2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in North Dakota
It's not easy to decide which school to attend when you have so many options available. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our Best Associate Degree Colleges in North Dakota ranking is part of that endeavor.
What's on This Page: * Our Methodology
Choosing the Best School for You
After analyzing 8 schools in North Dakota, we came up with our list of those that offered the best associate degree programs. Our ranking methodology focuses on different objective factors to make this determination of the best schools. In the next few paragraphs, we'll talk a little about what we use in our analysis and why.
Average Early-Career Salaries
To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving an associate degree from the school. That is, everyone wants their degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
Student Loan Borrowing
Students may also take on a lot of debt while working on their associate so we factor that into our rankings as well.
During their time at college, associate degree seekers from schools in North Dakota take out an average of $19,208.
We consider this number in conjunction with average post-graduation earnings to gauge the difficulty associate recipients will have paying back their loans.
Additional Ranking Factors We Use
In addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt loads, we also look at a host of other factors to determining our Best Associate Degree Schools ranking.
These factors include things like the educational resources, the demand associated with the school, whether or not the school offers online classes, and the student body caliber - just to name a few.
Find out more about our best schools ranking methodology
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Top Associate Degree Schools in North Dakota
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
792
Associate Degrees Awarded
$52,912
Average Early-Career Earnings
$13,549
Average Student Debt
Our 2024 rankings named Bismarck State College the best school in North Dakota in terms of overall quality for students working on their associate degree. Bismarck, North Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 792 students in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from BSC make an average of $52,912 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $13,549 after getting their degree.
Learn More About Bismarck State College
460
Associate Degrees Awarded
$41,257
Average Early-Career Earnings
$15,415
Average Student Debt
The excellent associate degree programs at North Dakota State College of Science helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in North Dakota. North Dakota State College of Science is a small public school located in Wahpeton, North Dakota that handed out 460 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from North Dakota State College of Science make an average of $41,257 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $15,415.
Full North Dakota State College of Science Report
189
Associate Degrees Awarded
$39,207
Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,834
Average Student Debt
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Rasmussen University - North Dakota. The school came in at #3 in North Dakota on this year’s best associate degree schools ranking. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, the small private for-profit school handed out 189 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a associate degree from Rasmussen University - North Dakota go into careers with an average salary of $39,207 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $25,834 after getting their degree. Average monthly loan payments are around $175 for a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Rasmussen University - North Dakota
120
Associate Degrees Awarded
$45,945
Average Early-Career Earnings
$19,813
Average Student Debt
Out of the 8 associate degree schools in North Dakota that were part of this year’s ranking, Dakota College at Bottineau landed the #4 spot on the list. Dakota College at Bottineau is a small public school located in Bottineau, North Dakota that handed out 120 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $45,945 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $19,813.
Learn More About Dakota College at Bottineau
53
Associate Degrees Awarded
$20,000
Average Student Debt
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Dickinson State University. The school came in at #5 in North Dakota on this year’s best associate degree schools ranking. DSU is a public institution located in Dickinson, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 53 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $20,000.
Learn More About Dickinson State University
241
Associate Degrees Awarded
$25,122
Average Early-Career Earnings
$13,375
Average Student Debt
Williston State College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in North Dakota ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Williston, North Dakota, the small public school awarded 241 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Williston State College make an average of $25,122 a year. Associate students leave the school with an average of $13,375 in student loans.
Full Williston State College Report
214
Associate Degrees Awarded
$38,427
Average Early-Career Earnings
$16,957
Average Student Debt
Lake Region State College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in North Dakota ranking, coming in at #7. Devils Lake, North Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 214 students in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a associate degree from Lake Region State College make an average of $38,427 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $16,957 in student loans.
Learn More About Lake Region State College
9
Associate Degrees Awarded
Mayville State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in North Dakota ranking. Mayville State University is a public institution located in Mayville, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Learn More About Mayville State University
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