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North Dakota teacher education programs show striking cost differences between community colleges at $3,455 and private universities reaching $20,396. Valley City State University graduates earn the highest median salary at $43,000 while maintaining reasonable net costs at $13,613. The state's teacher shortage in rural districts creates strong job prospects for education majors, particularly in agricultural and energy-rich communities where specialized subject area teachers are needed. Most programs maintain high acceptance rates above 80%, making teacher education accessible across the state's 12 institutions.
12
Programs
$3,455 – $20,396
Net Price Range
$41,375
Avg. Program Earnings
48.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

12 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $12,514 $39,729 $8,634 47.8% 93.2%
2 $13,613 $43,000 $8,514 48.1% 83.5%
3 $14,454 $41,725 $7,935 40.3% 71.2%
4 $15,270 $42,682 $9,118 43.4% 72.0%
5 $16,334 $40,747 $10,857 63.7% 95.7%
6 $18,998 $40,365 $10,951 63.3% 83.3%
7 $10,725 $5,195 48.0%
8 $20,318 $24,820 44.0% 92.0%
9 $18,568 $21,468 68.2% 81.4%
10 $3,455 $4,010 23.9%
11 $20,396 $18,762 38.8% 44.4%
12 $3,474 $2,626 54.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Valley City State University stand out for teacher education value?

Valley City State offers the highest graduate earnings at $43,000 with a net cost of just $13,613, creating an excellent return on investment. The university also maintains a 48.10% graduation rate and accepts 83.45% of applicants.

How do community colleges compare to four-year universities for teacher preparation costs?

Sitting Bull College and Turtle Mountain Community College offer the lowest net costs at $3,455 and $3,474 respectively. However, four-year programs like Minot State at $12,514 provide complete teacher certification with earnings potential around $39,729.

Does North Dakota State University justify its higher costs for teacher education?

NDSU charges $16,334 net cost but delivers a 63.70% graduation rate, significantly higher than most alternatives. However, graduate earnings at $40,747 don't substantially exceed smaller state universities that cost $3,000 less annually.

Where do North Dakota teacher education graduates find the best job opportunities?

Rural districts across North Dakota's oil and agricultural regions face teacher shortages, creating strong demand for subject area specialists. The state's low unemployment rate and teacher retention initiatives support stable career prospects for education graduates.

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.