Acceptance Rate
77%
“North Dakota's aviation powerhouse training pilots and engineers on its windswept Grand Forks campus.”
Grand Forks, ND
Location
Founded in 1883 before North Dakota even achieved statehood, the University of North Dakota carries a legacy as the state's flagship public institution, blending rigorous academics with a pioneering spirit in fields like aviation and energy. Students who thrive here often embrace self-reliance, a love for hands-on learning, and resilience against brutal winters—think future pilots logging flight hours in subzero temps or engineers tackling real-world resource challenges. Grand Forks, a compact city of about 60,000 on the Red River, offers a quiet, affordable base with wide prairies nearby, but its isolation means fewer urban distractions and longer drives to big airports or cities.
The school's personality shines through in its no-nonsense, community-focused vibe, where undergrads make up the majority of the 12,000-plus students and faculty prioritize practical skills over theoretical debates. You might not find the frenzy of coastal campuses, but you'll build close ties in small departments and tailgate hockey games with locals. Tradeoffs include vast, spread-out facilities that can feel impersonal in intro classes and a high cost of heating your off-campus apartment during -30°F snaps.
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Available Online
Degree Levels Offered
UND stands out for its John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, the nation's oldest collegiate flight-training program, where you'll solo in Cessnas by sophomore year amid North Dakota's ideal flying weather. Engineering draws from the state's oil patch, with petroleum and mechanical programs feeding into energy jobs, while the medical school integrates undergrads into research on rural health. Classrooms mix seminar-style upper-level courses with packed lectures for basics, and undergrads snag research gigs in labs studying biofuels or drones.
Intellectual life emphasizes applied knowledge—you'll collaborate on capstone projects with industry partners rather than pure theory. The student-faculty dynamic favors motivated types who seek out professors, as advisors handle heavy loads. Popular majors like aviation fill quickly, sometimes delaying entry for undeclared students.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
11,033 undergrad • 3,986 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
75%
Black / African American
3%
Hispanic / Latino
5%
Asian
3%
Other / Multi-racial
14%
Campus Life
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus pulses around Fighting Hawks hockey, with raucous Ralph Engelstad Arena sellouts turning winter nights electric and tailgates spilling into the snowy lots. A typical week mixes classes, club meetings—say, flying your own drone for the aerospace group—and bonfires at the sorority houses, since Greeks claim about 20% of undergrads. Residential halls cluster near the action, guaranteeing spots for freshmen, though upperclassmen often snag cheap apartments downtown.
Grand Forks keeps things low-key: dive bars, a lively farmers market, and river trails for biking in summer, but blizzards lock you indoors for stretches. Social scenes skew toward outdoors clubs, pickup sports, and house parties over massive ragers, suiting collaborative types but potentially isolating the party-hard crowd. High winds and flat terrain define the feel—bracing, open, and unpretentious.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
The Summit League
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
No
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Recognized student veteran organization
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
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Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
84%
4 Years Graduation Rate
40%
6 Years Graduation Rate
56%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$63,552
84% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at University of North Dakota and return in the fall. 40% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 56% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
40%
4-5 years
16%
6-8 years
2%
Non-grad
42%
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Key Statistics
Type
Public
Tuition
$9,237
Acceptance
77%
Undergrads
11,033
4-Year Grad Rate
40%
Endowment
$362M
Grand Forks, ND 58202-8193