Enquire to study in the UK 
The US is one of the world’s most popular destinations for higher education but it is also one of the most expensive. According to Times Higher Education, joining a typical public university here will set you back US$26,290 in tuition fees per year. Add that figure to the rent, Internet, food, transport, and all the other bills you have to pay, and you quickly realise you can’t afford a quality American degree.
At the North Dakota State University (NDSU), however, tuition fees are lower compared to other institutions. Ranked among the top 100 public universities by the National Science Foundation’s Higher Education Research and Development Survey, NDSU is known for its affordability and quality – two factors that draw thousands of talented students to its Fargo, North Dakota main campus every year.
“I knew I wanted an affordable, top-notch education with an environment that was supportive and conducive to personal and academic growth. That’s NDSU,” says nursing major Aurora.
Aurora had transferred from another US university as she wanted an institution that would put her “in the best possible position to succeed.” “I was born and raised in Fargo, and I’ve always known that NDSU provides the resources of a large university while also having the close-knit feel of a small college,” she says. “That was important to me.”
An NDSU education is just as of great value for international students. It’s ranked third best value for international students in the US, with a base tuition of US$17,638 for undergraduate students and US$14,435 for graduate students. Whichever level you’re in, you’ll be able to choose from a wide range of majors, from Agriculture and Technology and Information to Health and Life Sciences.
All programmes are hands-on. You’ll be able to apply, engage and reflect on new knowledge gained in classes with no more than 30 students. With a 16:1 student-faculty ratio, you’ll have your lecturer’s full attention in addition to their insights gleaned from years of applied experience in industry.
Affordability + quality = great value at North Dakota State University. Source: North Dakota State University
“They’re providing hands-on opportunities for students right at the bedside, or they’re with the students to provide them one-on-one attention and guide them to make sure they have the skills they need to be successful,” says Charys Kunkel, director and assistant professor of practice at the NDSU School of Nursing. “They’re to the point and they give you everything you need not only academically, but also clinic-wise.”
Although some tend to assume that universities with bigger price tags equal better resources, NDSU begs to differ. Here, you have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including laboratories, libraries, university archives, and many more. What’s more, most of NDSU’s research centres and institutes have been officially reviewed and approved by the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education and the North Dakota State Legislature.
But the best part about an NDSU degree is something more priceless: a welcoming campus community where over 74 countries and 49 US states are represented. “NDSU offers not only a variety of programmes, but we really have a strong community bonding together,” says student Yiqi Yuan.
Part of what makes the university so inclusive is the student organisations. Yuan is the current president of the Chinese Students and Scholars Association. Organisations host various events throughout the year for students, especially those from out-of-state, to get together and make memories with people outside of their programmes.
The university is also known for another type of diversity and inclusivity: financial. Regardless of race, colour, or national or ethnic origin, NDSU offers scholarships to first-year and transfer undergraduate international applicants in need of financial aid. There are other scholarships offered by the university that are programme-based too.
Financial aid will not only help reduce expenses but allow international students more opportunities to explore Fargo, the state’s largest city. With a population of nearly 220,000, it offers plenty of things to do, from visiting the Plains Art Museum to catching a movie at the historic Fargo Theatre, all within a short distance from the university.
At NDSU, quality is not determined by cost but by the guidance, lessons, resources, and help its students receive. While the university’s fees are its selling point, they are just a step forward in opening more doors for students to realise their dream of studying at a prestigious American university.
Follow North Dakota State University on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.
