by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in North Dakota, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Our ranking highlights **9** colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed 9 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.
Learn more about these excellent colleges below:
Leading the list is University Of North Dakota, our #1 college in North Dakota. Based in Grand Forks, ND, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $64,378. The median student debt is $25,110.
A rank of #2 makes North Dakota State University Main Campus one of the top colleges in North Dakota. Located in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $54,076. Students borrow a median of $25,153 to complete a degree here.
You'll be in good company at University Of Mary, which ranked #3 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bismarck, ND. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,356. University Of Mary graduates report median early-career earnings of $65,565. Graduates carry a median of $26,983 in student loans.
You'll be in good company at Bismarck State College, which ranked #4 this year. Bismarck State College is a public school based in Bismarck, ND. Students from in state pay about $5,247 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $61,364. The median student debt is $13,340.
Jamestown College came in at #5 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in North Dakota. Set in Jamestown, ND, Jamestown College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,990. Early-career graduates earn a median of $59,681. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete a degree here.
Valley City State University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Valley City State University is a public school based in Valley City, ND. Valley City State University graduates 53% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,580, with out-of-state students paying around $13,544. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,241 early in their careers. The median student debt is $25,074.
Minot State University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Minot State University is a public school based in Minot, ND. Minot State University graduates 45% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,702. Median early-career earnings reach $50,645. Minot State University students take on a median of $25,788 in debt.
Dickinson State University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Based in Dickinson, ND, Dickinson State University is a public institution. About 48% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,118. Dickinson State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $51,049. The median student debt is $27,266.
Mayville State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. This public school is set in Mayville, ND. Mayville State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 40%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,979, compared with $11,237 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $49,971. The median student debt is $27,464.
Rasmussen College North Dakota did well this year, earning the #10 position. Located in Fargo, ND, Rasmussen College North Dakota is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,404. Early-career graduates earn a median of $45,427. Students borrow a median of $28,798 to complete a degree here.
Turtle Mountain Community College did well this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Belcourt, ND, Turtle Mountain Community College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,794.
Sitting Bull College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Located in Fort Yates, ND, Sitting Bull College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,010.
United Tribes Technical College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Based in Bismarck, ND, United Tribes Technical College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,232.
Trinity Bible College landed the #14 spot in North Dakota this year. Located in Ellendale, ND, Trinity Bible College is a private not-for-profit institution. Trinity Bible College graduates 39% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $19,700 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. 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.
