Most Affordable Colleges in North Dakota 2026
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 2026
There are 7 colleges and universities in North Dakota with stated tuitions and fees under $20,000/year. This guide focuses on accredited institutions that offer bachelor’s degrees and report tuition and fees at or below the national average, highlighting options that are realistically affordable for many students.
Use the list to compare sticker tuition, in-state versus out-of-state pricing, and typical additional costs such as room, board, and fees; consider each school’s financial aid availability and net-price trends rather than tuition alone. The entries prioritize schools that combine low published costs with accredited bachelor’s programs and offer enough program variety to support degree completion without transferring unnecessarily.
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 2026 #5 15 Best Self-Paced Online Colleges Ranked for 2026 #1 Best Research Universities in North Dakota 2026 #1 Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2026
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 2026 #2 Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2026 #2 Best Grad Schools North Dakota 2026 #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2026
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
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Dakota 2026 #3 Best Small Colleges in North Dakota 2026 #3 Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2026 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2026
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 2026 #4 Best Small Colleges in North Dakota 2026 #4 Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2026 #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 2026 #5 Best Small Colleges in North Dakota 2026 #5 Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2026 #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 2026 #6 Best Small Colleges in North Dakota 2026 #6 Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2026 #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
- #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Dakota 2026 #7 Best Small Colleges in North Dakota 2026 #7 Best Public Colleges in North Dakota 2026 #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
