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North Dakota State University

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University Guide

About North Dakota State University

Explore overview, courses, fees, admissions, campus life, scholarships and student accommodation guidance in one premium Admistay guide.

North Dakota State University, a public land-grant research university enrolls 12,499 students including 10,312 UG students and 1,842 PG students. The university welcomes a diverse student body of which 4.9% are international students belonging to various parts of the world. North Dakota State University offers 100 undergraduate majors, 86 masters and 50 doctoral degrees.

As a highly coveted institution in US Education System, NDSU is well known for providing affordable access to exceptional education and research facilities. Admissions to the university are invited for Fall and Spring intakes. A highly selective acceptance rate of 93.6% indicates that getting admission at NDSU would be a piece of cake for the candidates with excellent academic qualifications. International students planning to study at the university must be prepared to spend 20,000 USD approximately.

Check: North Dakota State University Admissions 2023

Besides academics, the university has also garnered attention for its research, as a major component of the Red River Valley Research Corridor. It’s significant achievements in athletics like football. Basketball, and wrestling are also widely acclaimed across the world.

North Dakota State University Rankings

  • #284 in National Universities, #369 in Top Performers on Social Mobility, #144 in Top Public Schools, #161 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs by US News and World Report
  • Washington Monthly ranks North Dakota State University as #221 nationally.
  • NDSU is ranked #369 nationally by Forbes for the year 2023.
  • #95 among 404 public universities based on the universities research expenditure.

Highlights

Type of University Public
Campus Setting Urban
Faculty Members 692
Total Enrolment 12,499
Percentage of International Student 4.9%
Annual Acceptance Rate 94%
Basic Tuition Fee for International Undergraduate Students $7,831.50 (13 or more credit)
Test Scores Accepted TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Exam, PTE, ACT, or SAT
Graduation Rate 75.7%[13]
Employment Rate 86%[14]
Official Website https://www.ndsu.edu

North Dakota State University Campus

North Dakota State University’s main campus comprises more than 100 major buildings spread over 258 acres. It is located in the historic Minard-South Engineering quad in the Babbling Brook, whose serene atmosphere offers students a location to relax while studying.

  • The campus organises several public events to encourage participation of students in extracurricular activities
  • Several organisations operate within campus for the students to join depending on their interests. This helps them connect with others through discussions, posts, and group messaging. Some of the organisations at NDSU are the Agribusiness Club, Amateur Radio Society, American Medical Student Association & Allied Health Group, American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, to name a few.
  • There are three main Dining Centres at NDSU: West Dining Centre, Union Dining Centre, and Residence Dining Centre. There are five major eateries at the food court in NDSU.
  • The North Dakota State University Library has a constantly expanding collection of resources, as well as a number of services to help students both academically, as well as answer their research questions. In 2022, over 5226 were taught, and almost 8000 research questions were answered.

North Dakota State University Accommodation

The Department of Residence Life at NDSU operates 13 residence halls, and 4 apartment complexes on-campus. It is compulsory for all first-year students to live in an on-campus residence hall.[18]

  • The residence halls can offer a variety of housing options from the traditional low-rise residence halls to suite-style high-rises, as well as apartment-style residence halls. There are also a number of off-campus residential options for students, located within a mile of the campus.
  • The on-campus residence halls can have a variety of facilities based on the type of residence hall. These facilities include: air-conditioning, privatised community bathrooms, shared shower and bathroom spaces, single-gender rooms, co-residential buildings, etc. The apartment-style residence halls are fully-furnished and come with kitchens, living rooms, and private bathrooms.[19]
  • The four apartment complexes available at NDSU are: Apartment 1701, Bison Court, Niskanen Expansion and University Village, with the average rates ranging from $250-$500 per month.[20]

Housing and meal costs at North Dakota State University are:

Expense Cost
Housing (Double-Room) $3900 - $4300
Dining (Seven-day Unlimited Meal Plan) $2,389/semester
Residence Hall dues (non-refundable) $100 maximum

North Dakota State University Programs

  • NDSU has two semesters every year- Fall and Spring with two summer sessions. Most students choose the full-time majors offered by the university.
  • NDSU offers over 100 undergraduate majors, 80 graduate majors, and 50 doctoral degrees.
  • NDSU has varied academic colleges including Engineering, Science and Mathematics, Human Development and Education, Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Health Professions, Agriculture, Food Systems & Natural Resources, University Studies, Graduate School and Interdisciplinary Studies
  • International first-year students as well transfer students apply for many of these programs, and there are Intensive English Language Programs (IELP) to help students whose first language is not English. The University Studies major allows students to study nearly any area that interests them.
  • Graduate Certificate Programs are offered where the graduate students can learn in a specialized area of study such as STEM, business, education, art, and humanities, etc by earning a graduate certificate, either online or in a traditional classroom setting.

North Dakota State University Application Process

Details regarding the application process to be followed by international students wishing to apply to NDSU are:

Application Portal: NDSU Application Portal
Application Fee: $ 35
Admission Requirements:

  • Official academic records for all institutions attended and national exams taken (in English or in certified English translation)
  • English test scores: TOEFL (internet-based test, IELTS)
  • Secondary or high school grade point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent in core subjects is recommended.
  • Educational background in the core curriculum of laboratory science, mathematics, social science, and English

English proficiency Requirements

Test Required Score for Undergraduates Required Score for Graduates
TOEFL (iBT) 71 71
TOEFL (PBT) 525 525
IELTS 6.0 6.0
ACT (English sub-score) 18 N/A
SAT (Evidence based reading and writing) 480 N/A

North Dakota State University Cost of Attendance

North Dakota State University is committed to making education accessible and affordable to students belonging to varied economic sections. Students wishing to pursue higher education at universities in USA must have a clear understanding of costs given below:

Level Tuition Fee
Undergraduate $7,831 - $15,838 [49]
Graduate $709.07 per credit- $1576.38 per credit

Living Expenses

Expense Cost
University Student Fees $1,597
New Student & Orientation Fees $210
Housing & Meal Plan $9,253

North Dakota State University Financial Aid

First year undergraduate international students as well as international transfer can be eligible for scholarships at NDSU based on the evaluation of their academic records at the time of admission by determining the U.S. cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) equivalent. Full scholarships are not offered, and all the scholarships offered are either partial or applicable for a maximum of eight semesters. Some of the scholarships offered by NDSU are:

GPA equivalent of the applicant Scholarship amount
3.5 - 4.0 $12,000 ($1,500/semester)
3.0 - 3.49 $8,000 ($1,000/semester)

The NDSU International Spring Award is awarded to students seeking January entrance, while the NDSU International Fall Award is awarded to students seeking May or August entrance.

North Dakota State University Alumni

NDSU alumni gain access to several services for free that have proved to be crucial for their future careers.

Additionally, Job search resources are also provided to NDSU alumni, like Career Fairs, that help them connect with employers looking to hire the alumni for a variety of jobs.

Notable alumni at NDSU:

  • Doug Burgum – Governor of North Dakota and founder of Great Plains Software
  • Arthur A. Link – former governor of North Dakota
  • William L. Guy – former governor of North Dakota
  • Alf Clausen – composer for "The Simpsons" as well as other television programs and motion pictures
  • Humayun Ahmed – writer and filmmaker

North Dakota State University Placements

The Career and Advising Centre provides assistance to the students, graduates and alumni with regards to:

  • Resume, CV and cover letter reviews
  • Interview/job search preparation
  • Mock interviews
  • Grad school preparation
  • Career Coaching and Exploration

Highest paying jobs for graduates at NDSU are given below

Job Average salary
Software Engineer $77,000
Mechanical Engineer $72,000
Project Manager $80,000
Electrical Engineer $73,000
Manufacturing Engineer $66,000

North Dakota State University is one of the leading universities in the state, providing state of the art academic facilities to students at an affordable cost. Besides academics, the NDSU campus also offers several athletic facilities, a research and technology park, several research buildings in Downtown Fargo, and several agricultural research extension centres from all across the State. The university houses some of the best research facilities in the United States that prove to be crucial to students in gaining hands-on experience, and preparing them for their careers.

FAQ

Ques. Can the application fee at NDSU be waived or refunded?

Ans. No, the application fee is non-refundable, and is necessary for the application to be considered for admission decisions.

Ques. Are international students eligible for financial aid at NDSU?

Ans. No, international students are not eligible for financial aid, since it is provided by U.S. federal government to American citizens and permanent residents only. There are scholarships that are offered to international students.

Ques. How long does it take to get my admission decision at NDSU?

Ans. After all required documents are received, the admission decision is informed to them generally within two to three weeks.

Ques. How to know if NDSU received my documents for application?

Ans. You can use the online tracking information provided by the courier service used. The Office of International Student and Study Abroad Services sends a follow-up email after the documents have been reviewed and evaluated.

Ques. What is the placement rate for NDSU?

Ans. Of the students who graduate from NDSU, 93% get employment, while 7% choose to pursue further education

Courses & Fees

Compare courses in a cleaner, easier way

Explore tuition, duration, language, eligibility, and exam requirements without the clutter.

Courses

89

Fee from

₹20,00,030.43

Exams

TOEFL · IELTS

Showing 5 of 52 bachelors

Overview
Degree TypeBachelor
Duration4 years
Study ModeFull Time
LanguageEnglish
Fees
Tuition FeeINR 14.5 L/Yr
Native FeeUSD 15,500 /Yr
Living Expense₹1123560
Estimated Total₹1449206
Fee trendTuition progression
Official Program Page
Admission Guide

Admission Process

North Dakota State University is a student-focused research institute regarded as a coveted name in the US Education System. The students of the university can pursue undergraduate majors, certificate programs, masters, and doctoral degrees in various fields of study related to arts, humanities and social sciences; business; engineering; and health professions.

The institute had a total fall 2022 enrollment of 13,173 out of which 13,173 enrolled for undergraduate programs, 378 professional program students and 1964 graduate program applicants. With an acceptance rate of around 94%, the university falls under the category of least competitive organization in the country which admits any candidate with an impressive GPA and decent overall profile.

Some of the salient points to be noted when seeking admission at North Dakota State University are as listed below.

  • The institute operates on a rolling admission policy and provides admissions round the year.
  • It accepts applications mainly for the intakes of fall and spring semesters.
  • The application deadlines for graduate school vary from program to program. For programs that do not have specific deadlines, all materials must be submitted at least one month prior to the commencement of the semester.
  •  All transcripts submitted by students must preferably be evaluated by WES or NACES and should be sent directly to NDSU.
  • Applications for all programs can be submitted online along with all other necessary documents. 
  • The institute requires all its non-native English speakers to submit proof of their English proficiency in the form of test scores like TOEFL or equivalent. This forms an important component of the admission process and thus candidates must ensure to score a competitive score.

Highlights

Application Portal Online portal
Application Fee (non-refundable) 35 USD
Average SAT score (Combined math and evidence based reading and writing) 1100
Average ACT score (Composite) 22
Academic Calendar Semester based
Intake Months Fall/ spring
Work Experience Required for graduate programs
Financial Aid Scholarships

North Dakota State University Admission Deadlines

The institute provides a plethora of courses for international students, admissions to which are available in Fall and Spring seasonal intakes. NDSU accepts applications from international undergraduate students on a rolling basis which means there is no specific deadline. The University evaluates documents as they receive them. 

Applying by the priority deadline also makes sure that the applicants have considerable time for further admission procedures and visa-related processes. It is advisable that students complete their applications within the dates given in the table below as after this they may not be eligible for some scholarships:

Semester Priority Deadline Final Deadline
Fall March 1  August 1
Spring November 1 December 15

However, the deadline for graduate programs varies while programs with no deadline mean all material must be submitted one month before the semester begins. Information for specific programs can be found in the graduate admission section below.

North Dakota State University: International Student Admissions

The university accepts international applicants if they meet the minimum requirements, have completed coursework with the recommended curriculum, and are able to provide all necessary documents within the required time frame. Except for some additional requirements, the application processes for both domestic and international students are the same.

How to Apply?

Application Portal: Applicants for NDSU can apply by completing an Online International Application at the official website of the university.

Application Fee: 35 USD 

Basic Admission Requirements: International applicants must submit the following documents in order to be considered for admission to the University.

  • Completed application with the application fee
  • Official high school and college transcripts
  • Transcripts must be submitted with certified English translation.
  • Standard test scores of SAT/ ACT for undergraduate applicants and GRE/ GMAT for graduate applicants.
  • English proficiency test scores like TOEFL/ IELTS.
  • Letters of recommendation and statement of purpose are required for graduate applicants.
  • Financial documentation will be required for the visa process.

English Proficiency Test Scores

All international applicants must submit English proficiency test scores like TOEFL, IELTS to be considered for admission. These scores must be valid for two years and should be sent directly to the University. 

The minimum test scores required are given in the table below. Those who do not meet these requirements might be admitted on a conditional basis which means they will first have to complete an Intensive English Language Program (IELP) before proceeding for the major.

Test Minimum Required Score for Undergraduates Minimum Required Score for Graduates
TOEFL (iBT) 71 71
TOEFL (PBT) 525 525
IELTS 6.0 6.0
ACT (English sub-score) 18 -
SAT (Evidence based reading and writing) 480 -

Visa Process for International Students

International applicants can apply for an F-1 student visa to study in the USA after the issuance of I-20 form from the University. After the evaluation process is over, admitted students will receive a copy of I-20 form in their admission packet. Students can obtain the I-20 form through FedEx or DHL by paying the Express Mail Fee.

Students will have to submit the following documents to the Office of International Student and Study Abroad Services to apply for the visa. Documents can be emailed to [email protected]

  • I-20 form
  • Copy of passport or other immigration-related documents
  • Financial documents to show sufficient funds to cover costs for one year

North Dakota State University Undergraduate Admissions

Applications are evaluated and considered for admission is based on high school GPA, standardized test scores, coursework in high school. The suggested high school curriculum for students comprises 4 units of English, 3 units of mathematics, 3 units of laboratory science, 3 units of social science and 1 unit in core subjects. Applicants with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher on 4.0 will be considered for admission.

Where to Apply: Online application

Admission Requirements: International graduate applicants will have to submit the following documents along with the online application:

  • Completed online application
  • Official academic records from all previously attended institutions
  • Scores of national exams taken by the applicant, if any.
  • Proof of English proficiency

The above-mentioned documents must be mailed to the Office of International Student and Study Abroad Services.

North Dakota State University Graduate Admissions

The institute provides a range of graduate courses for its aspirants from across the globe seeking to study in the USA. The students can apply at the university using the online Graduate Application available at the official website. While the basic requirements for most of its courses is the same as that of international student admissions, some of the course-specific requirements to be fulfilled when applying for admission at the university are as tabulated below.

Requirements Masters of Business Administration Masters in Civil Engineering Master of Architecture Master of Arts in English Human Development and Family Science
Application Fee 35 USD 35 USD 35 USD 35 USD 35 USD
Application Deadline Fall semester: May 1
Spring semester: August 1
Fall semester: February 15
Spring semester: September 15
Fall semester: February 1 Fall semester: February 1 One month prior to the beginning of term
Transcripts Required Required Required, portfolio required Required Required
GMAT/ GRE Required Required Not required Not required Not required
Statement of Purpose* Required Required Required Required Required
Work experience Required, 5 years for waiver of GMAT/ GRE Not required Not required Not required Not required
Resume Not required Not required Not required Not required Not required
Recommendation letter** Required, 3 letters Required, 3 letters Required, 3 letters Required, 3 letters Required, 3 letters
Admission Interview Not required Not required Not required Not required Not required

*The Statement of Purpose is meant to give information regarding the reason for pursuing the specific program, special interests, educational background, and skills or experience related to the program.

**Three recommendation letters are required preferably from academically related individuals. The graduate school will send an email to the recommenders.

Official documents to be sent directly to NDSU Graduate School can be posted to NDSU Graduate School, NDSU Dept. 2820, PO Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108.

International applicants must complete the online application for Graduate School which will be forwarded to the department they have applied for. The final admission decision is taken by the Dean of the College of Graduate and Interdisciplinary Studies keeping in mind the recommendation of the departments. 

NDSU’s Office of International Student and Study Abroad Services do a follow-up in 2-3 days to inform applicants that their applications have been received and are being reviewed. The University takes almost 2-3 weeks from the date of submission of all documents before it can send an admission decision.

FAQs

Ques. Can I apply for more than one graduate program at North Dakota State University? 

Ans. Yes, you can apply for more than one graduate program at North Dakota State University. The only requirement is that you have to submit separate application fees for each program.

Ques. How to send the letter of recommendation to North Dakota State University?

Ans. You have to send it electronically through the online application process because the university does not accept recommendation letters by paper, fax, or email. Any entry sent otherwise will be discarded.

Ques. For how much time my transcripts be kept on file by North Dakota State University?

Ans. North Dakota State University keeps the transcripts on file for approximately 6 months.

Placements & Recruiters

North Dakota State University Placement Details

North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota, United States placement details include salary insights, top recruiters, and hiring trends to help students understand career outcomes and campus opportunities.

Students usually compare highest package, average package, and recruiter profile before applying. This section gives a compact overview of career outcomes and placement visibility in Fargo, North Dakota, United States.

Recruiters
N/A
Salary Metrics
0/2
Placement Metric

Highest Package

N/A

Represents the top salary package reported in the available placement information.

Placement Metric

Average Package

N/A

Shows the typical package range students may expect based on the available average salary data.

Placement information is currently limited.

More salary or recruiter data may be updated later for this college.

Rankings over the years

Year-wise highlights from global and country rankings available for this university.

2021

Highlights
2021
  • Best overall country rank: #181
  • Psychology: #39 in country
  • Top source: ARWU
  • 2 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Psychology, Overall
  • 3 ranking records in 2021

2022

Highlights
2022
  • Best overall country rank: #176
  • Agribusiness: #21 in country
  • Top source: ARWU
  • 4 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Agribusiness, Overall
  • 3 ranking records in 2022

2023

Highlights
2023
  • Best overall country rank: #176
  • Computer Science: #34 in country
  • Top source: US News
  • 3 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Education
  • 1 ranking record in 2023

2024

Highlights
2024
  • Best overall country rank: #59
  • Education: #53 in country
  • Top source: US News
  • 3 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Engineering
  • 1 ranking record in 2024

2025

Highlights
2025
  • Best overall country rank: #190
  • Psychology: #9 in country
  • Top source: US News
  • 8 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Engineering, English
  • 2 ranking records in 2025

Contact Information

1340 Administration Avenue

701-231-8011

Student Reviews & Ratings

Overall sentiment and category-wise rating summary

Overall score

7.3/10
Top Rated

Based on 1 rating

Rating Breakdown

Visual summary of rating distribution and categories

Live Summary
Academic
9.0/10
Faculty
8.0/10
Infrastructure
9.0/10
Accommodation
10.0/10
Placement
8.0/10