by our College Data Analytics TeamBismarck State College ranks #1 of 14 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Associate’s Degree Colleges in North Dakota ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 14 colleges average a 47% six-year graduation rate and $56,806 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in North Dakota, it can be hard to know where to start. Our ranking highlights **14** colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual evaluated 14 colleges across over 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Bismarck State College leads the 14 ranked colleges in North Dakota, followed by North Dakota State College Of Science (#2) and Williston State College (#3). Here are the top-ranked colleges:
Leading the list is Bismarck State College, our #1 college in North Dakota. Bismarck State College is a public school based in Bismarck, ND. Students from in state pay about $5,247 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,331. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,364 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,340 to complete a degree here.
North Dakota State College Of Science came in at #2 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in North Dakota. Set in Wahpeton, ND, North Dakota State College Of Science is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,974, with out-of-state students paying around $6,973. North Dakota State College Of Science graduates report median early-career earnings of $48,989. Typical student debt is $15,706.
The strong outcomes at Williston State College earned it the #3 place in North Dakota. Set in Williston, ND, Williston State College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,114. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $42,984. Graduates carry a median of $15,400 in student loans.
Valley City State University came in at #4 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in North Dakota. Valley City State University is a public school based in Valley City, ND. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,580, compared with $13,544 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $48,241. The median student debt is $25,074.
A rank of #5 makes Dickinson State University one of the top colleges in North Dakota. Located in Dickinson, ND, Dickinson State University is a public institution. Dickinson State University graduates 48% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,118. Dickinson State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $51,049. Graduates carry a median of $27,266 in student loans.
Lake Region State College placed #6 among the best colleges in North Dakota. Based in Devils Lake, ND, Lake Region State College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,520. Lake Region State College graduates report median early-career earnings of $48,331. Lake Region State College students take on a median of $15,784 in debt.
Mayville State University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Mayville State University is a public school based in Mayville, ND. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,979, while out-of-state students pay about $11,237. Early-career graduates earn a median of $49,971. Typical student debt is $27,464.
Rasmussen College North Dakota landed the #8 spot in North Dakota this year. Based in Fargo, ND, Rasmussen College North Dakota is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,404 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $45,427. Typical student debt is $28,798.
Dakota College At Bottineau came in at #9 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Bottineau, ND. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,388, with out-of-state students paying around $6,294. Early-career graduates earn a median of $66,195. Students borrow a median of $19,161 to complete a degree here.
Turtle Mountain Community College landed the #10 spot in North Dakota this year. Located in Belcourt, ND, Turtle Mountain Community College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $2,794 in tuition and fees.
Fort Berthold Community College landed the #11 spot in North Dakota this year. Fort Berthold Community College is a public school based in New Town, ND. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,870.
Sitting Bull College landed the #12 spot in North Dakota this year. Set in Fort Yates, ND, Sitting Bull College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,010.
Cankdeska Cikana Community College placed #13 among the best colleges in North Dakota. Cankdeska Cikana Community College is a public school based in Fort Totten, ND. Students from in state pay about $3,950 in tuition and fees.
United Tribes Technical College came in at #14 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bismarck, ND. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,232.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
See our data sources and methodologies.