by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the graduate school options in North Dakota, narrowing things down is no easy task. This list ranks **6** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual evaluated 6 graduate schools on more than 20 objective measures 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.
The top-ranked graduate schools span the following early-career salary range:
Here are the top-ranked graduate schools:
Leading the list is University Of North Dakota, our #1 graduate school in North Dakota. Based in Grand Forks, ND, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. University Of North Dakota graduates 60% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Median early-career earnings reach $64,378. The median student debt is $25,110.
You'll be in good company at North Dakota State University Main Campus, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $54,076. Typical student debt is $25,153.
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%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,356. Median early-career earnings reach $65,565. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete a degree here.
A rank of #4 makes Jamestown College one of the top graduate schools in North Dakota. This private not-for-profit school is set in Jamestown, ND. 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. The median student debt is $27,000.
Dickinson State University came in at #5 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in North Dakota. Located in Dickinson, ND, Dickinson State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,118. Dickinson State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $51,049. Typical student debt is $27,266.
Valley City State University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Valley City, ND. Valley City State University graduates 53% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,580, while out-of-state students pay about $13,544. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $48,241. Typical student debt is $25,074.
Mayville State University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Set in Mayville, ND, Mayville State University is a public institution. Mayville State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 40%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,979, while out-of-state students pay about $11,237. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,971 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $27,464.
Minot State University landed the #8 spot in North Dakota this year. Minot State University is a public school based in Minot, ND. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $8,702. Early-career graduates earn a median of $50,645. Minot State University students take on a median of $25,788 in debt.
Trinity Bible College did well this year, earning the #9 position. Set in Ellendale, ND, Trinity Bible College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 39% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $19,700 in tuition and fees.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools 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
See our data sources and methodologies.
