North Dakota: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Officially University of North Dakota · Grand Forks, North Dakota · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
Ranked #227 (tie) in National Universities; Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #160 (tie), Business Programs #199 (tie), Computer Science #235 (tie), Nursing #135 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set published by University of North Dakota (see the source).
Is North Dakota a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places North Dakota against it in about a minute. No account needed.
North Dakota is a public university in Grand Forks, North Dakota that admits about 77% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $18,551 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Air Transportation, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Psychology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.6 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
North Dakota is a public institution located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. For the most recent reporting cycle, North Dakota admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 77%. Admitted students typically post an ACT composite around 23. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $18,551 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?
North Dakota 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.
Compare North Dakota with the other schools on your list
Open North Dakota in College Search to set it beside up to three other colleges on cost, admission odds and outcomes, and save it to a shortlist when you are ready.
SAT and ACT scores North Dakota typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year, so check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
| 25th percentile | n/a |
| 50th percentile | 23 |
| 75th percentile | n/a |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • ACT/SAT not required for freshman admission; core course requirements apply.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on North Dakota's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
How much does North Dakota actually cost?
Published tuition is $10,951 for in-state students and $15,570 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $11,390 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $18,551 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 17% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $18,551 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
Application deadlines and early decision data for North Dakota
Most popular majors at North Dakota
The most popular undergraduate programs at North Dakota, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Air Transportation, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Psychology, General. Across all programs, North Dakota confers roughly 934 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Air Transportation program report a median income of about $91,399 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Air Transportation | 298 | $91,399 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 123 | $78,210 |
| Psychology, General | 117 | $55,670 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 101 | $58,428 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 77 | $88,823 |
| Biology, General | 75 | $72,158 |
| Social Work | 72 | $54,263 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 71 | $49,029 |
Is North Dakota safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), North Dakota disclosed 26 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.6 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 4 violent offenses and 9 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
- University of Alabama77% acceptance · Alabama
- Seattle University77% acceptance · Washington
- University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus77% acceptance · Oklahoma
- Willamette University77% acceptance · Oregon
- University of Idaho76% acceptance · Idaho
- Oregon State University77% acceptance · Oregon
- Loyola University Maryland75% acceptance · Maryland
Next steps for North Dakota
Common questions parents ask about North Dakota
What GPA do I need for North Dakota?
North Dakota 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 typically admit?
North Dakota does not publish standardized test ranges in the most recent reporting cycle. Scores are optional here, and a strong one can still help when the rest of the application is borderline.
How much does North Dakota actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at North Dakota after grants and scholarships is $18,551 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $10,951 and $15,570 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is North Dakota realistic for my child?
North Dakota admits 77% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $18,551 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at North Dakota?
North Dakota accepts about 77% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is North Dakota test-optional?
Yes. North Dakota is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
Is North Dakota a public or private school, and where is it located?
North Dakota is a public institution located in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
What are the most popular majors at North Dakota?
The largest undergraduate majors at North Dakota by annual graduates are Air Transportation, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Psychology, General. The school awards about 934 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is North Dakota safe? What is its campus crime rate?
North Dakota reported 26 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.6 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 University of North Dakota, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers