Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2023

Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2023
By James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Public colleges and universities account for almost 75 percent of all undergraduate students in the U.S. The best public colleges in North Dakota provide broad access to reputable degree programs, affordable tuition, and sprawling educational communities.

Best Public Colleges in North Dakota

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  1. University of North Dakota
    2. 45%
  2. North Dakota State University
    3. 40%
  3. Minot State University
    4. 29%
  4. Dickinson State University
    5. 23%
  5. Bismarck State College
    6. 19%
  6. Mayville State University
    7. 19%
  7. Valley City State University
    8. 18%
  1. Dickinson State University
    2. 99%
  2. North Dakota State University
    3. 95%
  3. University of North Dakota
    4. 89%
  4. Minot State University
    5. 88%
  5. Valley City State University
    6. 81%
  6. Mayville State University
    7. 61%
  1. North Dakota State University
    2. 19 to 1
  2. University of North Dakota
    3. 17 to 1
  3. Bismarck State College
    4. 14 to 1
  4. Mayville State University
    5. 13 to 1
  5. Valley City State University
    6. 13 to 1
  6. Dickinson State University
    7. 13 to 1
  7. Minot State University
    8. 11 to 1
  1. North Dakota State University
    2. $8,951
  2. University of North Dakota
    3. $8,882
  3. Minot State University
    4. $8,164
  4. Dickinson State University
    5. $6,474
  5. Valley City State University
    6. $6,364
  6. Mayville State University
    7. $6,266
  7. Bismarck State College
    8. $4,007
  1. University of North Dakota
    2. $11,503
  2. Minot State University
    3. $8,992
  3. Mayville State University
    4. $7,305
  4. North Dakota State University
    5. $7,293
  5. Valley City State University
    6. $6,351
  6. Dickinson State University
    7. $6,060
  1. Valley City State University
    2. 18%
  2. Mayville State University
    3. 19%
  3. Bismarck State College
    4. 19%
  4. Dickinson State University
    5. 23%
  5. Minot State University
    6. 29%
  6. North Dakota State University
    7. 40%
  7. University of North Dakota
    8. 45%
  1. Mayville State University
    2. 61%
  2. Valley City State University
    3. 81%
  3. Minot State University
    4. 88%
  4. University of North Dakota
    5. 89%
  5. North Dakota State University
    6. 95%
  6. Dickinson State University
    7. 99%
  1. Minot State University
    2. 11 to 1
  2. Mayville State University
    3. 13 to 1
  3. Valley City State University
    4. 13 to 1
  4. Dickinson State University
    5. 13 to 1
  5. Bismarck State College
    6. 14 to 1
  6. University of North Dakota
    7. 17 to 1
  7. North Dakota State University
    8. 19 to 1
  1. Bismarck State College
    2. $4,007
  2. Mayville State University
    3. $6,266
  3. Valley City State University
    4. $6,364
  4. Dickinson State University
    5. $6,474
  5. Minot State University
    6. $8,164
  6. University of North Dakota
    7. $8,882
  7. North Dakota State University
    8. $8,951
  1. Dickinson State University
    2. $6,060
  2. Valley City State University
    3. $6,351
  3. North Dakota State University
    4. $7,293
  4. Mayville State University
    5. $7,305
  5. Minot State University
    6. $8,992
  6. University of North Dakota
    7. $11,503

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

What is the difference between public and private colleges?

Public and private colleges and universities operate under different business models. Public colleges and universities are owned by the state and receive both state and federal funding to operate. Private colleges and universities are private companies with private funding. If you’re looking at the pros and cons of private vs. public colleges, consider that many public colleges provide diverse course offerings, influential professors, and an excellent return on your investment.

Public colleges are schools that receive most of their funding from tax revenues. As a result, the cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public university is often lower than the equivalent cost at a private college — especially for students attending a public school in their home state. Attending a college in-state is usually the cheapest option. Private universities and colleges can be very competitive with their funding opportunities, so do not simply believe that private colleges are always going to be more expensive. According to National Center for Educational Statistics, the average annual cost (tuition, fees, room and board for full-time students) at a public university was slightly over $20,000. In contrast, private universities cost, on average, nearly $43,000 annually. But in the end, the cost of college comes down to each student’s academic and financial situation.

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This list is composed entirely of public colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 7 public universities in North Dakota. To be included in our list of the best public colleges in North Dakota, shcools must receive direct funding from the state, be fully accredited, and offer a broad range of bachelor’s degress.

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Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2022

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North Dakota’s Best Public College in Your Area of Interest

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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. North Dakota State University
  3. Minot State University
  4. Dickinson State University
  5. Valley City State University

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

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