<p>The article also says that N. Dakota has been intentionally putting money into their public universities as an economic development tool, while other states are slashing their funding. N. Dakota has a declining number of high school grads and a declining total population. They want to retain some of the new college grads within their borders. Also, the article says that N. Dakota has the luxury of having money to put into their universities because of oil industry revenue.</p>
<p>In addition, N. Dakota benefits from a consortium of states that offer reduced tuition to students from each other’s states. N. Dakota has been a net gainer from this process, particularly from Minnesota.</p>