North Dakota College Tuition Trends from 2015 to 2025

Tuition trends by school type and level for North Dakota colleges

There are 15 four-year colleges and universities in North Dakota—9 public institutions and 6 private institutions. This page summarizes average tuition & fees and how costs have changed over time based on the latest available IPEDS data.

Undergraduate Tuition Trends

Public colleges: In 2025, average in-state tuition & fees are $7,707, while out-of-state tuition & fees are $9,883. Year-over-year, in-state costs changed by 0.41% and out-of-state costs changed by -0.21%. Since 2015, cumulative growth is 31.78% (in-state) and -3.59% (out-of-state).

Private colleges: The average tuition & fees are $14,913 in 2025. That is a 5.69% change from last year and 32.21% cumulative growth since 2015.

Graduate Tuition Trends

Public graduate schools: In 2025, average in-state graduate tuition & fees are $9,410, while out-of-state graduate tuition & fees are $10,806. Year-over-year, in-state costs changed by 3.73% and out-of-state costs changed by 3.24%. Since 2015, cumulative growth is 47.12% (in-state) and 3.25% (out-of-state).

Private graduate schools: The average graduate tuition & fees are $11,455 in 2025. That is a 13.71% change from last year and 34.64% cumulative growth since 2015.

Public vs. private comparison (increase rates): In 2025, private undergraduate tuition changed by 5.69% year-over-year. Public undergraduate in-state changed by 0.41% (lower by 5.28 percentage points vs. private), and public out-of-state changed by -0.21% (lower by 5.90 percentage points vs. private). Over the full period since 2015, private undergraduate tuition grew by 32.21%, compared with public in-state 31.78% (lower by 0.43 percentage points vs. private) and public out-of-state -3.59% (lower by 35.80 percentage points vs. private).

Graduate comparison: In 2025, private graduate tuition changed by 13.71% year-over-year. Public graduate in-state changed by 3.73% (lower by 9.97 percentage points vs. private), and public graduate out-of-state changed by 3.24% (lower by 10.47 percentage points vs. private). Since 2015, private graduate tuition grew by 34.64%, compared with public graduate in-state 47.12% (higher by 12.48 percentage points vs. private) and public graduate out-of-state 3.25% (lower by 31.39 percentage points vs. private).

COA Trends

Undergraduate cost of attendance change by school type (tuition & fees + room & board): In 2025, estimated on-campus COA is $19,921 (public in-state), $22,097 (public out-of-state), and $27,126 (private). Year-over-year, on-campus COA changed by 2.79%, 2.26%, and 5.08%, respectively. Since 2015, cumulative on-campus COA growth is 29.48% (public in-state), 11.66% (public out-of-state), and 30.31% (private).

Off-campus COA: In 2025, estimated off-campus COA is $21,437 (public in-state), $23,613 (public out-of-state), and $28,642 (private). Year-over-year, off-campus COA changed by 3.61%, 3.03%, and 5.59%. Since 2015, cumulative off-campus COA growth is 29.92% (public in-state), 12.96% (public out-of-state), and 30.60% (private).

Tuition & Fees Trends of North Dakota Colleges from 2015 to 2025

The tables and charts below show how average college tuition and fees have changed in North Dakota from 2015 through 2025.

All figures are based on the latest available IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) data published by the U.S. Department of Education. To keep the comparisons consistent, these averages reflect 4-year colleges and universities in North Dakota and exclude most community colleges and trade schools due to differences in reporting and availability.

Under. (Public) Under. (Private) Graduate (Public) Graduate (Private)

For North Dakota public schools, the 2025 undergraduate in-state tuition & fees are $7,707 which has increased by 31.78% over the current decade and the out-of-state cost is $9,883 which has risen by -3.59%. In average, the rate of increase in tuition is -0.36% while last year increase rate was -0.21%.

Table. Undergraduate Tuition Trends (Public Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for North Dakota Colleges

	2015-2016	2016-2017	2017-2018	2018-2019	2019-2020	2020-2021	2021-2022	2022-2023	2023-2024	2024-2025
In-State Costs	$5,924	$6,015	$6,203	$6,443	$6,836	$7,140	$7,323	$7,636	$7,676	$7,707
Year-to-Year Rates	1.28%	1.55%	3.13%	3.86%	6.11%	4.44%	2.56%	4.28%	0.52%	0.41%
Cumulative Rates	1.28%	2.85%	6.06%	10.16%	16.88%	22.08%	25.20%	30.56%	31.24%	31.78%
Out-of-State Costs	$10,408	$10,659	$10,999	$10,075	$9,339	$9,354	$9,617	$10,045	$9,904	$9,883
Year-to-Year Rates	1.53%	2.41%	3.19%	-8.40%	-7.30%	0.15%	2.82%	4.45%	-1.40%	-0.21%
Cumulative Rates	1.53%	3.98%	7.30%	-1.72%	-8.90%	-8.76%	-6.19%	-2.02%	-3.39%	-3.59%

For private schools in North Dakota state, the 2025 undergraduate tuition & fees are $14,913 which has increased by 32.21% over the current decade. In average, the rate of increase in tuition is 3.22% while last year increase rate was 5.69%.

Table. Undergraduate Tuition Trends (Private Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for North Dakota Colleges

	2015-2016	2016-2017	2017-2018	2018-2019	2019-2020	2020-2021	2021-2022	2022-2023	2023-2024	2024-2025
Tuition & Fees	$11,714	$11,912	$12,382	$12,366	$12,658	$13,094	$13,319	$13,723	$14,110	$14,913
Year-to-Year Rates	3.85%	1.69%	3.94%	-0.13%	2.36%	3.45%	1.72%	3.03%	2.82%	5.69%
Cumulative Rates	3.85%	5.61%	9.77%	9.63%	12.21%	16.08%	18.07%	21.66%	25.09%	32.21%

The average graduate school tuition & fees of North Dakota public schools are $9,410 which has increased by 47.12% over the current decade and the out-of-state graduate cost is $10,806 which has risen by 3.25%. In average, the rate of increase in graduate tuition is 0.32% while last year increase rate was 3.24%.

Table. Graduate Tuition Trends (Public Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for North Dakota Colleges

	2015-2016	2016-2017	2017-2018	2018-2019	2019-2020	2020-2021	2021-2022	2022-2023	2023-2024	2024-2025
In-State Costs	$6,528	$6,716	$6,756	$6,948	$7,916	$8,262	$8,619	$9,076	$9,071	$9,410
Year-to-Year Rates	2.07%	2.88%	0.60%	2.84%	13.94%	4.38%	4.32%	5.30%	-0.06%	3.73%
Cumulative Rates	2.07%	5.00%	5.63%	8.63%	23.76%	29.18%	34.76%	41.91%	41.83%	47.12%
Out-of-State Costs	$10,713	$10,976	$10,508	$9,373	$9,526	$9,553	$9,962	$10,473	$10,467	$10,806
Year-to-Year Rates	2.36%	2.46%	-4.26%	-10.80%	1.63%	0.28%	4.28%	5.13%	-0.05%	3.24%
Cumulative Rates	2.36%	4.88%	0.40%	-10.44%	-8.98%	-8.72%	-4.82%	0.06%	0.01%	3.25%

For private graduate schools in North Dakota state, the 2025 tuition & fees are $11,455 which has increased by 34.64% over the current decade. In average, the rate of increase in graduate tuition is 3.46380% while last year increase rate was 13.71%.

Table. Graduate Tuition Trends (Private Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for North Dakota Colleges

	2015-2016	2016-2017	2017-2018	2018-2019	2019-2020	2020-2021	2021-2022	2022-2023	2023-2024	2024-2025
Tuition & Fees	$9,710	$13,485	$11,734	$12,049	$12,725	$12,620	$8,864	$10,239	$10,074	$11,455
Year-to-Year Rates	14.13%	38.87%	-12.98%	2.69%	5.61%	-0.83%	-29.76%	15.51%	-1.61%	13.71%
Cumulative Rates	14.13%	58.49%	37.91%	41.62%	49.56%	48.33%	4.18%	20.34%	18.41%	34.64%

You can check the changes of other college costs including room & board costs, book & supplies, and other living expenses at North Dakota college cost trends.

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