by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in North Dakota? This list ranks 12 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. These are our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — see Customize Your Rankings below for aid-adjusted and by-degree views.
To help you make your decision, College Factual reviewed 12 schools to build this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
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After analyzing 12 schools in North Dakota to determine which deliver the best value. We steer clear of subjective measures and weigh objective factors instead.
The first step is the school’s combined average tuition, fees, and room and board — what a student pays before aid, which is why this is our No Aid ranking. Cost alone isn’t enough — overall quality matters too. We weigh cost against outcomes such as graduation rates, educational resources, and what graduates earn.
That balance of cost and outcomes is what drives the ranking below. View our full ranking methodology.
The best value for you depends on what and where you want to study. Refine the list by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. Start by picking a degree level:
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Williston State College earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in North Dakota. Williston State College is a public school based in Williston, ND. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,114. Williston State College students take on a median of $15,400 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,017 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bismarck State College came in at #2 on this year's best-value ranking in North Dakota. Located in Bismarck, ND, Bismarck State College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, with out-of-state students paying around $7,331. The median program debt is $13,340. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Out of the 12 schools in North Dakota in this year's value ranking, Turtle Mountain Community College landed the #3 spot. Located in Belcourt, ND, Turtle Mountain Community College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,794. Turtle Mountain Community College alumni report median earnings of $32,079 a decade after entry.
You'll get strong value at North Dakota State College Of Science, which ranked #4 this year. This public school is set in Wahpeton, ND. In-state tuition and fees average $5,974, with out-of-state students paying around $6,973. Typical student debt is $15,706. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,513. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
United Tribes Technical College came in at #5 on this year's best-value ranking in North Dakota. Based in Bismarck, ND, United Tribes Technical College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,232. Graduates go on to earn a median of $25,292 ten years after entry.
Sitting Bull College landed the #6 spot for value in North Dakota this year. Based in Fort Yates, ND, Sitting Bull College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,010. Median earnings reach $28,488 ten years out.
Lake Region State College landed the #7 spot for value in North Dakota this year. Set in Devils Lake, ND, Lake Region State College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,520. Graduates carry a median of $15,784 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fort Berthold Community College landed the #8 spot for value in North Dakota this year. Set in New Town, ND, Fort Berthold Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,870.
Minot State University came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Based in Minot, ND, Minot State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,702. Students borrow a median of $25,788 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,759. Set against $25,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minot State University has an acceptance rate of 65%.
Cankdeska Cikana Community College landed the #10 spot for value in North Dakota this year. Cankdeska Cikana Community College is a public school based in Fort Totten, ND. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,950. Graduates go on to earn a median of $17,008 ten years after entry.
Valley City State University offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Valley City State University is a public school based in Valley City, ND. In-state tuition and fees average $8,580, with out-of-state students paying around $13,544. Typical student debt is $25,074. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,725 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Valley City State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Dakota College At Bottineau came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Located in Bottineau, ND, Dakota College At Bottineau is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,388, with out-of-state students paying around $6,294. The median program debt is $19,161. Median earnings reach $40,576 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mayville State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Mayville, ND. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,979, compared with $11,237 for out-of-state students. Mayville State University students take on a median of $27,464 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,828. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dickinson State University came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Based in Dickinson, ND, Dickinson State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,118. Students borrow a median of $27,266 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,720 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 37% of those who apply are admitted.
North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Students borrow a median of $25,153 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,203 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,153 median debt. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Josefs West Academy placed #16 among the best values in North Dakota. Set in Fargo, ND, Josefs West Academy is a private for-profit institution. Josefs West Academy students take on a median of $9,958 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $27,987. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The Salon Professional Academy Fargo came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Set in Fargo, ND, The Salon Professional Academy Fargo is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $31,497 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Josefs School Of Hair Design Inc Grand Forks landed the #18 spot for value in North Dakota this year. Set in Grand Forks, ND, Josefs School Of Hair Design Inc Grand Forks is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $9,958 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $27,987. Set against $9,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rasmussen College North Dakota placed #19 among the best values in North Dakota. Set in Fargo, ND, Rasmussen College North Dakota is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,404. The median program debt is $28,798. Median earnings reach $39,080 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Mary landed the #20 spot for value in North Dakota this year. Located in Bismarck, ND, University Of Mary is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $22,356. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete their program here. University Of Mary alumni report median earnings of $60,909 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
The Hair Academy came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. The Hair Academy is a private for-profit school based in Bismarck, ND. The Hair Academy students take on a median of $11,809 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $31,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Dakota placed #22 among the best values in North Dakota. University Of North Dakota is a public school based in Grand Forks, ND. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,552. Set against $25,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Dakota has an acceptance rate of 77%.
Jamestown College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Jamestown, ND, Jamestown College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $24,990. Jamestown College students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Median earnings reach $56,621 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. About 88% of those who apply are admitted.
Trinity Bible College placed #24 among the best values in North Dakota. Set in Ellendale, ND, Trinity Bible College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,700. Median earnings reach $35,604 ten years out. About 26% of those who apply are admitted.
Lynnes Welding Training ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Fargo, ND, Lynnes Welding Training is a private for-profit institution. The median program debt is $3,700.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 12 schools evaluated. References
More about our data sources and methodologies.
