2023-2024 Estimated Cost of Attendance
Below you will find the estimated costs for the 2023-2024 academic year,* as well as a breakdown and explanation of fees. If you’re looking for detailed information about paying tuition and fees or answers to common billing questions, check out our tuition and payment resources.
| Tuition Type | North Dakota Residents | Minnesota Residents | Montana and South Dakota Residents | Other States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Tuition* | $9,309 | $10,426 | $11,170 | $13,963 |
| Architecture and Landscape Architecture Tuition | $12,384 | $13,870 | $14,861 | $18,576 |
| Business Tuition | $9,751 | $10,921 | $11,701 | $14,627 |
| Computer Science | $10,243 | $11,472 | $12,292 | $15,365 |
| Engineering Tuition | $10,243 | $11,472 | $12,292 | $15,365 |
| Nursing Tuition | $11,090 | $12,421 | $13,308 | $16,634 |
| Pharmacy Tuition | $18,825 | $20,519 | $22,590 | $28,237 |
*Differential Tuition is assessed to students in selected programs to cover the costs of additional resources and facilities associated with those programs. Differential tuition is typically assessed to students accepted into the professional phase of the program. The differential tuition replaces the base tuition.
Student Fees, Housing and Meal Plan
| Fee Type | Domestic Undergraduates |
|---|---|
| Student Fees | $1,748 |
| Housing | $4,488 |
| Meal Plan | $5,145 |
| Books | $800 |
If you're an international undergraduate applicant, please view the Estimate of Expenses.
Costs Explained
Student Fees
Student fees cover the costs of selected university programs such as career and advising services and student health services, admission to fine arts and athletic events, student publications, wellness center membership, library services and ongoing technology needs on campus. Student fees also provide for services aimed at promoting student success and retention including but not limited to orientation and welcome week programs, tutoring services and family programs. In addition to student fees, all students will be charged a one-time $200 non-refundable new student fee to cover the cost of orientation, registration, welcome week and family programs.
Housing and Meal Plan
Several room-and-board arrangements are available for on-campus housing. The costs presented here reflect a weighted average of residence hall rates and living arrangements most commonly selected by new first-year students, including a seven-day unlimited meal plan.
Books and Supplies
Students should plan on spending approximately $800 per year for books and supplies and approximately $3,476 per year for personal expenses and transportation.
Program Fees
Program fees are assessed in addition to tuition and support program needs for a limited number of programs. For specific fees, see One Stop.
More information on costs, additional fees and payment plans is available from One Stop.
Minnesota Residents
An agreement between North Dakota and Minnesota makes students eligible for tuition comparable to resident tuition. Students graduating from a Minnesota high school who enroll at NDSU within 12 months of graduating automatically qualify for this rate. Transfer students, home-schooled students and students earning a GED must apply for this rate at www.ohe.state.mn.us.
Alumni Dependents
Children and spouses of North Dakota University System (NDUS) college and university graduates may be eligible for reduced tuition at NDSU. New undergraduate students who are not North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana or South Dakota residents are eligible for a tuition rate equal to the Montana/South Dakota resident rate.
Employee Family Discount
Spouses and dependents of NDSU employees may be eligible for a tuition discount equal to one-half of the tuition cost for NDSU classes. Please contact the Office of Human Resources to complete the paperwork at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the term.
Money Management
NDSU is committed to making sure that students succeed throughout their college career and beyond. Therefore, financial literacy, as well as money and debt management education, is very important.
Please visit our Personal Finance Tips & Resources for College Students below:
Create a Budget
Once you move away to college, a budget becomes crucial. Map out your various streams of income, including money your parents will provide, income from a job, and money coming from student loans, grants and other types of financial aid. Then, categorize expenses so you know where it’s all going. You’ll feel more in control if you follow a budget and have a clear picture of what is and isn’t affordable.
The trick with any budget is sticking to it. Once you have determined your budget, take some time to learn how to make smart money choices that fall within the budget. College students should become masters at exploring the ways their educational status can save money. For example, try to choose free or low-cost social activities such as NDSU athletic events or city-sponsored events. Ask about student discounts at events or restaurants, use the free MAT bus for transportation, etc.
Another helpful tool is the online budgeting service, Mint. It makes money management easy and convenient and is available as a free app on your smartphone. Mint enables you to upload bank account and expense information so you can manage all of your accounts in one place. This ensures fewer missed payments and penalties and easy access to account balances.
Minimize Student Debt
Spend Your Money on the Right Things
Even if loans look like “free money” now, they have to be repaid, even if you file bankruptcy. Don’t borrow more than you need, and use your student loans only for tuition, books, housing, food plans, etc. Don't use student loans for social outings, new clothes or video games.
Borrow Only What’s Required
The amount of student loans you borrow should commensurate with the type of salary available once you obtain your degree. Borrowing more than you need to fund an extravagant campus lifestyle could become a serious indebtedness problem later. You’ve heard it before: ”Live like a college student now so you don’t have to later." To determine what an affordable loan payment and debt would be based on your expected income, use the Student Loan Calculator.
Fund Extras with a Job
If you want to fund a social life, it should be done with a part-time job, not with federal student aid. Adapt the “pay now” policy for nonessential purchases so you don’t have to pay for them later with added interest. If you are looking for a part-time job, check out the Handshake online job board that is solely for NDSU students and alumni.
Take Care with Credit Cards
Credit card companies prey on students, banking on the notion that freshmen are strapped for cash and excited about the prospect of “easy” money. They also expect students to be careless with credit cards, racking up late fees and high interest payments. If you’re set on having a credit card, shop around for the best one with the lowest interest and fees. Weigh the pros and cons and set a reasonably low spending limit. Manage it wisely, using it only for emergencies, and pay off the balance (on time) every month. Also, keep in mind that credit cards are not the only way to build credit.
Protect Personal Information
When it comes to identity theft, college students are some of the hardest hit. According to Javelin Strategy and Research, the 18 to 24 demographic has the highest risk for identity theft. Not only that, the average individual from that demographic took 132 days to detect and report the fraud.
It’s simple: If possible, do not share personal information. Simple things like giving a password to a friend, providing your social security number where it is unnecessary or leaving personal documents lying around can increase your chance for identity theft. To catch theft before it goes too far, check your bank and credit accounts regularly and report any suspicious activity immediately. While identity watch services are available, the monthly fees may not fit into your budget. Instead, make sure you pay close attention to your accounts and order a free credit report from all three of the reporting bureaus annually.
Additional Resources
Village Financial Resource Center
If your borrowing or spending has gotten out of hand, there is help. The Village Financial Resource Center, a program of The Village Family Service Center, provides financial counseling programs and services. They can be reached by calling 1-800-450-4019 or emailing moneyhelp@thevillagefamily.org.
Money Smart
Money Smart is a computer-based instruction consisting of eleven modules that cover basic financial topics ranging from banking to rebuilding credit.
CashCourse
A real-life guide to taking charge of your money using online personal finance tools to help build financial skills.
Jump$tart
A coalition of diverse financial organizations working together to educate and prepare our nation’s youth for financial success.