Most Affordable Colleges in North Dakota 2024

Badge for MOST AFFORDABLE COLLEGES IN NORTH DAKOTA
By Dr. James Barham
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.

Most Affordable Colleges in North Dakota 2024

Sort by:
  1. University of North Dakota
  2. North Dakota State University
  3. Minot State University
  4. Dickinson State University
  5. Valley City State University
  6. Bismarck State College
  7. Mayville State University
  1. University of North Dakota
  2. North Dakota State University
  3. Minot State University
  4. Dickinson State University
  5. Bismarck State College
  6. Mayville State University
  7. Valley City State University
  1. North Dakota State University 96%
  2. Minot State University 93%
  3. University of North Dakota 83%
  4. Valley City State University 83%
  5. Dickinson State University 72%
  6. Mayville State University 71%
  1. North Dakota State University 17 to 1
  2. University of North Dakota 17 to 1
  3. Bismarck State College 14 to 1
  4. Mayville State University 14 to 1
  5. Dickinson State University 13 to 1
  6. Valley City State University 12 to 1
  7. Minot State University 10 to 1
  1. North Dakota State University $9,309
  2. University of North Dakota $9,237
  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 North Dakota $11,963
  2. Minot State University $9,352
  3. Mayville State University $7,597
  4. North Dakota State University $7,585
  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. Minot State University
  6. North Dakota State University
  7. University of North Dakota
  1. Valley City State University
  2. Mayville State University
  3. Bismarck State College
  4. Dickinson State University
  5. Minot State University
  6. North Dakota State University
  7. University of North Dakota
  1. Mayville State University 71%
  2. Dickinson State University 72%
  3. Valley City State University 83%
  4. University of North Dakota 83%
  5. Minot State University 93%
  6. North Dakota State University 96%
  1. Minot State University 10 to 1
  2. Valley City State University 12 to 1
  3. Dickinson State University 13 to 1
  4. Bismarck State College 14 to 1
  5. Mayville State University 14 to 1
  6. North Dakota State University 17 to 1
  7. University of North Dakota 17 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 North Dakota $9,237
  7. North Dakota State University $9,309
  1. Dickinson State University $6,060
  2. Valley City State University $6,605
  3. North Dakota State University $7,585
  4. Mayville State University $7,597
  5. Minot State University $9,352
  6. University of North Dakota $11,963

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 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities Badge
Download Badge

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.

Back to Top

Most Affordable Colleges in North Dakota 2023

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 2024 #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #1 Best Grad Schools North Dakota 2024
    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: $14,416
    Starting Salary: $57,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 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 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #2 Best Grad Schools North Dakota 2024 #2 Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #2 Best Research Universities in North Dakota 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: $10,792
    Expenses: $13,576
    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 2024 #4 Best Small 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
  5. #5

    Valley City State University

    Valley City , ND
    #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #5 Best Small 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
  7. #6

    Bismarck State College

    Bismarck , ND
    #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #6 Best Small 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
  8. #7

    Mayville State University

    Mayville , ND
    #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Dakota 2024 #7 Best Small 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
Back to Top

North Dakota’s Most Affordable 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
  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
Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here