Best Colleges in North Dakota 2026

North Dakota's top-ranked colleges reflect the state's commitment to accessible, quality education through its public institution network. All five leading schools are public colleges, demonstrating how state-supported education drives academic excellence in the region. The University of North Dakota leads with comprehensive research opportunities and strong professional programs, while specialized institutions like North Dakota State College of Science excel in technical education. Among 9 qualifying institutions statewide, students should prioritize schools offering strong career placement rates, affordable tuition, and programs aligned with regional job markets in energy, agriculture, and healthcare. Consider factors like class sizes, faculty credentials, and internship partnerships when evaluating options.

Schools Ranked

$45,408

Avg. Earnings

44.8%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 20 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Graduation Rate	Median Earnings	Acceptance Rate	In-State Tuition
1	Bismarck State College Bismarck, North Dakota	48.0%	$54,277		$5,195
2	Lake Region State College Devils Lake, North Dakota	50.6%	$49,502		$5,478
3	North Dakota State College of Science Wahpeton, North Dakota	49.9%	$50,513		$5,928
4	University of North Dakota Grand Forks, North Dakota	63.3%	$63,552	83.3%	$10,951
5	Dakota College at Bottineau Bottineau, North Dakota	53.4%	$40,576		$5,347
6	University of Mary Bismarck, North Dakota	68.2%	$60,909	81.4%	$21,468
7	Turtle Mountain Community College Belcourt, North Dakota	54.5%	$32,079		$2,626
8	North Dakota State University-Main Campus Fargo, North Dakota	63.7%	$62,203	95.7%	$10,857
9	Rasmussen University-North Dakota Fargo, North Dakota	57.9%	$39,080		$12,715
10	Williston State College Williston, North Dakota	39.5%	$44,017		$4,938
11	Dickinson State University Dickinson, North Dakota	43.4%	$50,720	72.0%	$9,118
12	Valley City State University Valley City, North Dakota	48.1%	$52,725	83.5%	$8,514
13	Mayville State University Mayville, North Dakota	40.3%	$47,828	71.2%	$7,935
14	Minot State University Minot, North Dakota	47.8%	$51,759	93.2%	$8,634
15	Trinity Bible College and Graduate School Ellendale, North Dakota	38.8%	$35,604	44.4%	$18,762
16	United Tribes Technical College Bismarck, North Dakota	33.8%	$25,292		$4,252
17	Sitting Bull College Fort Yates, North Dakota	23.9%	$28,488		$4,010
18	University of Jamestown Jamestown, North Dakota	44.0%	$56,621	92.0%	$24,820
19	Cankdeska Cikana Community College Fort Totten, North Dakota	9.1%	$17,008		$3,950
20	Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College New Town, North Dakota	17.1%			$3,870