Fitchburg State vs. NDSU

Should I go to Fitchburg State University or North Dakota State University Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Fitchburg State or NDSU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Fitchburg State University vs. North Dakota State University Main Campus comparison
Fitchburg State University North Dakota State University Main Campus College 3 College 4
Fitchburg State University North Dakota State University Main Campus
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Overview

Fitchburg State NDSU
Location Fitchburg, MA Fargo, ND
Setting Midsize Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 6,554 12,242
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #549 #568
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fitchburgstate.edu ndsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fitchburg State NDSU
Tuition (In State) $970 $9,309
Tuition (Out of State) $7,050 $13,963
Room & Board $13,516 $9,300
Avg Net Price $15,535 $15,962
Avg Grant Aid $7,093 $5,732
% Receiving Grant Aid 76% 77%

Admission

Fitchburg State NDSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,084 8,535
Admitted 2,654 8,166
Acceptance Rate 86.1% 95.7%
Enrolled % 18.3% 30.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.29 3.53
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/28 19/25
SAT Range 1020/1220 968/1216
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Fitchburg State NDSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • General Studies (16%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Engineering (14%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Agriculture (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Fitchburg State NDSU
Graduation Rate 47% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,000 $53,600
Making Student Loan Payments 65% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,685 $23,300
Median Loan Payment $234 $240

Diversity

Fitchburg State NDSU
% Men 38% 49%
% Women 62% 51%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 73% 86%
% Black 9% 3%
% Hispanic 11% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

Fitchburg State NDSU
% In-State 90% 35%
% Out-of-State 10% 65%

Campus

Fitchburg State NDSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • North Dakota State University Main Campus is larger than than Fitchburg State based on total student enrollment (12,242 students vs. 6,554 students)

Fitchburg State vs. NDSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State or NDSU?

  • North Dakota State University Main Campus is 859.7% more expensive to attend than Fitchburg State for in-state tuition ($9,309.00 vs. $970.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 98.1% higher at NDSU than Fitchburg State University ($13,963.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fitchburg State University than NDSU ($15,535 vs. $15,962)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Dakota State University Main Campus are 45.3% lower than costs at Fitchburg State University ($9,300 vs. $13,516)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at North Dakota State University Main Campus than Fitchburg State University (77% vs. 76%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fitchburg State University students is 23.7% larger than aid received North Dakota State University Main Campus ($7,093 vs. $5,732)

Fitchburg State vs. NDSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State or NDSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NDSU or Fitchburg State .

  • The average SAT score at North Dakota State University Main Campus (1091) is 98 points higher than at Fitchburg State (993)
  • Incoming NDSU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Fitchburg State (21)
  • Accepted freshman NDSU students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29)
  • NDSU has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than Fitchburg State (86.1%)

Fitchburg State vs. NDSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Fitchburg State or NDSU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between NDSU and Fitchburg State.

  • The graduation rate at NDSU is higher than Fitchburg State University (54% vs. 47%)
  • Graduates from North Dakota State University Main Campus earn on average $9,600 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates after ten years. ($53,600 vs. $44,000)
  • Fitchburg State University students graduate with a $615 lower median federal student loan debt than NDSU graduates. ($22,685 vs. $23,300)
  • Fitchburg State graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than NDSU graduates. ($234 vs. $240)
  • More NDSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fitchburg State students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 65%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/