Head-to-head comparison
North Dakota State University-Main Campus vs University of Mary: which has better ROI?
Option A Fargo, ND
North Dakota State University-Main Campus
- Net price / year
- $15,543
- Earnings, 10 years
- $62,203
- Payback
- 4.5 yrs
Option B Bismarck, ND
University of Mary
- Net price / year
- $17,770
- Earnings, 10 years
- $60,909
- Payback
- 5.7 yrs
North Dakota State University-Main Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $62,172 in 4.5 years versus 5.7 years at University of Mary, on median earnings of $62,203 vs $60,909 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | North Dakota State University-Main Campus | University of Mary |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,543 | $17,770 |
| Total net cost | $62,172 | $71,080 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,203 | $60,909 |
| Median debt | $23,199 | $24,000 |
| Payback | 4.5 yrs | 5.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $214,688 | $179,900 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, North Dakota State University-Main Campus or University of Mary?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus, at $15,543 a year after aid versus $17,770 — a gap of $2,227 a year, or $8,908 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 North Dakota State University-Main Campus or University of Mary graduates earn more?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus graduates report a median $62,203 ten years after entry, $1,294 more than the $60,909 at University of Mary. 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, North Dakota State University-Main Campus or University of Mary?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus: its completers carry a median $23,199 in federal loans versus $24,000 at University of Mary, a difference of $801. 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?
67% of students finish at University of Mary, against 64% at North Dakota State University-Main Campus. 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.