Best Small Colleges in North Dakota 2024

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By Dr. James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Small colleges in North Dakota are a great option for students interested in a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Whether the focus is on the technical or on the liberal arts, small colleges give you the chance to pursue a well-rounded education while working closely with classmates and professors in a dynamic community atmosphere.

Best Small Colleges in North Dakota 2024

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  1. Minot State University
  2. University of Jamestown
  3. University of Mary
  4. Dickinson State University
  5. Valley City State University
  6. Bismarck State College
  7. Mayville State University
  1. Minot State University
  2. University of Jamestown
  3. University of Mary
  4. Dickinson State University
  5. Bismarck State College
  6. Mayville State University
  7. Valley City State University
  1. Minot State University 93%
  2. University of Jamestown 92%
  3. Valley City State University 83%
  4. University of Mary 81%
  5. Dickinson State University 72%
  6. Mayville State University 71%
  1. Mayville State University 14 to 1
  2. University of Mary 14 to 1
  3. Bismarck State College 14 to 1
  4. Dickinson State University 13 to 1
  5. Valley City State University 12 to 1
  6. University of Jamestown 12 to 1
  7. Minot State University 10 to 1
  1. University of Jamestown $24,200
  2. University of Mary $21,062
  3. Minot State University $8,508
  4. Dickinson State University $7,470
  5. Valley City State University $6,619
  6. Mayville State University $6,517
  7. Bismarck State College $4,167
  1. University of Mary $11,238
  2. University of Jamestown $11,128
  3. Minot State University $9,352
  4. Mayville State University $7,597
  5. Valley City State University $6,605
  6. 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 Mary
  6. University of Jamestown
  7. Minot State University
  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
  1. Mayville State University 71%
  2. Dickinson State University 72%
  3. University of Mary 81%
  4. Valley City State University 83%
  5. University of Jamestown 92%
  6. 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. Mayville State University 14 to 1
  6. University of Mary 14 to 1
  7. Bismarck State College 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 Mary $21,062
  7. 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
  6. University of Mary $11,238

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

North Dakota's Best Small Colleges and Universities Badge
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The following list of the best small colleges and universities in North Dakota is composed mainly of four-year undergraduate schools (though a handful also offer graduate programs). We’ve identified 7 small colleges in North Dakota. The list below of the best small colleges in North Dakota. To be included schools must fully accredited, and must have student body populations below 5,000 students.

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Best Small Colleges in North Dakota 2023

  3. #3

    University of Mary

    Bismarck , ND
    #2 Best Christian Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #2 Best Private Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #3 Best Grad Schools North Dakota 2025 #3 Best Research Universities in North Dakota 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $21K

    Acceptance

    81%

    Graduation

    64%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1208/24

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Mary

    Cost of Degree: $21,468
    Expenses: $12,790
    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

    Compare school
  4. #4

    Dickinson State University

    Dickinson , ND
    #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Dakota 2025 #4 Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in North Dakota 2025 #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
  5. #5

    Valley City State University

    Valley City , ND
    #5 Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Dakota 2025 #7 Most Affordable Colleges in North Dakota 2025 #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: $8,514
    Expenses: $12,616
    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
  7. #6

    Bismarck State College

    Bismarck , ND
    #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Dakota 2025 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in North Dakota 2025 #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: $5,195
    Expenses: $12,800
    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
  8. #7

    Mayville State University

    Mayville , ND
    #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Dakota 2025 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in North Dakota 2025 #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: $7,935
    Expenses: $13,188
    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 Small College in Your Area of Interest

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2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 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. University of Mary
  4. Dickinson State University
  5. Valley City State University

Many states have great small colleges. If you’re interested in looking into what other states have to offer, check out the best small colleges in Michigan and Maryland.

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