Cash-strapped states are weighing hefty tuition increases for public colleges and universities. While North Dakota is not immune from that trend, higher education remains comparably affordable.
The university system's tuition and fees for four-year schools are lower than in neighboring states.
Tuition and fees at the University of North Dakota (Grand Forks) and North Dakota State University (Fargo) make up 9.2 percent of the median household income, compared to 9.1 percent in the region and 10.1 percent nationwide.
The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education revealed in a recent study that students at public, four-year colleges in 16 states were hit with tuition hikes of more than 10 percent for this academic year. The report said that in North Dakota, tuition and fees at public four-year institutions went up 14 percent, to $3,307. Even with the increase, North Dakota's tuition and fees at four-year schools still are lower than those in South Dakota, Montana and Minnesota.
Tuition and fees at North Dakota's public two-year institutions increased 11 percent, to $2,263, higher than in neighboring states.
—Rosie Cataldo
