Best Colleges in North Dakota 2024

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Here are the best colleges and universities in North Dakota. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you.

Best Colleges in North Dakota

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  1. University of North Dakota
  2. North Dakota State University
  3. Minot State University
  4. University of Jamestown
  5. University of Mary
  6. Dickinson State University
  7. Valley City State University
  8. Bismarck State College
  9. Mayville State University
  1. University of North Dakota
  2. North Dakota State University
  3. Minot State University
  4. University of Jamestown
  5. University of Mary
  6. Dickinson State University
  7. Bismarck State College
  8. Mayville State University
  9. Valley City State University
  1. Dickinson State University 99%
  2. North Dakota State University 95%
  3. University of North Dakota 89%
  4. Minot State University 88%
  5. Valley City State University 81%
  6. University of Mary 79%
  7. University of Jamestown 76%
  8. Mayville State University 61%
  1. North Dakota State University 19 to 1
  2. University of North Dakota 17 to 1
  3. Bismarck State College 14 to 1
  4. Mayville State University 13 to 1
  5. Valley City State University 13 to 1
  6. Dickinson State University 13 to 1
  7. University of Jamestown 12 to 1
  8. Minot State University 11 to 1
  9. University of Mary 11 to 1
  1. University of Jamestown $23,498
  2. University of Mary $20,290
  3. North Dakota State University $8,951
  4. University of North Dakota $8,882
  5. Minot State University $8,164
  6. Dickinson State University $6,474
  7. Valley City State University $6,364
  8. Mayville State University $6,266
  9. Bismarck State College $4,007
  1. University of Mary $12,244
  2. University of North Dakota $11,503
  3. Minot State University $8,992
  4. Mayville State University $7,305
  5. North Dakota State University $7,293
  6. Valley City State University $6,351
  7. Dickinson State University $6,060
  8. University of Jamestown $4,106
  1. Mayville State University
  2. Bismarck State College
  3. Valley City State University
  4. Dickinson State University
  5. University of Mary
  6. University of Jamestown
  7. Minot State University
  8. North Dakota State University
  9. University of North Dakota
  1. Valley City State University
  2. Mayville State University
  3. Bismarck State College
  4. Dickinson State University
  5. University of Mary
  6. University of Jamestown
  7. Minot State University
  8. North Dakota State University
  9. University of North Dakota
  1. Mayville State University 61%
  2. University of Jamestown 76%
  3. University of Mary 79%
  4. Valley City State University 81%
  5. Minot State University 88%
  6. University of North Dakota 89%
  7. North Dakota State University 95%
  8. Dickinson State University 99%
  1. Minot State University 11 to 1
  2. University of Mary 11 to 1
  3. University of Jamestown 12 to 1
  4. Mayville State University 13 to 1
  5. Valley City State University 13 to 1
  6. Dickinson State University 13 to 1
  7. Bismarck State College 14 to 1
  8. University of North Dakota 17 to 1
  9. North Dakota State University 19 to 1
  1. Bismarck State College $4,007
  2. Mayville State University $6,266
  3. Valley City State University $6,364
  4. Dickinson State University $6,474
  5. Minot State University $8,164
  6. University of North Dakota $8,882
  7. North Dakota State University $8,951
  8. University of Mary $20,290
  9. University of Jamestown $23,498
  1. University of Jamestown $4,106
  2. Dickinson State University $6,060
  3. Valley City State University $6,351
  4. North Dakota State University $7,293
  5. Mayville State University $7,305
  6. Minot State University $8,992
  7. University of North Dakota $11,503
  8. University of Mary $12,244

Colleges and Universities in North Dakota

The majority of the higher learning institutes in North Dakota are public schools and almost all of the schools could be considered small schools, serving less than 5,000 students. The state’s two largest schools, however, the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and North Dakota State University in Fargo, each have a student population around 12,000 students. Tuition at both of these schools comes in just below the national average at $9,000.

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At UND and NDSU, students can study fields such as engineering, chemistry, law, and education. Additionally, students can attend one of the state’s five private schools, three of which have religious affiliations. Students who attend these schools can pursue degrees in fields like nursing, religious studies, education, and earth sciences. North Dakota also offers a private tribal college, United Tribes Technical College, located in the state’s capital, Bismarck, where students can expect to pay around $4,000 in tuition fees.

As the country’s number one producer of honey and sunflowers, and home to part of the international Peace Garden, North Dakota’s landscape is a thing of natural beauty. This magnificent state also has its fair share of one-of-a-kind attractions, including the Badlands Dinosaur Museum, which features world-class minerals and fossils, and the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Heritage Center, which gives an inside look at this Native American tribe’s unique culture and traditions. The state also boasts 19 colleges and universities for students hoping to earn a higher education degree.

Discover more about earning your degree in North Dakota by exploring some of the state’s top programs.


What are North Dakota’s Colleges & Universities?

North Dakota’s Best Overall

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

North Dakota's Best Colleges and Universities Badge
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We’ve identified 9 colleges and universities in North Dakota that meet our criteria. This list of the top colleges in North Dakota below focuses on schools that offer bachelor’s degrees. The ranking features fully accredited public and private colleges and universities in North Dakota.

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Best Colleges in North Dakota 2023

  1. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    65%

    Student body

    14K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1135/23

    Career Outlook for degree at North Dakota State University

    Cost of Degree: $10,792
    Expenses: $13,576
    Starting Salary: $55,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. #5

    University of Mary

    Bismarck , ND
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $20K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    64%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1110/23

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Mary

    Cost of Degree: $20,900
    Expenses: $12,286
    Starting Salary: $53,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Mary known for?

    University of Mary’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    99%

    Graduation

    36%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1001/19

    Career Outlook for degree at Dickinson State University

    Cost of Degree: $9,118
    Expenses: $12,440
    Starting Salary: $49,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Dickinson State University known for?

    Dickinson State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  4. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    81%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    975/19

    Career Outlook for degree at Valley City State University

    Cost of Degree: $8,458
    Expenses: $12,487
    Starting Salary: $41,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Valley City State University known for?

    Valley City State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  5. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    61%

    Graduation

    32%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1065/20

    Career Outlook for degree at Mayville State University

    Cost of Degree: $7,873
    Expenses: $13,622
    Starting Salary: $43,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Mayville State University known for?

    Mayville State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

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North Dakota’s Best Colleges in Your Area of Interest

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

  1. University of North Dakota
  2. University of Jamestown
  3. North Dakota State University
  4. Bismarck State College
  5. Dickinson State University
  6. Minot State University
  7. University of Mary
  8. Mayville State University
  9. Valley City State University
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