North Dakota State University is a student-focused, land-grant, research university — an economic engine that educates students, conducts primary research, creates new knowledge and advances technology. The university provides affordable access to an excellent education at a top-ranked research institution that combines teaching and research in a rich learning environment, educating future leaders who will create solutions to national and global challenges that will shape a better world. 

Student focused

• Teaching and research engage and involve students in an immersive learning environment 
• Academically rigorous programs set in a rich, diverse, supportive community 
• Ninety-six percent of students are full time, on campus 
• Courses taught to highest standards by highly-qualified faculty, researchers and national experts 
• Faculty and staff focused on student success and on-time graduation 
• Graduates compete successfully, nationally and globally 
• Strong work ethic drives students, faculty and staff 

Land grant

• Combines access with affordability in academically rigorous, demanding environment 
• Creates solutions to ever-changing real-world problems 
• Attracts and retains intellectual capital that benefits state, nation and world 
• Distributes knowledge into the community via Extension Service 
• Forges meaningful, productive, collaborative relationships with business, industry, non-profits, government, and local and regional communities
• Promotes faculty and student engagement in community service that enhances the public good
• Creates opportunity for advance­ment and success of the state’s citizens in the 21st century 

Research university

• Graduate and undergraduate students directly involved in world-class research 
• Top researchers in their disciplines teach students 
• Combines intellectual capital, resources and vision, where ideas become opportunities 
• Attracts new undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students, researchers and revenue to state and region 
• Creates and transfers new knowledge advancing technology 
• Creates intellectual property, which creates new business opportunities and jobs 
• Broadens economic base of state and region

Read stories that highlight the experiences of NDSU students.