University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) vs North Dakota State University-Main Campus (NDSU)
Nestled in the heart of the Midwest, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and North Dakota State University-Main Campus (NDSU) stand as two prominent institutions of higher learning, each offering a unique educational experience. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they differ in several key aspects, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. This side-by-side comparison delves into these differences, providing valuable insights for prospective students seeking the best fit for their academic and personal aspirations. Explore the comprehensive table below to discover which university aligns better with your goals and preferences, considering factors such as admissions competitiveness, program offerings, campus culture, and post-graduate outcomes.
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![]() North Dakota State University-Main Campus |
![]() University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
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Overview |
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Location | Fargo, North Dakota | Lincoln, Nebraska |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 76.0% | 80.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 95.5% | 81.1% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$35
Graduate:
$35
|
Undergraduate:
$45
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | 1096 - 1313 | 1090 - 1320 |
ACT range | 20 - 26 | 22 - 28 |
Students submitting SAT score | 1.0% | 8.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 63.0% | 85.0% |
Total number of applicants | 8,143 | 17,775 |
Total number of admissions given out | 7,773 | 14,411 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,491 | 4,736 |
Yield rate | 32.0% | 32.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not 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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In state:
$26,316
Out of state:
$43,446
|
Average net price | $16,677 | $18,403 |
Tuition |
In state:
$8,951
Out of state:
$13,426
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In state:
$7,770
Out of state:
$24,900
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,100
Meal plan:
$4,778
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Room/dormitory:
$7,485
Meal plan:
$4,653
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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 |
96.0%
Average amount $8,608 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
60.0%
Average amount $5,226 |
34.0%
Average amount $4,691 |
Students taking out private loans |
28.0%
Average amount $11,868 |
5.0%
Average amount $13,909 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
10,199
Men 49.8% Women 50.2% |
19,552
Men 50.5% Women 49.5% |
Graduate students |
2,262
Men 47.4% Women 52.6% |
4,879
Men 49.2% Women 50.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 64.0% | 25.7% |
International students | 5.5% | 7.4% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 5,563 | 6,936 |
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 | Nebraska Illinois Minnesota Kansas Iowa |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 18:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 64.9% | 66.4% |
Dropout rate | 10.7% | 10.7% |
Transferred out | 22.3% | 21.4% |
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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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, Other (Doctoral Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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