by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in North Dakota, it can be hard to know where to start. This list ranks **6** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual analyzed 6 colleges using more than 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.
Here are the top-ranked colleges:
No school ranked higher than Bismarck State College this year in North Dakota. Based in Bismarck, ND, Bismarck State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,247, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. 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. This public school is set in Wahpeton, ND. Students from in state pay about $5,974 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,973 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $48,989. The median student debt is $15,706.
A rank of #3 makes Williston State College one of the top colleges in North Dakota. This public school is set in Williston, ND. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,114. Williston State College graduates report median early-career earnings of $42,984. The median student debt is $15,400.
A rank of #4 makes Dickinson State University one of the top colleges in North Dakota. Set in Dickinson, ND, Dickinson State University is a public institution. About 48% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,118. Median early-career earnings reach $51,049. Dickinson State University students take on a median of $27,266 in debt.
Out of the 6 colleges in North Dakota in this year's ranking, Lake Region State College landed the #5 spot. Lake Region State College is a public school based in Devils Lake, ND. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,520. Early-career graduates earn a median of $48,331. The median student debt is $15,784.
Mayville State University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Located in Mayville, ND, Mayville State University is a public institution. About 40% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $7,979 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,237 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $49,971. Graduates carry a median of $27,464 in student loans.
Rasmussen College North Dakota came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Set in Fargo, ND, Rasmussen College North Dakota is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,404. Median early-career earnings reach $45,427. Rasmussen College North Dakota students take on a median of $28,798 in debt.
Dakota College At Bottineau did well this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Bottineau, ND, Dakota College At Bottineau is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,388, compared with $6,294 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $66,195. Dakota College At Bottineau students take on a median of $19,161 in debt.
Turtle Mountain Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Set in Belcourt, ND, Turtle Mountain Community College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,794.
Cankdeska Cikana Community College came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Set in Fort Totten, ND, Cankdeska Cikana Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,950.
Sitting Bull College placed #11 among the best colleges in North Dakota. Sitting Bull College is a public school based in Fort Yates, ND. Students from in state pay about $4,010 in tuition and fees.
Fort Berthold Community College placed #12 among the best colleges in North Dakota. 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.
United Tribes Technical College came in at #13 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bismarck, ND. Students from in state pay about $5,232 in tuition and fees.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Colleges are scored on 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
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.