by our College Data Analytics TeamWith all of the graduate school options in North Dakota, narrowing things down is no easy task. We have ranked 25 graduate schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual evaluated 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 best graduate school for you depends on what you want to study. Refine the list by location and field of study, or explore other rankings below. Or choose a degree level:
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Learn more about these excellent graduate schools below:
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. About 60% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $64,378. Students borrow a median of $25,110 to complete a degree here.
Out of the 25 graduate schools in North Dakota in this year's ranking, North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #2 spot. This public school is set in Fargo, ND. About 64% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $54,076. Students borrow a median of $25,153 to complete a degree here.
You'll be in good company at Bismarck State College, which ranked #3 this year. Located in Bismarck, ND, Bismarck State College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $61,364. Bismarck State College students take on a median of $13,340 in debt.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Mary one of the top graduate schools in North Dakota. University Of Mary is a private not-for-profit school based in Bismarck, ND. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $65,565. Typical student debt is $26,983.
Out of the 25 graduate schools in North Dakota in this year's ranking, North Dakota State College Of Science landed the #5 spot. Located in Wahpeton, ND, North Dakota State College Of Science is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,974, while out-of-state students pay about $6,973. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,989 early in their careers. North Dakota State College Of Science students take on a median of $15,706 in debt.
Jamestown College did well this year, earning the #6 position. Set in Jamestown, ND, Jamestown College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,990. Median early-career earnings reach $59,681. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Valley City State University placed #7 among the best graduate schools in North Dakota. 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, compared with $13,544 for out-of-state students. Valley City State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $48,241. Students borrow a median of $25,074 to complete a degree here.
Minot State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Set 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 average $8,702. Early-career graduates earn a median of $50,645. The median student debt is $25,788.
Dickinson State University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Dickinson State University is a public school based in Dickinson, ND. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,118 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,049 early in their careers. Dickinson State University students take on a median of $27,266 in debt.
Williston State College placed #10 among the best graduate schools in North Dakota. Based in Williston, ND, Williston State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,114. Median early-career earnings reach $42,984. Students borrow a median of $15,400 to complete a degree here.
Lake Region State College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. This public school is set in Devils Lake, ND. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,520. Early-career graduates earn a median of $48,331. Lake Region State College students take on a median of $15,784 in debt.
Mayville State University landed the #12 spot in North Dakota this year. Set in Mayville, ND, Mayville State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,979, compared with $11,237 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $49,971. Students borrow a median of $27,464 to complete a degree here.
Rasmussen College North Dakota placed #13 among the best graduate schools in North Dakota. Based in Fargo, ND, Rasmussen College North Dakota is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,404. Rasmussen College North Dakota graduates report median early-career earnings of $45,427. Typical student debt is $28,798.
Dakota College At Bottineau came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Located in Bottineau, ND, Dakota College At Bottineau is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,388, compared with $6,294 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $66,195. Typical student debt is $19,161.
Turtle Mountain Community College did well this year, earning the #15 position. Turtle Mountain Community College is a private not-for-profit school based in Belcourt, ND. Students from in state pay about $2,794 in tuition and fees.
Cankdeska Cikana Community College placed #16 among the best graduate schools in North Dakota. This public school is set in Fort Totten, ND. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,950.
Sitting Bull College came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Located in Fort Yates, ND, Sitting Bull College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,010 in tuition and fees.
Fort Berthold Community College did well this year, earning the #18 position. Based in New Town, ND, Fort Berthold Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,870 in tuition and fees.
United Tribes Technical College placed #19 among the best graduate schools in North Dakota. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bismarck, ND. In-state tuition and fees average $5,232.
Lynnes Welding Training landed the #20 spot in North Dakota this year. This private for-profit school is set in Fargo, ND. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,833 early in their careers. Lynnes Welding Training students take on a median of $3,700 in debt.
The Salon Professional Academy Fargo placed #21 among the best graduate schools in North Dakota. Based in Fargo, ND, The Salon Professional Academy Fargo is a private for-profit institution. The Salon Professional Academy Fargo graduates report median early-career earnings of $26,936. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete a degree here.
The Hair Academy placed #22 among the best graduate schools in North Dakota. This private for-profit school is set in Bismarck, ND. Median early-career earnings reach $29,327. Graduates carry a median of $11,809 in student loans.
Josefs West Academy ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. This private for-profit school is set in Fargo, ND. Median early-career earnings reach $28,331. Josefs West Academy students take on a median of $9,958 in debt.
Josefs School Of Hair Design Inc Grand Forks ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. 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. Josefs School Of Hair Design Inc Grand Forks students take on a median of $9,958 in debt.
Trinity Bible College came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Located in Ellendale, ND, Trinity Bible College is a private not-for-profit institution. Trinity Bible College posts a six-year graduation rate of 39%. Students from in state pay about $19,700 in tuition and fees.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 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
More about our data sources and methodologies.
