North Dakota Cost of Living 2026
Complete guide for international students. Compare NDSU ($28K-35K), UND ($30K-38K), Minot State ($20K-26K), and 3 more universities. Living costs $800-2,000/month.
How much does it cost to study in North Dakota as an international student?
International students in North Dakota can expect total annual costs of $20,000-$38,000 depending on the university and lifestyle. Tuition ranges from $7,500 at Mayville State to $22,000 at University of Mary. Rent is $400-$1,100/month for shared housing. Fargo (NDSU) and Grand Forks (UND) are the most popular choices with free campus transit and growing job markets.
AI-optimized summary · 2026 data
$20K-38K
Total Annual Cost
$400-1,100
Monthly Rent
6
Universities
-40°F
Winter Low
📋 What's in this guide
Universities in North Dakota
North Dakota has 6 universities that actively recruit international students. The two largest — NDSU in Fargo and UND in Grand Forks — account for over 80% of international enrollment. Smaller schools like Minot State and Mayville State offer even lower tuition.
North Dakota State University (NDSU)
$14,500-18,000
$28,000-35,000
13,500+
95%
🎓 Global Excellence Scholarship up to $10,000/yr, International Student Scholarship up to $5,000/yr
📍 Fargo • Engineering, Agriculture, Pharmacy, Computer Science, Nursing
#246 National Universities
University of North Dakota (UND)
$15,000-19,000
$30,000-38,000
14,000+
90%
🎓 International Student Scholarship up to $8,000/yr, Green & Gold Scholarship
📍 Grand Forks • Aviation, Medicine, Engineering, Aerospace, Energy
#263 National Universities
Minot State University
$8,500-10,500
$20,000-26,000
3,000+
85%
🎓 International Student Grant up to $4,000/yr
📍 Minot • Business, Education, Communication Disorders, Nursing
#90 Regional Universities Midwest
University of Mary (Bismarck)
$18,000-22,000
$35,000-42,000
3,500+
75%
🎓 Catholic Identity Scholarship, International Merit Award up to $6,000/yr
📍 Bismarck • Nursing, Business, Engineering, Theology, Health Sciences
#234 National Universities
Dickinson State University
$9,000-11,000
$22,000-28,000
1,500+
88%
🎓 Blue Hawk Scholarship up to $3,000/yr
📍 Dickinson • Agriculture, Business, Education, Nursing
#70 Regional Colleges West
Mayville State University
$7,500-9,500
$18,000-24,000
1,200+
92%
🎓 Comet Scholarship up to $2,500/yr
📍 Mayville • Education, Business, Science, Math
#60 Regional Colleges Midwest
City-by-City Living Costs
North Dakota's cost of living varies significantly between the eastern metro areas (Fargo, Grand Forks) and the smaller western cities. Fargo is the most expensive but also the most urban.
Fargo
$700-1,100/mo
$1,400-2,000/mo
130,000+
MATBUS ($1.50/ride, free with NDSU ID)
Continental, cold winters (-10°F avg Jan), warm summers (82°F avg Jul)
College town energy, craft breweries, Fargo Moorhead metro
💡 Largest city in ND, NDSU campus, growing tech hub
Grand Forks
$600-900/mo
$1,200-1,700/mo
56,000
City Bus ($1.50/ride, free with UND ID)
Extreme cold in winter, pleasant summers
Military/college town, outdoor recreation, hockey culture
💡 UND campus, Red River valley, air force base nearby
Bismarck
$700-1,000/mo
$1,300-1,800/mo
74,000
BisTrans (limited routes)
Cold winters, warm summers, less snow than east
Government hub, family-friendly, growing healthcare sector
💡 State capital, University of Mary, government jobs
Minot
$550-800/mo
$1,100-1,500/mo
48,000
City Bus (limited)
Extreme cold, windy, less humid than east
Military/oil town, affordable, close to Canadian border
💡 Minot State University, Air Force base, oil region access
Dickinson
$500-750/mo
$1,000-1,400/mo
23,000
None — car essential
Cold, dry, windy
Small college town, outdoor recreation, Theodore Roosevelt NP nearby
💡 Dickinson State University, gateway to Badlands
Mayville
$400-600/mo
$800-1,200/mo
1,900
None — car essential
Extreme cold, flat Red River valley
Very small, tight-knit, rural Minnesota border
💡 Mayville State University, tiny rural town
Monthly Budget Breakdown
Here's what a typical international student spends each month in North Dakota. The biggest variable is rent — Fargo is the most expensive, while smaller towns can be 40-50% cheaper.
Off-campus shared housing near NDSU
Cheapest in state near UND
Heating costs spike in winter ($200+ Dec-Feb)
Cash Wise, Hornbachers, Walmart; Fargo has best prices
$10-15 per meal; Fargo has growing food scene
Free campus transit at NDSU/UND; bike in summer
Payment, insurance, gas; essential outside Fargo/Grand Forks
University plan; $1,200-2,400/year
Mint Mobile, Visible, Tello; no contract needed
Used textbooks, library reserves, digital rentals
Amortized: coat, boots, layers; buy at Walmart/Target
Entertainment, clothes, toiletries
Univ gyms included; Planet Fitness $10-25/mo off-campus
💰 Monthly Total (Fargo): $1,400-2,000/mo • Annual: $16,800-24,000
💰 Monthly Total (small town): $800-1,200/mo • Annual: $9,600-14,400
Budget Tiers
$800-1,200/mo
$20,000-28,000/year
The budget tier works for students at smaller schools like Mayville State or Dickinson State. With tuition as low as $7,500-$11,000, total annual costs can stay under $25,000 — one of the cheapest options in the US. The trade-off: very small towns with limited public transit and social scenes.
What's included:
- Shared apartment near Mayville State or DSU ($400-600/mo)
- Cook 90% of meals at home — Cash Wise and Walmart are cheapest
- Walk, bike, or carpool — no Uber in small towns
- Used textbooks, library resources, free campus events
- No car — rely on walking, biking in summer; tough in winter
- Basic phone plan (Mint Mobile $15-25/month)
- University gym included in fees
- Part-time campus job 10-15 hrs/week ($350-550/mo)
✅ Pros
- • Lowest tuition in the region
- • Tight-knit campus community
- • Minimal student debt possible
❌ Cons
- • Very small towns
- • Essential to have a car in winter
- • Limited dining/entertainment options
$1,300-1,800/mo
$30,000-38,000/year
The moderate budget suits students at NDSU or UND. Fargo is North Dakota's largest city with a growing tech scene, craft breweries, and surprisingly good restaurants. Grand Forks offers a tighter college community with strong military connections. Both have free campus transit.
What's included:
- Private room or shared 2BR in Fargo/GF ($600-900/mo)
- Mix of cooking (70%) and dining out (30%)
- Free campus bus system + occasional Uber
- New textbooks + streaming subscriptions (Netflix, Spotify)
- Occasional trips to Mall of America (3.5 hrs) or Winnipeg (2 hrs)
- Mid-tier phone plan with more data
- Campus gym + outdoor recreation (skiing, hockey games)
- Part-time job 15-20 hrs/week ($550-850/mo)
✅ Pros
- • Largest cities in ND with amenities
- • Free campus transit
- • Growing job markets
❌ Cons
- • Still need winter gear budget
- • Fargo to family home flights can be pricey
- • Limited international food options
$1,800-2,500/mo
$38,000-48,000/year
The comfortable budget lets you enjoy North Dakota's outdoor lifestyle without watching every dollar. Fargo's restaurant and nightlife scene is underrated, and you're within driving distance of the Badlands, Montana mountains, and Minneapolis.
What's included:
- Studio or 1BR apartment in Fargo or Bismarck ($850-1,200/mo)
- Regular dining out at Fargo's restaurant scene
- Car + insurance + gas for internships and road trips
- New textbooks, online courses, professional memberships
- Weekend trips to Badlands, Montana, Minneapolis
- Premium phone plan + new laptop every 2-3 years
- Gym membership + ski pass (Buffy's Mountain, Red River)
- Part-time job or on-campus RA position ($700-1,100/mo)
✅ Pros
- • Comfortable lifestyle with savings buffer
- • Access to Fargo's growing culture
- • Great for students with family support
❌ Cons
- • Higher total cost
- • May discourage budgeting habits
- • Still cheaper than coastal states
Visa & Settlement Costs
Before you arrive, you'll need to budget for visa processing, flights, and initial setup costs. These are one-time expenses that most guides forget to mention.
SEVIS Fee (I-901)
One-time, paid before visa interview
F-1 Visa Application (MRV Fee)
Non-refundable application fee
Visa Medical Exam
Varies by country and panel physician
USCIS Premium Processing (optional)
15-day processing for OPT/STEM OPT
Flight (Asia → Fargo/Grand Forks)
Through Minneapolis (MSP) hub
Initial Settlement (first month)
Deposit, bed sheets, winter coat, groceries
F-1 Visa Renewal
When re-entering after travel home
⚡ Total One-Time Cost: $3,500-7,500 • Budget this separately from annual costs
Pros & Cons of Studying in North Dakota
✅ Why North Dakota?
- Extremely low tuition — some schools under $10K/yr
- Very affordable housing nationwide
- Low crime, safe campuses
- Free campus transit in Fargo/Grand Forks
- Strong job market (2.5-3% unemployment)
- UND #1 ranked aviation program
- Easy OPT/STEM OPT opportunities in healthcare and energy
- Short class commute — compact campuses
⚠️ Challenges
- Brutal winters (-20°F to -40°F)
- Small towns require a car
- Limited international food/dining options
- Far from major international airports
- Small South Asian community
- Limited public transit outside metro
- Flat landscape, less diverse scenery
- Winter can be mentally challenging for first-timers
North Dakota vs Other States
How does North Dakota compare to neighboring states and the national average? Spoiler: it's significantly cheaper.
$8K-22K
$400-1,100
$20K-38K
$15K-28K
$800-1,400
$32K-50K
$9K-14K
$450-750
$22K-32K
$18K-26K
$600-1,000
$30K-45K
$20K-40K
$1,000-2,000
$40K-70K
Frequently Asked Questions
10 Tips to Save Money in North Dakota
Shop at Cash Wise & Walmart
Cash Wise is the cheapest grocery chain in ND. Walmart in Fargo has the best bulk prices.
Use Free Campus Transit
NDSU and UND both offer free bus rides with student ID. Don't pay for parking unless you must.
Cook in Batches
Meal prep on Sundays. Rice, lentils, and frozen veggies are your best friends. Fargo has an Indian grocery store.
Share a Car
In small towns, split car costs with 2-3 roommates. In Fargo/GF, you can go car-free.
Use Campus WiFi
Skip the home internet upgrade. Campus WiFi is fast and free everywhere on campus.
Rent Textbooks
Chegg, Amazon rentals, and library reserves save 60-80% vs buying new.
Mint Mobile Plan
$15-25/month for unlimited talk/text + data. No contract, cancel anytime.
Student Discounts
Show your student ID everywhere — restaurants, movies, software, and subscriptions.
Free Outdoor Activities
Hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and frozen lake activities are all free.
Join Student Orgs
Free food at meetings, free events, networking, and sometimes travel opportunities.
Winter Survival Guide for International Students
North Dakota winters are no joke. Average temperatures from December to February range from -5°F to -20°F, with wind chills reaching -40°F. But thousands of international students survive and even enjoy it. Here's how:
🧣 Essential Gear (Buy Before Winter)
- Insulated winter coat ($100-200 at Walmart/Target)
- Thermal base layers ($30-50)
- Waterproof insulated boots ($60-120)
- Warm gloves + hat + scarf ($20-40)
- Wool socks (6+ pairs, $15-25)
💡 Tips for Surviving -40°F
- • Layer up: base layer → sweater → coat
- • Keep extremities warm: hat, gloves, thick socks
- • Stay indoors between classes (heated tunnels at NDSU)
- • Carry hand warmers in your pocket ($5 for 10 pairs)
- • Don't skip meals — your body burns more calories in cold
- • Embrace it: ice skating, hockey, and snowshoeing are fun!
📚 Related Guides
Syed Roman Bin Walid
Study Abroad Systems Analyst | 8+ Years International Education Experience
Roman specializes in study abroad cost analysis and visa strategy. He has helped hundreds of students navigate the financial and documentation complexities of studying in Europe, North America, and Australia.
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