Here’s an in-depth look at whether the University of North Dakota (UND) is “expensive,” covering tuition, living costs, aid, and value—with clear explanations and data-backed insights.
1. 🎓 Tuition & Fees
In‑State vs. Out‑of‑State
North Dakota residents: $10,951/year (2024–25), including tuition and mandatory fees
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Out-of-state students: $15,570/year, also covering tuition and fees
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How this compares:
ND residents pay slightly below the national average of ~$12,200.
Out-of-state tuition ($15.6K) is well below the national average (~$29,000) .
2. 💰 Total Cost of Attendance
Beyond tuition, make sure to consider room, board, books, supplies, etc.:
For In‑State Students:
Sticker cost: ~$26,197/year
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Net cost (after need-based aid): ~$21,097/year
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For Out‑of‑State Students:
Sticker cost: ~$30,816/year
Net cost (after aid): ~$25,311/year
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UND also reports a sample cost of attendance around $23,141/year for in-state students, which considers grants average ~$9,405—bringing the net down to ~$13,736/year
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3. 🏠 Housing & Living Expenses
On-Campus Rates
Dorm room: ~$586–686/month depending on room type
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On-campus apartments: ~$481–688/month
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Average on-campus housing runs roughly $578/month, or ~$11,390/year for room & board ─ nearly $1,000 lower annually than off-campus options .
Off-Campus
Typical rent: ~$933–1,035 for studios and 1‑bedrooms
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Cost of living in Grand Forks: ~10% below the national average with rent averaging $833–1,474/month
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Redditors confirm:
Rent is around ~$400/month with roommates, but groceries cost 10–20% more than larger cities
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Overall, living costs (housing, food, utilities, transport) are roughly 14,492/year, same for on- and off-campus
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4. 🎁 Financial Aid & Scholarships
UND provides significant financial support:
Average aid: ~$13,500 per student annually
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Grants & scholarships: ~ $9,405/year (undergraduates)
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77% of students receive aid
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Post-aid, in-state net cost can drop to the $13,700–21,100 range; out-of-state to ~$25,000/year.
5. ⚖️ Is UND Expensive?
By Tuition Standards:
In-state: Lower than national average.
Out-of-state: Also significantly below.
By Total Cost:
Pricier than some ND public universities (e.g. tuition & fees at Bismarck State ~$7K), but not excessive when factoring aid.
By Cost of Living:
Grand Forks is generally affordable—10% cheaper than national average.
Off-campus housing and groceries are modest, though food can cost more than large metro areas.
Verdict:
If you’re a North Dakota resident, UND is among the more affordable flagship universities, especially when leveraging aid. For out-of-state or international students, the total price is higher but still relatively reasonable—particularly when considering the strong financial aid support.
6. ✅ Value & Return on Investment
Employment outcomes: 87% of grads secure jobs related to their degree; average starting salary ~$55K
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Military students: All can access ND in-state tuition regardless of origin
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Special programs: Engineering scholarships like “Grand Challenge,” GI Bill benefits for veterans
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7. Final Thoughts
Category In‑State Student Out‑of‑State Student
Tuition & Fees $10,951/year $15,570/year
Total Cost Before Aid $26K–30K/year $30K+/year
Net Cost After Aid ~$13.7K–21.1K/year ~$25K/year
Living Costs Modest (~$14.5K/year) Same
Value High ROI, solid job stats Still good, especially if aid secured
In-state students enjoy a high return at a lower cost.
Out-of-state/international students pay more but can offset with aid, and still benefit from UND’s outcomes and support programs.
Conclusion
UND strikes a solid balance—affordable relative to national benchmarks, especially for North Dakota residents, and backed by robust aid, job outcomes, and veteran-friendly policies.
If you’d like deeper info—like breakdowns per program (e.g. medical, law), scholarship types, or planning based on your resident status—I’m happy to dive further!