Head-to-head comparison
University of North Dakota vs University of Mary: which has better ROI?
Option A Grand Forks, ND
University of North Dakota
- Net price / year
- $18,551
- Earnings, 10 years
- $63,552
- Payback
- 4.9 yrs
Option B Bismarck, ND
University of Mary
- Net price / year
- $17,770
- Earnings, 10 years
- $60,909
- Payback
- 5.7 yrs
University of North Dakota has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $74,204 in 4.9 years versus 5.7 years at University of Mary, on median earnings of $63,552 vs $60,909 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of North Dakota | University of Mary |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,551 | $17,770 |
| Total net cost | $74,204 | $71,080 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,552 | $60,909 |
| Median debt | $22,057 | $24,000 |
| Payback | 4.9 yrs | 5.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $229,636 | $179,900 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of North Dakota or University of Mary?
University of Mary, at $17,770 a year after aid versus $18,551 — a gap of $781 a year, or $3,124 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 University of North Dakota or University of Mary graduates earn more?
University of North Dakota graduates report a median $63,552 ten years after entry, $2,643 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, University of North Dakota or University of Mary?
University of North Dakota: its completers carry a median $22,057 in federal loans versus $24,000 at University of Mary, a difference of $1,943. 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 60% at University of North Dakota. 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.