Most Affordable Colleges in North Dakota 2025
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
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 Best Schools for Becoming an Air Traffic Controller in 2024 #5 15 Best Self-Paced Online Colleges Ranked for 2025 #1 Best Research Universities in North Dakota 2024 #1 Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2024
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
83%
Graduation
63%
Student body
17K
Career Outlook for degree at University of North Dakota
Cost of Degree: $10,951Expenses: $15,292Starting Salary: $57,800Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of North Dakota known for?
University of North Dakota’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Best Research Universities in North Dakota 2024 #2 Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #2 Best Grad Schools North Dakota 2025 #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
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: $10,857Expenses: $13,841Starting Salary: $55,500Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is North Dakota State University known for?
North Dakota State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #1 Best Small Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Dakota 2025 #3 Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
45%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1085/19
Career Outlook for degree at Minot State University
Cost of Degree: $8,633Expenses: $13,060Starting Salary: $46,900Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Minot State University known for?
Minot State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Dakota 2025 #4 Best Small Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #4 Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #6 Best Colleges in North Dakota 2024
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: $9,118Expenses: $12,440Starting Salary: $49,300Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Dickinson State University known for?
Dickinson State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Dakota 2025 #6 Best Small Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #6 Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #8 Best Colleges in North Dakota 2024
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
51%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Bismarck State College
Cost of Degree: $5,195Expenses: $12,800Starting Salary: $53,600Cost Recoup Time: 8 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Bismarck State College known for?
Bismarck State College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Dakota 2025 #7 Best Small Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #7 Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #9 Best Colleges in North Dakota 2024
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
71%
Graduation
35%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Mayville State University
Cost of Degree: $7,935Expenses: $13,188Starting Salary: $43,300Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Mayville State University known for?
Mayville State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #5 Best Small Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #5 Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Dakota 2025 #7 Best Colleges in North Dakota 2024
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: $8,514Expenses: $12,616Starting Salary: $41,700Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Valley City State University known for?
Valley City State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Education
- Sociology
- Biology
- Computer Science
- Business
- Chemistry
- History
- Communications
- Psychology
- Engineering
Most Influential Alumni
