North Central University vs. NDSU

Should I go to North Central University or North Dakota State University Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if North Central University 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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North Central University vs. North Dakota State University Main Campus comparison
North Central University North Dakota State University Main Campus College 3 College 4
North Central University North Dakota State University Main Campus
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Overview

North Central University NDSU
Location Minneapolis, MN Fargo, ND
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 984 11,952
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #591
Religious Affiliation Assemblies of God Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website northcentral.edu ndsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

North Central University NDSU
Tuition (In State) $28,500 $9,309
Tuition (Out of State) $28,500 $13,963
Room & Board $9,380 $9,565
Avg Net Price $23,694 $16,461
Avg Grant Aid $18,521 $5,841
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 78%

Admission

North Central University NDSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 621 7,331
Admitted 564 7,024
Acceptance Rate 90.8% 95.8%
Enrolled % 39.4% 31.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 19/25
SAT Range 950/1148 968/1216
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jun 1, 2026 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

North Central University NDSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (36%)
  • Education (11%)
  • General Studies (9%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Engineering (14%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Agriculture (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

North Central University NDSU
Graduation Rate 40% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $33,300 $53,600
Making Student Loan Payments 68% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $23,300
Median Loan Payment $258 $240

Diversity

North Central University NDSU
% Men 6% 9%
% Women 7% 9%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 86%
% Black 4% 3%
% Hispanic 6% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

North Central University NDSU
% In-State 33% 35%
% Out-of-State 47% 65%

Campus

North Central University 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 North Central University based on total student enrollment (11,952 students vs. 984 students)

North Central University vs. NDSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Central University or NDSU?

  • North Central University is 206.2% more expensive to attend than NDSU for in-state tuition ($28,500.00 vs. $9,309.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 104.1% higher at North Central University than North Dakota State University Main Campus ($28,500.00 vs. $13,963.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Dakota State University Main Campus than North Central University ($16,461 vs. $23,694)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Central University are 2% lower than costs at North Dakota State University Main Campus ($9,380 vs. $9,565)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at North Central University than North Dakota State University Main Campus (94% vs. 78%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Central University students is 217.1% larger than aid received North Dakota State University Main Campus ($18,521 vs. $5,841)

North Central University vs. NDSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at North Dakota State University Main Campus (1091) is 67 points higher than at North Central University (1024)
  • Incoming NDSU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at North Central University (22)
  • Accepted freshman NDSU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at North Central University (3.4)
  • NDSU has a higher acceptance rate (95.8%) than North Central University (90.8%)

North Central University vs. NDSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, North Central University 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 North Central University.

  • The graduation rate at NDSU is higher than North Central University (54% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from North Dakota State University Main Campus earn on average $20,300 more per year than North Central University graduates after ten years. ($53,600 vs. $33,300)
  • North Dakota State University Main Campus students graduate with a $1,700 lower median federal student loan debt than North Central University graduates. ($23,300 vs. $25,000)
  • NDSU graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than North Central University graduates. ($240 vs. $258)
  • More NDSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Central University students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 68%)

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