Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Fargo, North Dakota |
| Online | ndsu.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Midsize City |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
North Dakota State University (NDSU), located in Fargo, North Dakota's largest city, occupies a 258-acre main campus near the Minnesota border. The land-grant institution, established in 1890 as North Dakota Agricultural College, serves as a major research university with significant focus on agriculture, engineering, pharmacy, and business programs. The campus features a mix of historic brick buildings and modern academic facilities, with residence halls housing primarily first-year students and apartment-style options for upperclassmen. NDSU competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Bison, with the football program achieving notable success in the Football Championship Subdivision, winning multiple national championships.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
NDSU is rated within the top 50% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for North Dakota State University Main Campus within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#591 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#189 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#3 in Best Colleges in North Dakota
#2 in Best Public Colleges in North Dakota
#558 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#3 in Best Value Colleges in North Dakota
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 968/1216 |
| ACT | 19/25 |
| GPA | 3.53 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Aug 1, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
North Dakota Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $800 |
| Other Fees | $1,548 |
| Room and Board | $9,565 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,476 |
| Total One Year Cost | $24,698 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $800 |
| Other Fees | $1,548 |
| Room and Board | $9,565 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,476 |
| Total One Year Cost | $29,352 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 19% |
| Engineering | 14% |
| Health Professions | 9% |
| Agriculture | 8% |
| Biology | 7% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering NDSU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=200332 IPEDS survey data for North Dakota State University Main Campus.
Current students may use the North Dakota State University Main Campus GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025