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ISU Minnesota University of Minnesota-Duluth MSU Moorhead University of North Dakota South Dakota State University Concordia College at Moorhead South Dakota School of Mines and Technology WSC Iowa St. Cloud State University Umary| University of Nebraska at Kearney | North Dakota State University Main Campus | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
UNK | NDSU | ||
| Location | Kearney, NE | Fargo, ND | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Midsize City | ||
| Enrollment | 6,041 | 12,242 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #571 | #568 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | unk.edu | ndsu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
UNK | NDSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $6,220 | $9,309 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $12,036 | $13,963 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,390 | $9,300 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $16,564 | $15,962 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $7,282 | $5,732 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 77% |
Admission |
UNK | NDSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 6,794 | 8,535 | ||
| Admitted | 5,842 | 8,166 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 86% | 95.7% | ||
| Enrolled % | 14.8% | 30.8% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.24 | 3.53 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Moderate | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 19/25 | 19/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 1000/1200 | 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 15, 2025 | Aug 1, 2025 |
Academics |
UNK | NDSU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 13:1 | 17:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
UNK | NDSU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 61% | 54% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $43,400 | $53,600 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 71% | 81% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $21,250 | $23,300 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $219 | $240 |
Diversity |
UNK | NDSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 34% | 49% | ||
| % Women | 66% | 51% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 79% | 86% | ||
| % Black | 2% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 11% | 2% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 2% | ||
| % International | 5% | 3% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 2% |
Students |
UNK | NDSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 85% | 35% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 11% | 65% | ||
Campus |
UNK | NDSU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- North Dakota State University Main Campus is larger than than UNK based on total student enrollment (12,242 students vs. 6,041 students)
UNK vs. NDSU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, UNK or NDSU?
- North Dakota State University Main Campus is 49.7% more expensive to attend than UNK for in-state tuition ($9,309.00 vs. $6,220.00)
- Out of state tuition is 16% higher at NDSU than University of Nebraska at Kearney ($13,963.00 vs. $12,036.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Dakota State University Main Campus than UNK ($15,962 vs. $16,564)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Dakota State University Main Campus are 22.5% lower than costs at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($9,300 vs. $11,390)
- More students receive financial grant aid at University of Nebraska at Kearney than North Dakota State University Main Campus (100% vs. 77%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by University of Nebraska at Kearney students is 27% larger than aid received North Dakota State University Main Campus ($7,282 vs. $5,732)
UNK vs. NDSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, UNK or NDSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NDSU or UNK .
- The average SAT score at North Dakota State University Main Campus (1091) is 42 points higher than at UNK (1049)
- Incoming NDSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at UNK (23)
- Accepted freshman NDSU students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at UNK (3.24)
- NDSU has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than UNK (86%)
UNK vs. NDSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, UNK 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 UNK.
- The graduation rate at UNK is higher than North Dakota State University Main Campus (61% vs. 54%)
- Graduates from North Dakota State University Main Campus earn on average $10,200 more per year than UNK graduates after ten years. ($53,600 vs. $43,400)
- University of Nebraska at Kearney students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than NDSU graduates. ($21,250 vs. $23,300)
- UNK graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than NDSU graduates. ($219 vs. $240)
- More NDSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNK students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 71%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/