The Real Cost of Being an NDSU Student in 2026

The estimated cost of attending NDSU is $23,107 for North Dakota residents, including tuition, student fees and housing. For Minnesota residents, that figure rises to $24,362. But those estimates can vary depending on a student’s major, enrollment status and living arrangements.

Beyond the numbers published by the university are the everyday expenses of college life, from textbooks and course materials to groceries and transportation. So, how closely does NDSU’s estimated cost of attendance reflect what students actually pay?

For NDSU students, the answer depends heavily on individual circumstances.

Xyle Altura, an NDSU student who lives off campus, said rent, groceries and gas are among the expenses that come to mind first when he considers the cost of college. He currently pays about $525 per month in rent and estimates spending between $200 and $300 per month on groceries.

Altura also has a block meal plan on campus, which reduces how often he needs to purchase food at home. Still, expenses outside of tuition can add up. One cost that surprised him was parking. As a student living off campus, Altura said he initially thought purchasing a parking permit would provide more flexibility.

“You think even the pass you pay for for a year includes all the parking spots, but it’s only limited to a few of those,” Altura said.

Altura works approximately 15 to 20 hours per week during the school year and also pursues freelance opportunities for additional income. While working gives him professional experience, balancing a job and classes can become stressful.

“The amount of workload you get, or just bouncing off from two different areas, kind of gets a little stressful,” Altura said.

Financial aid and family support are also important to making college possible for him.

“I don’t think without FAFSA specifically and without my family’s support, that I would be able to afford college,” Altura said.

Although he considers NDSU reasonably priced compared to other colleges, he does not consider college itself affordable. His advice to incoming students is to be cautious about borrowing.

“Limit your debt,” Altura said. “Make sure it’s something that’s manageable in terms of being able to pay for it once you’re done with college.”

For Beck Rojas, the expenses associated with college have changed throughout her time at NDSU.

Rojas said some of the most surprising expenses were not large bills, but smaller costs that appeared after tuition had already been paid.

“The little expenses that come out of pocket, even though you’re already paying so much just to be there,” Rojas said. “I was like, ‘I have to pay even more than I’m already paying?’”

Those expenses included printing, textbooks and supplies required for certain courses.

Rojas has also become more conscious of her everyday spending because of college. When considering a purchase, she said she often distinguishes between something she wants and something she needs.

“It just makes me double check myself to make sure I’m spending on things that I do need to be spending [on] so I can save as much as possible,” Rojas said.

Her costs changed significantly when she became a resident assistant. The position covered room and board and provided additional scholarship assistance.

“It made things so much easier in terms of how much I had to worry about, or how much my parents had to worry about,” Rojas said.

Family support has also helped Rojas avoid student loans, something she recognizes is not possible for every student.

“I just think it depends on the situation for each student,” Rojas said. “I do think it’s crazy expensive, though, even if some people find it affordable.”

Abby Wissink’s experience have also been shaped by scholarships and employment opportunities.

“I chose NDSU because it’s so cheap, if I’m being honest,” Wissink said. “A lot of people will say the same thing.”

As a resident assistant, Wissink currently has housing and food covered through her position. She estimates spending about $50 to $100 per month on necessities such as toiletries and household products.

Another unexpected expense was furnishing a place to live.

“Room decorations,” Wissink said. “That’s the surprise expense — setting up an apartment or a dorm room, buying little chairs or wall decorations and stuff like that.”

Wissink has worked two or more jobs throughout much of her time at NDSU. She currently works approximately 20 to 25 hours per week between a marketing position and her resident assistant responsibilities. Scholarships and jobs offering housing or food benefits have substantially lowered her college expenses. Before attending NDSU, Wissink received a $15,000 scholarship. Other opportunities throughout college have also covered housing and meals.

“For me, it has been,” Wissink said when asked whether college is affordable. “I’m a very fortunate person to say that college can be affordable for me and my personal experience.”

Her experience, however, does not lead her to believe college is affordable for everyone. Wissink considers NDSU one of the more affordable college options in the region but said being less expensive does not necessarily mean being inexpensive.

“The fact that it’s cheaper doesn’t mean it’s cheap,” Wissink said.

Her advice to incoming students is to search for opportunities that can reduce the cost before assuming they must pay the entire advertised price.

“Apply for scholarships,” Wissink said. “Do the general scholarship application. They have it for a reason because they know school is expensive and they have the resources for you.”

The experiences of Altura, Rojas and Wissink show why a single estimated cost cannot capture every student’s financial reality. Rent, groceries, course supplies, parking and other everyday expenses intersect with scholarships, jobs, family support and financial aid to determine what college ultimately costs.

NDSU’s estimated price may provide students with a starting point, but the amount they actually pay depends on what happens beyond the tuition bill.