Best Colleges in North Dakota

All 19 colleges in North Dakota, ranked by overall quality and led by University of Mary, University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University-Main Campus. 14 public, 5 private. median out-of-state tuition $8,702. lowest in-state tuition $3,870 at Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College. Each school below shows its acceptance rate, tuition and average SAT.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best college in North Dakota?

Based on our overall rankings, University of Mary is the top-ranked college in North Dakota. Other strong choices include University of North Dakota, North Dakota State University-Main Campus, North Dakota State College of Science.

How many colleges are in North Dakota?

We track 19 four-year colleges in North Dakota, including 14 public institutions and 5 private ones.

How much does college cost in North Dakota?

The average out-of-state tuition across colleges we track in North Dakota is approximately $8,702 per year. In-state students at public schools typically pay significantly less, and most schools offer financial aid that reduces the effective cost.

What are the best public colleges in North Dakota?

The best public colleges in North Dakota include University of North Dakota, North Dakota State University-Main Campus, North Dakota State College of Science. Public universities typically offer lower tuition for in-state residents.

What are the best private colleges in North Dakota?

The best private colleges in North Dakota include University of Mary, University of Jamestown, Rasmussen University-North Dakota. Private colleges may offer more generous financial aid despite higher sticker prices.

How are these North Dakota rankings determined?

Our overall rankings are calculated independently from publicly available data including U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS, and aggregated student-experience signals — not from US News or any other publication.

1. 1. University of Mary — Bismarck, ND · 75.3% acceptance · SAT 1,159 · $22,356 tuition · 67% grad rate
2. 2. University of North Dakota — Grand Forks, ND · 76.9% acceptance · $15,570 tuition · 60% grad rate
3. 3. North Dakota State University-Main Campus — Fargo, ND · 95% acceptance · SAT 1,150 · $15,764 tuition · 64% grad rate
4. 4. North Dakota State College of Science — Wahpeton, ND · $6,973 tuition · 55% grad rate
5. 5. Bismarck State College — Bismarck, ND · $7,331 tuition · 47% grad rate
6. 6. Valley City State University — Valley City, ND · 99.1% acceptance · SAT 1,041 · $13,544 tuition · 53% grad rate
7. 7. University of Jamestown — Jamestown, ND · 88.1% acceptance · $24,990 tuition · 49% grad rate
8. 8. Lake Region State College — Devils Lake, ND · $5,520 tuition · 52% grad rate
9. 9. Rasmussen University-North Dakota — Fargo, ND · $13,957 tuition · 45% grad rate
10. 10. Dickinson State University — Dickinson, ND · 37% acceptance · $9,118 tuition · 51% grad rate
11. 11. Minot State University — Minot, ND · 64.6% acceptance · SAT 1,051 · $8,702 tuition · 45% grad rate
12. 12. Mayville State University — Mayville, ND · $11,237 tuition · 41% grad rate
13. 13. Dakota College at Bottineau — Bottineau, ND · $6,294 tuition · 48% grad rate
14. 14. Williston State College — Williston, ND · $6,128 tuition · 42% grad rate
15. 15. Trinity Bible College and Graduate School — Ellendale, ND · 25.8% acceptance · $19,700 tuition · 46% grad rate
16. 16. Cankdeska Cikana Community College — Fort Totten, ND · $3,950 tuition · 22% grad rate
17. 17. United Tribes Technical College — Bismarck, ND · $4,632 tuition · 28% grad rate
18. 18. Sitting Bull College — Fort Yates, ND · $4,010 tuition · 22% grad rate
19. 19. Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College — New Town, ND · $3,870 tuition · 7% grad rate

Best Colleges in North Dakota on PickACampus