A Parent’s Complete Guide to the University of North Dakota (2026-2027)
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Jump to
- What is the one thing every University of North Dakota parent needs to know before move-in?
- Quick Facts for University of North Dakota Families
- A Note on Fighting Hawks Identity and Financial Aid
- Getting to Grand Forks
- What do parents need to know about University of North Dakota move-in day 2026?
- The Residence Halls: Where Your Student Might Live
- How much does University of North Dakota cost? Tuition, financial aid, and scholarships for 2026-27
- Grand Forks and the Northern Great Plains: What Parents Need to Know
- When is University of North Dakota Family Weekend 2026 and how do parents plan for it?
- How can parents support their University of North Dakota student’s mental health?
- Who do University of North Dakota parents contact? Essential numbers and websites for families
- UND’s Academic Strengths
- Getting Your Student’s Stuff Home Between Semesters
- You Are a UND Fighting Hawks Family Now
- What is University of North Dakota’s graduation rate?
- Academic Calendar
- What to Pack for University of North Dakota
What is the one thing every University of North Dakota parent needs to know before move-in?
The University of North Dakota was founded in 1883 in Grand Forks, Dakota Territory, two years before North Dakota achieved statehood, as the flagship research and comprehensive university of the northern Great Plains.
In the 143 years since, UND has developed into a comprehensive research university of approximately 15,000 students, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across a full range of disciplines and maintaining a research enterprise that reflects its role as the primary research university in one of the most sparsely populated states in the country.
The John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences is the defining academic distinction of UND nationally: one of the most comprehensive and highly ranked aviation and aerospace programs in the country, with programs in commercial aviation, aviation management, air traffic control, atmospheric sciences, space studies, and unmanned aircraft systems that make UND the destination of choice for students seeking aviation and aerospace education at the undergraduate level. The UND aviation program has produced a significant proportion of the commercial airline pilots currently flying for major US carriers, and the program’s partnerships with United Airlines and other major carriers provide direct pipeline-to-employment pathways that are unusual in undergraduate aviation education.
Grand Forks is a city of approximately 55,000 people on the Red River of the North, directly on the North Dakota-Minnesota border, approximately 75 miles south of the Canadian border and 75 miles north of Fargo. The flat Red River Valley landscape, the harsh continental climate (Grand Forks regularly records some of the coldest temperatures of any major US city in winter), and the position at the center of one of the most productive wheat-farming landscapes in the world define the geographic context of the UND experience.
Quick Facts for University of North Dakota Families
| Family Weekend | UND Family Weekend 2026 is October 16 to 18, 2026. |
| Location | Grand Forks, ND 58202 |
| Enrollment | ~15,000 students |
| Type | Public Research University, Big Sky Conference |
| In-State Tuition (2026-27) | ~$9,500/year (verify at und.edu) |
| Out-of-State Tuition (2026-27) | ~$14,500/year (verify at und.edu) |
| Room and Board | ~$10,000-$12,000/year (verify at und.edu) |
| Total Cost (in-state) | ~$22,000-$24,000/year (verify at und.edu) |
| Total Cost (out-of-state) | ~$27,000-$29,000/year (verify at und.edu) |
| Graduation Rate | ~58% (6-year) |
| Median Earnings (10 years post-grad) | ~$46,000 (verify at und.edu) |
| Nearest Airport | GFK (Grand Forks International, 10 minutes) or FAR (Hector International, Fargo, 75 miles) |
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A Note on Fighting Hawks Identity and Financial Aid
UND’s athletic teams are the Fighting Hawks, competing in the Big Sky Conference (football) and NCHC (National Collegiate Hockey Conference) at the Division I level. The colors are kelly green and white.
The UND hockey program is one of the most consistently successful in college hockey, with multiple national championships and a hockey culture in Grand Forks that rivals any hockey market in the United States or Canada. The Ralph Engelstad Arena (a privately funded arena named for its donor, seating 11,640, with NHL-quality ice and amenities) is one of the most impressive college hockey venues in the world and hosts UND hockey games that routinely sell out.
Financial aid at UND is primarily need-based and merit-based through federal, state, and institutional programs. North Dakota residents should verify eligibility for the North Dakota Scholarship programs. Out-of-state students should verify the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) tuition reduction eligibility and current institutional merit scholarships. Contact und.edu/financial-aid for current aid programs.
Getting to Grand Forks
Grand Forks International Airport (GFK) is approximately 10 minutes from the UND campus, served by Delta from Minneapolis-St. Paul and by United from Denver. The MSP and Denver connections provide access to most major US markets through connecting hubs.
Hector International Airport (FAR) in Fargo, approximately 75 miles south via I-29, is served by American, Delta, United, and Allegiant from a broader range of markets and is frequently the preferred gateway for families from eastern US and midwestern markets who can find better fares to Fargo than to Grand Forks.
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is approximately 350 miles south via I-29 (approximately 4 to 4.5 hours by car), and many families in the Twin Cities and Minnesota-Wisconsin corridor drive to Grand Forks rather than flying.
No Amtrak train serves Grand Forks. The Empire Builder (Amtrak’s Chicago-Seattle route) passes through Minot, North Dakota (approximately 200 miles west of Grand Forks), but Grand Forks is off the rail corridor. Driving is the primary transport mode for most UND families.
What do parents need to know about University of North Dakota move-in day 2026?
UND’s fall move-in runs in late August, with specific dates and arrival windows per residence hall. Check und.edu/student-life/housing for your student’s building and move-in window.
Grand Forks in late August is warm and pleasant in the northern Great Plains late-summer way: temperatures in the mid-70s to low 80s, low humidity, the Red River Valley croplands flat and green in all directions, and the first suggestion of the rapid northern fall that will arrive in September not yet visible.
UND runs organized move-in with orientation staff and building-specific unloading areas.
Practical notes:
- The UND campus is spread across the Grand Forks city grid in a way that requires knowing your specific building’s address and unloading instructions.
- Ship boxes ahead. UND holds packages.
- After unloading, the Grand Forks restaurant scene on Washington Street and downtown Grand Forks provides family dining options. JL Beers (craft burgers, excellent) and Rhombus Guys Brewing Company (downtown, craft beer and pizza) are reliable choices.
The Residence Halls: Where Your Student Might Live
UND’s residential system provides on-campus housing options for approximately 3,500 students, with freshmen strongly encouraged to live on campus.
West Hall and Nistler Hall are among the primary freshman-area residence halls, providing traditional double-room configurations with community bathroom access and proximity to the main campus facilities.
Johnstone and McVey Halls and the other traditional residence halls provide additional housing options distributed across the campus.
The residential communities organized around specific academic interests (including Living Learning Communities focused on health sciences, business, and other programs) connect students with shared academic interests in residential settings.
The UND dining program operates through multiple dining facilities, including the Wilkerson Dining Center, and provides a range of meal options for the campus community.
How much does University of North Dakota cost? Tuition, financial aid, and scholarships for 2026-27
UND participates in the WUE program for eligible western states, providing tuition at 150% of in-state rate for qualifying students. Contact und.edu/financial-aid for need-based, merit-based, WUE eligibility, and institutional scholarship details.
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| In-State Tuition and Fees | ~$9,500 (verify at und.edu) |
| Out-of-State Tuition and Fees | ~$14,500 (verify at und.edu) |
| Room and Board | ~$10,000-$12,000 (verify at und.edu) |
| Books and Supplies | ~$1,000 (verify at und.edu) |
| Personal and Transportation | ~$3,500 (verify at und.edu) |
| Estimated Total In-State (before aid) | ~$24,000-$26,000 (verify at und.edu) |
| Estimated Total Out-of-State (before aid) | ~$29,000-$31,000 (verify at und.edu) |
UND participates in the WUE program for eligible western states, providing tuition at 150% of in-state rate for qualifying students. Contact und.edu/financial-aid for need-based, merit-based, WUE eligibility, and institutional scholarship details.
If there is a gap between aid and costs, SoFi is consistently competitive on private loan rates. Always work with UND’s financial aid office first.
FAFSA guide for UND families Full college cost planning guide
Grand Forks and the Northern Great Plains: What Parents Need to Know
Grand Forks is a small city with a genuine northern Great Plains character: the Red River provides the city’s historic foundation (Grand Forks developed at the confluence of the Red River and the English Coulee as a fur trade and agricultural shipping center), the flat valley landscape extends in all directions to the horizon, and…
Grand Forks is a small city with a genuine northern Great Plains character: the Red River provides the city’s historic foundation (Grand Forks developed at the confluence of the Red River and the English Coulee as a fur trade and agricultural shipping center), the flat valley landscape extends in all directions to the horizon, and the Canadian border is 75 miles north (Winnipeg, Manitoba’s capital, is 145 miles north and is accessible as a day trip or overnight destination).
The Grand Forks downtown on South 3rd and 4th Streets and DeMers Avenue has been rebuilt following the catastrophic 1997 Red River flood and provides a range of restaurants, shops, and cultural venues that serve the university and broader community.
The Ralph Engelstad Arena is the most visited building in Grand Forks and one of the most celebrated college hockey venues in North America: the 11,640-seat arena, built at a cost of more than $100 million from a private gift, features granite floors, multiple levels of premium seating, and ice-level club seating that puts spectators closer to the ice than at most NHL arenas. Attending a UND hockey game at the Ralph is among the most impressive college sports experiences available anywhere in the country.
Winnipeg, Manitoba is 145 miles north of Grand Forks via I-29 and MB-75, Canada’s seventh-largest city, with a vibrant arts and restaurant scene, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (an architecturally extraordinary national museum opened in 2014), the Forks National Historic Site (at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers), and the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets. The Winnipeg day trip or overnight is a distinctly Canadian experience accessible from campus.
The Red River Valley extending north and south of Grand Forks is one of the flattest and most fertile agricultural landscapes in the world, the floor of the ancient glacial Lake Agassiz, and the setting for the spring flood risk that is a permanent feature of Red River Valley civic life.
For parent visit dining: Rhombus Guys Brewing Company (Grand Forks, excellent craft beer and pizza in a converted historic building), JL Beers (Grand Forks, craft burgers, consistently recommended), and the Washington Street corridor restaurants.
When is University of North Dakota Family Weekend 2026 and how do parents plan for it?
UND Family Weekend 2026 is October 16 to 18, 2026.
Confirm the schedule and registration on the official UND family weekend page, and reconfirm the date before booking travel in case it changes. Hotels near campus sell out early, so book as soon as dates are confirmed.
Comparing schools? See our 2026 parents weekend and family weekend dates for every college in one place.
University of North Dakota refunds tuition on a declining schedule after the semester starts, so timing a withdrawal matters.
The refund percentage is set by the date the withdrawal is officially submitted, not the last date attended, and UND explicitly separates this from Title IV federal aid, which is refunded/returned on its own separate proration calculation that can claw back aid regardless of the tuition refund percentage received.
Refund schedule: Declining tiered refund for withdrawing to zero credits in a regular session term: 100% refund through the published add/drop deadline, 75% refund through the next deadline about a month later, 50% refund through a following deadline, then 0% refund after that point. Exact calendar dates shift every term.. Confirmed via the official University of North Dakota refund policy page. Policies and dates change every term, so verify directly before making a decision.
Advertising disclosure: this is a paid partner link. UniversityParent may earn a commission if you purchase through it.
Most colleges do not refund 100% of tuition once the semester starts.
GradGuard Tuition Insurance can reimburse tuition, housing, and fees if a covered illness, injury, mental health condition, or other covered reason forces a withdrawal during the term. Plans must be purchased before the semester begins.
Freshmen may bring a car to University of North Dakota with a paid residential permit.
No freshman-specific restriction. New students in residence halls are assigned to a lot or zone tied to their specific dorm. UND uses a virtual, license-plate-based permit system rather than a physical hangtag.
Freshman permit cost: $100 to $625 for 2026-27 depending on lot or hall assignment, most residence-hall zone permits run $325 to $425. Confirmed via the official University of North Dakota parking page. Policies can change year to year, so verify before move-in.
UND’s Family Weekend is in the fall; check und.edu/student-life for current year dates. The Big Sky Conference football schedule and, more importantly, the NCHC hockey season provide the athletics draw throughout the academic year.
A UND hockey game at the Ralph Engelstad Arena is among the most recommended parent visit experiences at any university in the midwest or Great Plains region.
Hotel strategy: Grand Forks has adequate hotel inventory along South Washington Street and near the UND campus. The Holiday Inn Grand Forks-Conference Center and the Hilton Garden Inn Grand Forks are the primary quality hotel options near campus. Book major hockey weekends and Family Weekend 4 to 6 weeks ahead.
How can parents support their University of North Dakota student’s mental health?
UND’s Counseling Center provides individual therapy, group therapy, crisis support, and psychiatric referrals.
The Grand Forks winter is the most significant mental health factor for UND students and families to prepare for: Grand Forks regularly records winter temperatures of minus 20 to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit (before wind chill), with wind chills that can reach minus 40 to minus 60 degrees during Arctic outbreaks. The combination of extreme cold, limited daylight (Grand Forks is at 47 degrees north latitude, with approximately 8 hours of daylight at the winter solstice), and the geographic isolation of the northern Great Plains is a genuine seasonal mental health challenge that students from warmer or more southerly climates must prepare for specifically and deliberately.
Practical winter preparation is a genuine mental health intervention at UND: proper cold-weather gear (insulated boots rated to minus 30 or colder, a genuine Arctic-rated parka, insulated gloves and face protection) is non-optional and is as important to student well-being as any counseling resource. UND students develop the winter culture, the efficient movement between heated buildings, the campus tunnel system, the social adaptation to indoor life that the northern winter requires, and this culture is a form of community resilience that new students will observe and learn from their first winter.
UND mental health and health resources:
- Counseling Center: contact via und.edu/student-life/counseling
- Student Health Services: contact via und.edu/student-life/health
- Crisis line: 988 (call or text, 24/7)
- Emergency: 911
Who do University of North Dakota parents contact? Essential numbers and websites for families
Verify all phone numbers and URLs at und.edu before using, as contact information is subject to change.
- Student Affairs / Parent Resources: contact via und.edu/student-life
- Admission: contact via und.edu/admissions
- Financial Aid: contact via und.edu/financial-aid
- Housing: contact via und.edu/student-life/housing
- Counseling Center: contact via und.edu/student-life/counseling
- Student Health Services: contact via und.edu/student-life/health
- UND Police (non-emergency): contact via und.edu/police
- Registrar: contact via und.edu/registrar
- Emergency: 911
UND’s Academic Strengths
The John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences is UND’s most nationally recognized academic program, with undergraduate programs in commercial aviation (flight training in UND’s fleet of more than 120 aircraft at the Grand Forks Airport), aviation management, air traffic control, meteorology and atmospheric sciences, space studies, and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS, or drone operations)….
The John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences is UND’s most nationally recognized academic program, with undergraduate programs in commercial aviation (flight training in UND’s fleet of more than 120 aircraft at the Grand Forks Airport), aviation management, air traffic control, meteorology and atmospheric sciences, space studies, and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS, or drone operations). The aviation fleet and the FAA-approved flight training infrastructure at UND are among the most extensive in collegiate aviation, and the program’s pipeline connections to United Airlines and other major carriers (through the United Aviate Academy partnership) make UND the most direct pathway to a commercial airline career in American higher education.
The School of Medicine and Health Sciences provides health professional education programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, clinical laboratory science, and the pre-professional preparation that feeds into the medical school program. North Dakota’s significant shortage of rural healthcare providers makes UND’s health sciences programs a direct instrument of state public health policy.
The School of Law (North Dakota’s only law school) and the School of Business and Public Administration provide professional education that feeds the state’s legal, government, and business needs. The engineering programs in chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering reflect UND’s role as the state’s primary engineering education provider.
The undergraduate liberal arts and sciences programs, organized in the College of Arts and Sciences, provide the full range of humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences education that constitutes the academic breadth of the UND undergraduate experience.
Getting Your Student’s Stuff Home Between Semesters
GFK airport’s proximity (10 minutes from campus) makes end-of-semester travel convenient, and the Delta connection to MSP and United connection to Denver cover most national routing. The North Dakota winter makes December travel weather-aware: flights and roads can be delayed by winter storms, and planning flexibility is advisable.
Storage Scholars specializes in student storage with residence hall pickup and delivery.
Full printable UND dorm packing list
You Are a UND Fighting Hawks Family Now
The Ralph Engelstad Arena on a Saturday night in February when the building is full and the temperature outside is minus 25 and the hockey is as good as any you will find at any level below the NHL.
The aviation ramp at Grand Forks Airport in spring when the student pilots are doing pattern work in the Pipers and Cessnas. The Red River Valley at harvest in September when the flatness of the landscape and the scale of the agriculture is visible in a way that is unlike anything east of the Missouri River.
UND has been serving the northern Great Plains since 1883, doing the educational work that a state of 780,000 people in the middle of the continent requires: training pilots and doctors and engineers and lawyers and teachers for a region that needs them, in a climate that tests the commitment of everyone who stays. The Fighting Hawks are still fighting. The Ralph is still the Ralph.
Go Fighting Hawks.
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Last updated: May 2026. Tuition, dates, and policies subject to change. Verify all time-sensitive information at und.edu and und.edu/student-life/housing.
Where to stay near the University of North Dakota
Hotels near campus fill up fast on move-in and Family Weekend. This live map shows places to stay near the University of North Dakota. Drag the map or change the dates to fit your trip.
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What is University of North Dakota’s graduation rate?
University of North Dakota graduates 39.1% of students in four years; another 21.4 points finish within six. About 84% of first-year students return for sophomore year. Each bar is compared to the national average, marked by the vertical line.
9.9 pts below national
3.5 pts below national
3 pts above national
Here is how to read these numbers: the four-year and six-year rates show how many students finish on time and eventually, and retention shows how many return after the first year. Wherever your student lands, the habits that keep them on track matter most: a full, well-sequenced course load, an advisor meeting every term, and using campus support early. See why most students don’t graduate in four years and how to choose the right classes in the right order.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, most recent available data. National averages: NCES. Figures are for first-time, full-time bachelor’s-seeking students.
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Academic Calendar
Key dates for the University of North Dakota 2026-2027 academic year. Semester system. Always verify at the official Registrar page before making travel plans.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Fall 2026 classes begin | August 24, 2026 |
| Fall break | None |
| Thanksgiving break | November 25-27, 2026 |
| Fall finals | December 14-18, 2026 |
| Spring 2027 classes begin | January 11, 2027 |
| Spring break | March 8-12, 2027 |
| Spring finals | May 10-14, 2027 |
| Commencement | May 2027 (est.) |
Winter break housing: Most University of North Dakota residence halls close for winter break. Students who need to stay on campus must apply for break housing through Residential Life in November. Check the housing portal for specific closure dates and application deadlines.
What to Pack for University of North Dakota
Every dorm is different, but these are the items parents of University of North Dakota students buy most. Ship directly to campus and skip the trunk-stuffing stress.
Twin XL Bedding Set
Sheets, comforter, and pillowcases — buy before you arrive so the bed is ready day one.
Shower Caddy & Flip Flops
Shared bathrooms require these. Get a hanging caddy and waterproof sandals before move-in.
Surge Protector Power Strip
Most dorms allow 6-outlet surge protectors with USB ports. Check your school’s policy first.
Want the full list? See our complete college packing list →
Shipping to campus? Students get 6 months of Amazon Prime for Young Adults free, then half price on the student’s own account. Here is how it works.
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