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Downtown Fargo Aerial - Facing Southeast (51009704407)Photo: formulanone · CC BY-SA 2.0
Colleges in and near Fargo

Fargo is home to North Dakota State University

North Dakota State University (11,083 students on campus) is inside the city, and Minnesota State University Moorhead (3,187) is 3.3 miles from the center, just over the line in Moorhead. About 13% of Fargo’s residents are enrolled in college, above North Dakota (8%).

North Dakota State UniversityConcordia College at MoorheadMinnesota State University Moorhead

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Fargo. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
3
16,040 students on campus
Nearest college
2.4 mi
North Dakota State
Residents in college
13%
Above ND (8%)
Nearest community college
42.3 mi
North Dakota State College of Science · $5,974 tuition
Nearest public university
2.4 mi
North Dakota State · $11,110 in-state
Median household income
$67K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Fargo

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

Three colleges within 3.3 milesNorth Dakota State University admits 95% of applicants; Concordia College at Moorhead admits 63%; Minnesota State University Moorhead admits 59%. Together they have 16,040 students on campus.In-state price at North Dakota StateLiving in North Dakota, North Dakota State University charges $11,110 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $15,764. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 42.3 miles awayNorth Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton: tuition and fees $5,974 a year for North Dakota residents.Students are 13% of residentsAbove North Dakota (8%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Fargo

One private college within 2.9 miles, and two public colleges within 3.3 miles.

5 mi10 mi15 miNorth Dakota StateMinnesota State University MoorheadConcordia College at MoorheadFargo
University or collegeCommunity college
North Dakota State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 11,083 on campus · In Fargo95%admitted$16knet price64%graduate$62kearningsConcordia College at MoorheadUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,770 on campus · 2.9 mi · Moorhead, MN63%admitted$25knet price61%graduate$59kearningsMinnesota State University MoorheadUniversity or college · Public · 3,187 on campus · 3.3 mi · Moorhead, MN59%admitted$18knet price57%graduate$51kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Fargo’s median household income ($66,998) falls.

North Dakota State UniversityIn Fargo · sticker $23,716$11,923a year
Minnesota State University Moorhead3.3 mi · Moorhead, MN · sticker $25,197$13,907a year
Concordia College at Moorhead2.9 mi · Moorhead, MN · sticker $45,942$20,115a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Fargo: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →North Dakota StateConcordia College at MoorheadMinnesota State University Moorhead
North Dakota State University64% graduate$62k earnings$23k typical debt
Minnesota State University Moorhead57% graduate$51k earnings$20k typical debt
Concordia College at Moorhead61% graduate$59k earnings$27k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Fargo

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at North Dakota State University, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Business 23%Health professions 13%Engineering 12%Agriculture 6%Family sciences 6%Psychology 5%Everything else 35%

Biggest programs

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing216 graduates a year
$74k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations144 graduates a year
$67k4 yrs out
Mechanical Engineering122 graduates a year
$88k4 yrs out
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services103 graduates a year
$50k4 yrs out
Psychology, General94 graduates a year
$55k4 yrs out
Biology, General93 graduates a year
$59k4 yrs out
Finance and Financial Management Services82 graduates a year
$81k4 yrs out
Computer Science80 graduates a year
$88k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Fargo

Is Fargo a college town?

No. About 13 of every 100 Fargo residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above North Dakota (8). The largest campus in the city, North Dakota State University, has 11,083 students on campus.

What colleges are in Fargo?

North Dakota State University is inside the city. Minnesota State University Moorhead is 3.3 miles from the center, in Moorhead, Concordia College at Moorhead is 2.9 miles from the center, in Moorhead, and North Dakota State College of Science is 42.3 miles away in Wahpeton.

What is the closest community college to Fargo, and what does it cost?

North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, 42.3 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,974 a year for North Dakota residents; the federal net price, $11,261, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does North Dakota State University cost if we live in North Dakota?

Tuition and fees are $11,110 a year in-state and $15,764 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $9,370 (under $30,000 income) to $18,856 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Fargo. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →