by our College Data Analytics TeamUniversity Of North Dakota ranks #1 of 25 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Colleges in North Dakota ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 52% six-year graduation rate and $53,891 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, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. We have ranked **25** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual reviewed 25 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.
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University Of North Dakota leads the 25 ranked colleges in North Dakota, followed by North Dakota State University Main Campus (#2) and Bismarck State College (#3). Here are the top-ranked colleges:
University Of North Dakota earned the #1 spot in this year's Best Colleges ranking in North Dakota. University Of North Dakota is a public school based in Grand Forks, ND. About 60% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Early-career graduates earn a median of $64,378. Typical student debt is $25,110.
Out of the 25 colleges in North Dakota in this year's ranking, North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #2 spot. Located in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. North Dakota State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Early-career graduates earn a median of $54,076. Graduates carry a median of $25,153 in student loans.
The strong outcomes at Bismarck State College earned it the #3 place in North Dakota. Located in Bismarck, ND, Bismarck State College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, with out-of-state students paying around $7,331. Early-career graduates earn a median of $61,364. Graduates carry a median of $13,340 in student loans.
Out of the 25 colleges in North Dakota in this year's ranking, University Of Mary landed the #4 spot. Located in Bismarck, ND, University Of Mary is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. In-state tuition and fees run about $22,356. Graduates go on to earn a median of $65,565 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $26,983.
Out of the 25 colleges in North Dakota in this year's ranking, North Dakota State College Of Science landed the #5 spot. This public school is set in Wahpeton, ND. In-state tuition and fees average $5,974, with out-of-state students paying around $6,973. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $48,989. Students borrow a median of $15,706 to complete a degree here.
Valley City State University placed #6 among the best colleges in North Dakota. Valley City State University is a public school based in Valley City, ND. About 53% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Graduates carry a median of $25,074 in student loans.
Jamestown College did well this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Jamestown, ND, Jamestown College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $24,990. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $59,681. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Williston State College landed the #8 spot in North Dakota this year. Williston State College is a public school based in Williston, ND. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,114. Early-career graduates earn a median of $42,984. The median student debt is $15,400.
Minot State University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Based in Minot, ND, Minot State University is a public institution. Minot State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 45%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,702. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,645 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,788 to complete a degree here.
Dickinson State University came in at #10 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 average $9,118. Median early-career earnings reach $51,049. Graduates carry a median of $27,266 in student loans.
Lake Region State College placed #11 among the best colleges in North Dakota. Set in Devils Lake, ND, Lake Region State College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,520. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,331 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $15,784.
Mayville State University did well this year, earning the #12 position. This public school is set in Mayville, ND. Mayville State University graduates 40% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Students borrow a median of $27,464 to complete a degree here.
Dakota College At Bottineau did well this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Bottineau, ND, Dakota College At Bottineau is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,388, with out-of-state students paying around $6,294. Median early-career earnings reach $66,195. The median student debt is $19,161.
Rasmussen College North Dakota placed #14 among the best colleges in North Dakota. Set in Fargo, ND, Rasmussen College North Dakota is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,404. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,427 early in their careers. The median student debt is $28,798.
Turtle Mountain Community College did well this year, earning the #15 position. Located in Belcourt, ND, Turtle Mountain Community College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,794.
Fort Berthold Community College placed #16 among the best colleges in North Dakota. Set in New Town, ND, Fort Berthold Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,870.
Lynnes Welding Training ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Fargo, ND, Lynnes Welding Training is a private for-profit institution. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,833 early in their careers. The median student debt is $3,700.
Sitting Bull College landed the #18 spot in North Dakota this year. Based in Fort Yates, ND, Sitting Bull College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,010.
Cankdeska Cikana Community College did well this year, earning the #19 position. Cankdeska Cikana Community College is a public school based in Fort Totten, ND. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,950.
United Tribes Technical College came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Based in Bismarck, ND, United Tribes Technical College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,232.
The Salon Professional Academy Fargo placed #21 among the best colleges in North Dakota. Set in Fargo, ND, The Salon Professional Academy Fargo is a private for-profit institution. Graduates go on to earn a median of $26,936 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete a degree here.
The Hair Academy did well this year, earning the #22 position. The Hair Academy is a private for-profit school based in Bismarck, ND. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $29,327. The Hair Academy students take on a median of $11,809 in debt.
Josefs West Academy landed the #23 spot in North Dakota this year. Set in Fargo, ND, Josefs West Academy is a private for-profit institution. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $28,331. The median student debt is $9,958.
Trinity Bible College placed #24 among the best colleges in North Dakota. Set in Ellendale, ND, Trinity Bible College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,700.
Josefs School Of Hair Design Inc Grand Forks came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Set in Grand Forks, ND, Josefs School Of Hair Design Inc Grand Forks is a private for-profit institution. Median early-career earnings reach $28,331. Typical student debt is $9,958.
*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
More about our data sources and methodologies.
