by our College Data Analytics TeamUniversity Of North Dakota ranks #1 of 15 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges in North Dakota ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 15 colleges average a 52% six-year graduation rate and $63,621 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. This list ranks **15** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual reviewed 15 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.
University Of North Dakota leads the 15 ranked colleges in North Dakota, followed by North Dakota State University Main Campus (#2) and University Of Mary (#3). Learn more about these excellent colleges below:
Our analysis found University Of North Dakota to be the best college in North Dakota. Set in Grand Forks, ND, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $64,378. University Of North Dakota students take on a median of $25,110 in debt.
You'll be in good company at North Dakota State University Main Campus, which ranked #2 this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public school based in Fargo, ND. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Median early-career earnings reach $54,076. Graduates carry a median of $25,153 in student loans.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Mary one of the top colleges in North Dakota. Located in Bismarck, ND, University Of Mary is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $65,565. Graduates carry a median of $26,983 in student loans.
Out of the 15 colleges in North Dakota in this year's ranking, Bismarck State College landed the #4 spot. Located in Bismarck, ND, Bismarck State College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,247 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,331. Median early-career earnings reach $61,364. Typical student debt is $13,340.
A rank of #5 makes Valley City State University one of the top colleges in North Dakota. Valley City State University is a public school based in Valley City, ND. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,580, while out-of-state students pay about $13,544. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,241 early in their careers. The median student debt is $25,074.
Jamestown College did well this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Jamestown, ND, Jamestown College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,990. Median early-career earnings reach $59,681. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete a degree here.
Minot State University landed the #7 spot in North Dakota this year. This public school is set in Minot, ND. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Minot State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $50,645. Graduates carry a median of $25,788 in student loans.
Dickinson State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Dickinson, ND, Dickinson State University is a public institution. Dickinson State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 48%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,118. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $51,049. Typical student debt is $27,266.
Mayville State University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Mayville, ND, Mayville State University is a public institution. Mayville State University graduates 40% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,979, compared with $11,237 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,971 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $27,464.
Rasmussen College North Dakota did well this year, earning the #10 position. Set in Fargo, ND, Rasmussen College North Dakota is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,404. Early-career graduates earn a median of $45,427. Graduates carry a median of $28,798 in student loans.
Turtle Mountain Community College placed #11 among the best colleges in North Dakota. Based 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 came in at #12 in this year's ranking. 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 placed #13 among the best colleges in North Dakota. Based in Fort Yates, ND, Sitting Bull College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,010.
United Tribes Technical College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bismarck, ND. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,232.
Trinity Bible College placed #15 among the best colleges in North Dakota. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ellendale, ND. Trinity Bible College graduates 39% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $19,700.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This list is compiled 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
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
