Head-to-head comparison
Minot State University vs North Dakota State College of Science: which has better ROI?
Option A Minot, ND
Minot State University
- Net price / year
- $12,703
- Earnings, 10 years
- $51,759
- Payback
- 14.9 yrs
Option B Wahpeton, ND
North Dakota State College of Science
- Net price / year
- $11,261
- Earnings, 10 years
- $50,513
- Payback
- 10.5 yrs
North Dakota State College of Science has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $22,522 in 10.5 years versus 14.9 years at Minot State University, on median earnings of $50,513 vs $51,759 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Minot State University | North Dakota State College of Science |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,703 | $11,261 |
| Total net cost | $50,812 | $22,522 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,759 | $50,513 |
| Median debt | $19,609 | $12,000 |
| Payback | 14.9 yrs | 10.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $17,168 | $20,538 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Minot State University or North Dakota State College of Science?
North Dakota State College of Science, at $11,261 a year after aid versus $12,703 — a gap of $1,442 a year, or $28,290 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Minot State University or North Dakota State College of Science graduates earn more?
Minot State University graduates report a median $51,759 ten years after entry, $1,246 more than the $50,513 at North Dakota State College of Science. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Minot State University or North Dakota State College of Science?
North Dakota State College of Science: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $19,609 at Minot State University, a difference of $7,609. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
55% of students finish at North Dakota State College of Science, against 45% at Minot State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.