46,930 | 3.0x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $46,659 | 3.0x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $41,931 | 2.7x |
| Social Sciences, General(1yr data) | $34,490 | 2.2x |
| Zoology/Animal BiologyLowest(1yr data) | $24,721 | 1.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
University of North Dakota stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $63,552 10 years after starting, $18,552 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 2.2 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.