Most Affordable Colleges in North Dakota 2025

Badge for MOST AFFORDABLE COLLEGES IN NORTH-DAKOTA
By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Chloe Dembski
Published:
Updated:

Here are the most affordable colleges and universities in North Dakota. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you, at a price you can afford.

Key Takeaways

  • Many affordable colleges in North Dakota emphasize programs in agriculture, energy, healthcare, and technology, offering students hands-on training, internships, and certifications in industries that are vital to the state’s economy and provide high job placement rates.
  • Affordable community colleges in North Dakota have established clear transfer agreements with four-year institutions, allowing students to start their education with low-cost tuition and easily transfer to complete their bachelor’s degrees without losing credits.
  • Affordable colleges in North Dakota offer some of the most affordable tuition rates in the Midwest, along with scholarships, grants, and work-study programs that make higher education accessible for students from diverse financial backgrounds.

Most Affordable Colleges in North Dakota in 2025

  1. University of North Dakota
  2. North Dakota State University
  3. Minot State University
  4. Dickinson State University
  5. Bismarck State College
    +1
  6. Mayville State University
    +1
  7. Valley City State University
    –2

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

In 2025, the top schools in our ranking of the most affordable colleges in North Dakota saw slight shifts. Bismarck State College, for example, was able to rise to the fifth ranking position as the college further developed its Energy Technology Program, which includes new state-of-the-art simulation labs for hands-on training in renewable energy, power generation, and energy management. The college has also enhanced its online learning platforms, providing more flexible course options and virtual labs for students pursuing degrees remotely.

Additionally, BSC has invested in its student support services, expanding mental health resources, academic advising, and career counseling to foster student success and well-being. These updates reflect BSC’s commitment to innovation, flexibility, and comprehensive student support.

There are 7 colleges and universities in North Dakota with stated tuitions and fees under $20,000/year. The following list of the most affordable colleges and universities in North Dakota is composed entirely of schools offering bachelor’s degree programs, have stated tuition and fees near or under the national average of $16,000/year, and are fully accredited colleges.

Most Affordable Colleges in North Dakota

These schools are ranked by academic excellence, and all under $20,000/year.

  1. #1

    University of North Dakota

    Grand Forks , ND
    #1 Best Schools for Becoming an Air Traffic Controller in 2024 #5 15 Best Self-paced Online Colleges Ranked for 2025 #1 Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #1 Best Grad Schools North Dakota 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    63%

    Student body

    17K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of North Dakota

    Cost of Degree: $10,951
    Expenses: $15,292
    Starting Salary: $57,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of North Dakota known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  2. #2

    North Dakota State University

    Fargo , ND
    #2 Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #2 Best Grad Schools North Dakota 2025 #2 Best Research Universities in North Dakota 2024 #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    63%

    Student body

    14K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1092/22

    Career Outlook for degree at North Dakota State University

    Cost of Degree: $10,857
    Expenses: $13,841
    Starting Salary: $55,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is North Dakota State University known for?

    North Dakota State University’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 Best Small 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
  6. #5

    Bismarck State College

    Bismarck , ND
    #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Dakota 2025 #6 Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #6 Best Small 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
  7. #6

    Mayville State University

    Mayville , ND
    #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Dakota 2025 #7 Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #7 Best Small 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
  8. #7

    Valley City State University

    Valley City , ND
    #5 Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #5 Best Small Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #6 Best Liberal Arts 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
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North Dakota’s Most Affordable Colleges in Your Area of Interest

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2021 Ranking Archive
  1. Bismarck State College
  2. Mayville State University
  3. Dickinson State University
  4. Minot State University
  5. Valley City State University
  6. University of North Dakota
  7. North Dakota State University
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