Admissions
Getting in, fall 2024
North Dakota State admits about 9 in 10 applicants (95%). That puts it in the "Open" tier, more selective than 12% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (95% and 95%).
No application fee
Grants credit for AP exams
Yield
32% of admitted students enroll, in the typical range nationally.
Where you stand
How North Dakota State reads a record
GPA is very important; tests are considered. Scores are optional. 0% of first-years sent an SAT and 2% an ACT. Most first-years were admitted without scores. Most high schools no longer rank; this college doesn't lean on it. Requires 4 years of English, 3 of math, 3 of science, and 3 of social studies. See the years by subject
What they look at
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Not considered | ||||
| Class rank | Not considered | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Considered | ||||
| Essay | Not considered | ||||
| Recommendations | Not considered | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Not considered | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Not considered | ||||
| Talent or ability | Not considered | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Not considered | ||||
| First generation | Not considered | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Not considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Not considered | ||||
| State residency | Not considered | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Not considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Not considered | ||||
| Work experience | Not considered | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Not considered | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program required
Transferring in
Transfers may start in the fall, spring, and summer.
Minimum college GPA: 2.0
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
What the application needs
- College transcripts
- Recommended
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by August 1 for fall 2025.
- Decisions are sent on a rolling basis starting September 1.
- There's no set reply date.
- $100 housing deposit, non-refundable.
What you'll need in high school
Requires a high school diploma; accepts the GED.
Requires a college-preparatory program in high school.
| Years of | Required |
|---|---|
| English | 4 |
| Math | 3 |
| Science (lab: 3) | 3 |
| Social studies | 3 |
| Total | 14 |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science.
On the admissions map
The map plots acceptance rate against SAT scores. North Dakota State University-Main Campus doesn't report both, so it isn't shown.
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
Optional
Scores are considered if you send them. For students entering in fall 2026.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Score bands
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
submitted ACT
Read with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;North Dakota State University-Main Campus Common Data Set 2024–25, Fall 2026 applicants;North Dakota State University-Main Campus Common Data Set 2024–25, Fall 2024;North Dakota State University-Main Campus Common Data Set 2024–25, 2024–25;North Dakota State University-Main Campus Common Data Set 2024–25, Fall 2025 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)