Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Dakota 2024

Badge for BEST IN NORTH DAKOTA LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES
By Dr. James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Liberal arts colleges are a great option for students seeking a well-rounded education in an intimate campus setting. The best liberal arts colleges in North Dakota offer a diverse selection of degree programs with opportunities for a highly individualized educational experience.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Dakota

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  1. Minot State University
  2. University of Jamestown
  3. Dickinson State University
  4. Valley City State University
  5. Bismarck State College
  6. Mayville State University
  1. Minot State University
  2. University of Jamestown
  3. Dickinson State University
  4. Bismarck State College
  5. Mayville State University
  6. Valley City State University
  1. Minot State University 93%
  2. University of Jamestown 92%
  3. Valley City State University 83%
  4. Dickinson State University 72%
  5. Mayville State University 71%
  1. Bismarck State College 14 to 1
  2. Mayville State University 14 to 1
  3. Dickinson State University 13 to 1
  4. Valley City State University 12 to 1
  5. University of Jamestown 12 to 1
  6. Minot State University 10 to 1
  1. University of Jamestown $24,200
  2. Minot State University $8,508
  3. Dickinson State University $7,470
  4. Valley City State University $6,619
  5. Mayville State University $6,517
  6. Bismarck State College $4,167
  1. University of Jamestown $11,128
  2. Minot State University $9,352
  3. Mayville State University $7,597
  4. Valley City State University $6,605
  5. Dickinson State University $6,060
  1. Mayville State University
  2. Bismarck State College
  3. Valley City State University
  4. Dickinson State University
  5. University of Jamestown
  6. Minot State University
  1. Valley City State University
  2. Mayville State University
  3. Bismarck State College
  4. Dickinson State University
  5. University of Jamestown
  6. Minot State University
  1. Mayville State University 71%
  2. Dickinson State University 72%
  3. Valley City State University 83%
  4. University of Jamestown 92%
  5. Minot State University 93%
  1. Minot State University 10 to 1
  2. Valley City State University 12 to 1
  3. University of Jamestown 12 to 1
  4. Dickinson State University 13 to 1
  5. Bismarck State College 14 to 1
  6. Mayville State University 14 to 1
  1. Bismarck State College $4,167
  2. Mayville State University $6,517
  3. Valley City State University $6,619
  4. Dickinson State University $7,470
  5. Minot State University $8,508
  6. University of Jamestown $24,200
  1. Dickinson State University $6,060
  2. Valley City State University $6,605
  3. Mayville State University $7,597
  4. Minot State University $9,352
  5. University of Jamestown $11,128

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.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

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 Liberal Arts Colleges Badge
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A liberal arts college is a school that puts a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. We’ve identified 6 liberal arts colleges in North Dakota. To be ranked among the best liberal arts colleges in North Dakota, schools must fully accredited institutions.

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Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Dakota 2023

  3. #3

    Dickinson State University

    Dickinson , ND
    #4 Best Small Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #4 Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #6 Best Colleges in North Dakota 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    72%

    Graduation

    44%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1002/18

    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:

    Compare school
  4. #4

    Valley City State University

    Valley City , ND
    #5 Best Small Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #5 Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #7 Best Colleges in North Dakota 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    47%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1070/20

    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

    Compare school
  5. #5

    Bismarck State College

    Bismarck , ND
    #6 Best Small Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #6 Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #8 Best Colleges in North Dakota 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    51%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Bismarck State College

    Cost of Degree: $5,143
    Expenses: $12,330
    Starting Salary: $53,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Bismarck State College known for?

    Bismarck State College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  7. #6

    Mayville State University

    Mayville , ND
    #7 Best Small Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #7 Most Affordable Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #7 Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #9 Best Colleges in North Dakota 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    71%

    Graduation

    35%

    Student body

    1K

    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

    Compare school
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North Dakota’s Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Your Area of Interest

Anthropology Biology Business Chemistry Commun­ications Computer Science Criminal Justice Earth Sciences Economics Education Engineering History Law Literature Mathematics Medical Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Work Sociology
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 Jamestown
  2. Minot State University
  3. Dickinson State University

Check out our directory of liberal arts colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top liberal arts schools in every state.

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