2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in North Dakota
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for general studies students.
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2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in North Dakota
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Minot State University the best value for a degree in general studies in North Dakota. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,702. Students borrow a median of $29,147 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $44,614. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minot State University admits about 65% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at United Tribes Technical College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Bismarck, United Tribes Technical College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,232. Graduates go on to earn a median of $25,292 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Valley City State University earned it the #3 place for general studies. Set in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,580, with out-of-state students paying around $13,544. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $25,074. General Studies graduates of Valley City State University earn a median of $48,241 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,074 median debt. Valley City State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Dakota College At Bottineau came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Bottineau, Dakota College At Bottineau is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,388, compared with $6,294 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Dakota College At Bottineau earn a median of $66,195 early in their careers. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Mayville State University one of the best values for general studies. Set in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,979, compared with $11,237 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $27,926 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Mayville State University generally make around $34,306. Set against $27,926 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Mary earned the #6 position for value in general studies this year. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. Students from in state pay about $22,356 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $65,565. That is a strong return on a $26,983 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Dakota ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $24,901. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $42,948. Set against $24,901 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
More General Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
