North Dakota State University-Main Campus: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Fargo, North Dakota · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
Or open North Dakota State University-Main Campus in College Search to compare programs, costs and outcomes side by side.
North Dakota State University-Main Campus is a public university in Fargo, North Dakota that admits about 95% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $15,543 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Mechanical Engineering and Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 3.0 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
North Dakota State University-Main Campus is a public institution located in Fargo, North Dakota. For the most recent reporting cycle, North Dakota State University-Main Campus admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 95%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1150 and an ACT composite around 23. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $15,543 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for North Dakota State University-Main Campus?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
SAT and ACT scores North Dakota State University-Main Campus typically admits
The middle-50 ACT composite range is 19–25. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | — |
| 50th percentile | 1150 |
| 75th percentile | — |
| 25th percentile | 19 |
| 50th percentile | 23 |
| 75th percentile | 25 |
How much does North Dakota State University-Main Campus actually cost?
Published tuition is $11,110 for in-state students and $15,764 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $9,928 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $15,543 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 20% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $15,543 |
Application deadlines and early decision data for North Dakota State University-Main Campus
Most popular majors at North Dakota State University-Main Campus
The most popular undergraduate programs at North Dakota State University-Main Campus, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Mechanical Engineering and Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. Across all programs, North Dakota State University-Main Campus confers roughly 983 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program report a median income of about $71,767 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 204 | $71,767 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 154 | $86,495 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 144 | $45,968 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 135 | $61,984 |
| Psychology, General | 99 | $50,573 |
| Biology, General | 96 | $49,471 |
| Computer Science | 78 | $88,466 |
| Civil Engineering | 73 | $81,230 |
Is North Dakota State University-Main Campus safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), North Dakota State University-Main Campus disclosed 28 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 3.0 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 2 violent offenses and 8 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
Other colleges in North Dakota parents ask about
Colleges that admit at a similar rate
- Baker University94% acceptance · Kansas
- University of New Mexico-Main Campus95% acceptance · New Mexico
- Wichita State University94% acceptance · Kansas
- Belmont University95% acceptance · Tennessee
- University of Kansas93% acceptance · Kansas
- University of Hartford96% acceptance · Connecticut
- University of Kentucky93% acceptance · Kentucky
Next steps for North Dakota State University-Main Campus
Common questions parents ask about North Dakota State University-Main Campus
What GPA do I need for North Dakota State University-Main Campus?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What SAT or ACT score does North Dakota State University-Main Campus typically admit?
The middle-50 ACT composite range is 19–25.
How much does North Dakota State University-Main Campus actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at North Dakota State University-Main Campus after grants and scholarships is $15,543 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $11,110 and $15,764 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is North Dakota State University-Main Campus realistic for my child?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus admits 95% of applicants, so 19–25 ACT is target range and below 19 is a reach. Then check the $15,543 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at North Dakota State University-Main Campus?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus accepts about 95% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is North Dakota State University-Main Campus a public or private school, and where is it located?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus is a public institution located in Fargo, North Dakota.
What are the most popular majors at North Dakota State University-Main Campus?
The largest undergraduate majors at North Dakota State University-Main Campus by annual graduates are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Mechanical Engineering and Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. The school awards about 983 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is North Dakota State University-Main Campus safe? What is its campus crime rate?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus reported 28 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 3.0 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by North Dakota State University-Main Campus, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers