University of North Dakota Overview
University Name
The University of North Dakota
University Website
http://und.edu/
Campus Setting
Small City
Petroleum Engineering Department Name
The Department of Petroleum Engineering (in the College of Engineering & Mines)
Department Website
http://engineering.und.edu/petroleum/
The University of North Dakota (UND) was founded in 1883 and is ranked in the top 100 public universities in the USA by U.S. News and World Report. It offers more than 200 courses, 1000 computer workstations, and 3 major libraries. Students come from all 50 states and 60 nations.
The student to faculty ratio is 21 to 1, and it is an innovative institution, being the first in the country to offer programs in unmanned aircraft operations, as well as having the only schools of law and medicine in the state. Its Petroleum Engineering department is also the only one in the state.
UND is the second largest employer in North Dakota and adds over a billion dollars in revenue to the economy. Its campus spreads out over 240 buildings on 550 acres.
At last count North Dakota was second in oil production in the US, bringing huge demand for petroleum engineers to populate new facilities and replace ageing crews – the average age of a petroleum engineer was 46 in 2016. The university launched a Petroleum Engineering department to meet local, national, and international need for engineers.
UND offers a highly rated distance program (see video below).
Being a new program, it is not currently accredited by ABET – though accredition is expected soon and will be applied to all degrees retrospectively. (ABET requires students to have graduated before the application can begin, and the program is so new that the first handful of degrees were awarded in 2013.) Accreditation is seen as a formality.
Key Stats
- Student population: 14,951
- Student/faculty ratio: 21 to 1
- Retention rate: 81%
- Graduation rate: 54%
University of North Dakota Petroleum Engineering Degrees Awarded
| Degrees Awarded | 2014/15 | 2015/16 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 18 | 40 |
| Master's | n/a | n/a |
| Doctoral | n/a | n/a |
Growth in U.N.D.’s PE Program Enrollment
| Semester | Fall 2010 | Spring 2011 | Fall 2011 | Spring 2012 | Fall 2012 | Spring 2013 | Fall 2013 | Spring 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment Total | 4 | 7 | 23 | 39 | 115 | 129 | 188 | 208 |
Tuition Costs and Living Expenses
| Estimated Expenses | 12-13 | 13-14 | 14-15 | 15-16 | 16-17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - In-state | $7,254 | $7,508 | $7,741 | $7,965 | $8,136 |
| - Out-of-state | $17,170 | $17,794 | $18,409 | $18,899 | $19,290 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| On Campus | |||||
| - Room and Board | $6,400 | $6,400 | $6,746 | $7,492 | $7,856 |
| - Other | $6,400 | $6,254 | $5,766 | $3,422 | $3,422 |
| Off Campus | |||||
| - Room and Board | $6,400 | $6,400 | $6,746 | $7,492 | $7,856 |
| - Other | $6,400 | $6,254 | $5,766 | $3,422 | $3,422 |
Tuition fees at North Dakota have seen gentle rises in recent years, just above the rate of inflation. The fall in miscellaneous costs makes ND one of the more affordable colleges in the country.
Videos
1: University of North Dakota Petroleum Engineering Distance Degree Program
Problem solving under pressure, recorded lectures, rigor, flexibility.
2: Quick Intro to the University of North Dakota College of Engineering & Mines
3: Why U.N.D. Started Its Petroleum Engineering Program
University Location
264 Centennial Drive, Stop 8193, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202-8193Source: Institute of Education Sciences (IES)
