North Dakota State University-Main Campus (NDSU) vs University of Mary (UMary)
North Dakota State University-Main Campus and University of Mary, both located in North Dakota, offer distinct educational experiences. NDSU, a public research university, boasts a higher acceptance rate (88%) compared to University of Mary's (75%), a private Catholic university. NDSU's larger student body is more diverse, with a higher percentage of international students. In terms of academics, NDSU offers a wider range of undergraduate programs, including popular majors like engineering, nursing, and business, while University of Mary focuses on liberal arts and sciences, with strengths in nursing, education, and business. NDSU's higher graduation rate (68%) indicates a strong commitment to student success. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic goals and preferences.
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![]() North Dakota State University-Main Campus |
![]() University of Mary |
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Overview |
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Location | Fargo, North Dakota | Bismarck, North Dakota |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | Rural: Fringe |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 76.0% | 77.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 95.5% | 78.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$35
Graduate:
$35
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Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$45
|
SAT range | 1096 - 1313 | N/A |
ACT range | 20 - 26 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 1.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 63.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 8,143 | 1,532 |
Total number of admissions given out | 7,773 | 1,207 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,491 | 510 |
Yield rate | 32.0% | 42.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$23,879
Out of state:
$28,354
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$35,370 |
Average net price | $16,677 | $19,474 |
Tuition |
In state:
$8,951
Out of state:
$13,426
|
$18,340 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,100
Meal plan:
$4,778
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Room/dormitory:
$3,690
Meal plan:
$4,300
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
91.0%
Average amount $4,089 |
100.0%
Average amount $11,954 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
60.0%
Average amount $5,226 |
65.0%
Average amount $5,176 |
Students taking out private loans |
28.0%
Average amount $11,868 |
20.0%
Average amount $10,222 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
10,199
Men 49.8% Women 50.2% |
2,579
Men 41.5% Women 58.5% |
Graduate students |
2,262
Men 47.4% Women 52.6% |
1,215
Men 30.4% Women 69.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Very Low
|
Out-of-state students | 64.0% | 64.5% |
International students | 5.5% | 0.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Rural: Fringe |
Dormitory capacity | 5,563 | 1,325 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Minnesota North Dakota Wisconsin South Dakota California | North Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin California Montana |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 18:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 64.9% | 64.3% |
Dropout rate | 10.7% | 31.5% |
Transferred out | 22.3% | 2.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Agricultural Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
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