College Spotlight North Dakota State

By: Johnathan Wiggins

North Dakota State University is a public research university located in Fargo, North Dakota. This institution was founded as North Dakota Agricultural College in 1890 as the research land-grant institution for the state. It is a doctoral university and is classified as having very high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation. As of 2018, NDSU offers 102 undergraduate majors, 170 undergraduate degree programs, 6 undergraduate certificate programs, etc. The university also operates the North Dakota’s agricultural research extension centers which is located across the state on 18,488 ascres. The main campus site is on 258 acres of land and consists of over 100 major buildings. The appearance of the main campus is maintained by the university’s extensive agricultural programs.

North Dakota State University’s Main Campus tuition is $7,201 per year for in-state residents. This is 10% more expensive than the average public four year tuition of $7,203. The cost is 3% cheaper than the average North Dakota tuition of $8,197 for four year colleges. If attending from out-of-state, the tuition is $19,227 which represents a 167% premium. On campus room and board is provided by the school at a cost of $8,586 per academic year. Students electing to live off campus elsewhere in Fargo should budget at least this amount. The estimated annual cost for books and supplies is $800. The total tuition and living expense budget for in-state North Dakota residents to go to NDSU is $21,452 for the academic year that you attend. 

The North Dakota State Bison Football program represents North Dakota University in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Champion Subdivision level and competes in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The Bison play in the 19,000 seat Fargodome located in Fargo. The Bison have won fifteen national championships and 35 conference championships. They have won five consecutive NCAA Division I FCS National Championships between 2011 and 2015 as well as two more in 2017 and 2018. NDSU is the only college football program to ever win five consecutive NCAA national championships, and the only football program to win seven FCS titles. The Bison have an overall record of 35-2 in postseason play since becoming eligible in 2008. 

North Dakota State is one of those very good schools that people don't know or forget about. This would be a great school to attend no matter what you want to do in the future because they have many great programs. Even if you were worried about living on campus, there are many great communities around the school and shouldn't have trouble finding a place to live without worrying about money situations.